Lead Research Administrator-HYBRID - 138081

The incumbent serves as the departmental lead sponsored research administrator, providing oversight, mentorship, and advanced guidance to research administration staff.

Applies expert knowledge of federal, state, local, sponsor, and institutional regulations to direct and review complex proposal and award management activities. Works independently to resolve unique or precedent-setting issues and serves as the primary escalation point for junior research administrators.

Acts as the designated mentor for new staff and the lead for training, delegation of assignments, and professional development. Demonstrates mastery of fund-management concepts, especially those related to high complexity transactions, and ensures consistent interpretation of policy and compliance across the department. Leads or contributes to the development and implementation of policies and procedures that promote efficiency, consistency, and accountability in research administration.

Provides analytical and financial oversight for proposal processing, contract and grant administration, and budget development, including high-complexity, multi-institutional awards. Engages in pre-award and post-award activities for federal, state, local, and private sponsors, ensuring all submissions and financial actions comply with institutional and sponsor requirements. Coordinates forecasting, planning, and reporting efforts to support departmental research portfolios and ensures accurate, timely financial management. Analyzes and resolves unique financial management issues without precedent, setting new policy and administrative standards for the department.

Provide team leadership in the development of policies and procedures; approve or recommend for approval changes. This position is responsible for liaison with other teams that support trainees, scholars and fellows. This position will need to have a detailed expert level understanding of the graduate programs, stipend and fee schedules, and an ability to navigate complex funding issues related to graduate student researchers and will be responsible for developing cost projects for faculty with these populations. The position will lead the funding entry process for all student researchers, trainees, scholars and fellows.

This position of Senior Research Administrator (RA 4) reflects a higher degree of independence and experience compared to the Sr Research Administrator (RA 3) due to the following criteria-

1) Considered a subject matter expert; (2) has demonstrated mastery in job responsibilities, with minimal supervision; (3) 75% of the body of work is considered "complex." Complex is defined as:* Multi-project grants* Classified agencies* Significant volume of sub awards* Fellowship Awards* International institutions/awards* Multi-campus awards* PPG/Center Grants* Significant institutional cost sharing* Grants/Contracts with task budgets/option years* Lead RA for interim assignments

In addition to the above duties, the Lead Research Administrator will provide expert fiscal management for a full range of sponsored projects, core, operating and other restricted funds including large, complex contracts, industry service agreements, grants, cooperatives agreements, business agreements, gift funds, proposals, training grants and educational programs. Incumbent is responsible for comprehensive training grant and fellowship pre-award analysis, support, and post award administration. This position serves as liaison between between OCGA, SPF, General Accounting, AMAS and other central offices. May participate in organizational committees for research administration.

In coordination with the Director of Fiscal Affairs, leads in the development, training and implementation of complex financial reporting and analysis of revenue and expenditures for training, fellowship and educational sponsored programs. Incumbent will need to understand and interpret large sets of data to provide guidancearound business decisions for department and faculty. Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.Five (5) or more years of relevant experience, preferred.

• Extensive knowledge of program administration guidelines of Federal and non-Federal sponsors supporting research and educational activities, preferably in a university environment.

• Advanced knowledge of applicable compliance requirements related to use of human or animal subjects in research, financial conflict of interest, biosafety, etc.

• Ability to manage high volume and complex transactions.

• Ability to perform highly complex financial analysis and customized reporting.

• Demonstrated advanced competence in the use of spreadsheet and database software in financial analysis, fiscal management and financial reports.

• Ability to maintain independent judgment; strong organization and communication skills; and a customer service focus across broad and diverse subject areas.

• Maintains knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply sponsor, institutional and departmental policies. Knowledge of current compliance regulations in all areas of research administration.

• Demonstrated advanced knowledge of generally accepted accounting, fiscal and reporting principles.

• Experience with all types of award mechanisms, including grants, contracts, subcontracts, and cooperative agreements.

• Full knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation, Code of Federal Regulations, sponsor-specific policies, intellectual property policy, conflict of interest requirements, publication rights, application of indirect cost rates and other complex concepts in research administration.

• Ability to interpret policy for others. Experience mentoring new researchers in sponsored project administration.

• Extensive experience with sponsored project (pre-and post award) management for student populations and educational related award types.

*Extensive experience working with training grants, fellowships, education sponsored projects and scholarship programs.

• Extensive knowledge of payroll and personnel regulations including impact of salary scales, merits, range adjustments. Knowledge of employee benefit regulations, leave accruals, summer salary policies, and a range of flexible salary options to meet appropriate fund source uses.

• Demonstrated leadership skills and experience in providing work direction and training to professional staff, fostering innovation, service and accountability, and to give clear instructions and guidelines. Ability to delegate and assign tasks and monitor production and quality of work. Ability to teach/train staff in all aspects of job duties/responsibilities.

• Advanced understanding of the importance of ensuring an equitable, inclusive, and diverse working environment, with the ability to work as a part of a diverse and collaborative team.Demonstrated competency and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

• Willingness and demonstrated ability to embrace and consistently uphold the principles of community for a collaborative work environment.

• Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results.

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

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The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace