Senior Director of Research Administration

Department: MCC Research Administration
Salary/Grade: EXS/12

Job Summary:

The Director leads the strategic management and day-to-day operation of the Office of Research Administration at The McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science (McC) at Northwestern University (NU). The position reports to the Senior Associate Dean for Operations and Research. In recent years, McC has experienced significant growth both in proposals to and awards from external funding agencies. Currently at Northwestern, McCormick research expenditures are second only to the Feinberg School of Medicine in dollar amount.

The Director oversees pre- and post-award research administration for nine academic departments and several research centers representing more than 180 Principal Investigators (PIs) as well as inter-disciplinary research administration with the Feinberg School of Medicine and five other schools at NU. The Director is responsible for compliance with federal and other sponsor policies and NU policies and procedures as well as establishing McC policies and procedures that are aligned with those at the University level. This position supervises 17 exempt staff members. The Director position interacts with management heads of other units at NU, including the Office of Research (OR), Office of Sponsored Research (OSR), Innovation and New Ventures (INVO), Accounting Services for Research & Sponsored Programs (ASRSP), NU and McC Corporate Relations, and external sponsors in support of McC's research mission.

Specific Responsibilities:

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

• Lead the vision, mission and operating principles of the McC Office of Research Administration
• Communicate and collaborate with McC's 180+ PIs in support of their research efforts
• Structure the McC Office of Research Administration staff to best serve the requirements of the office and the needs of the faculty
• Develop collaborative relationships with the NU Office of Research (OR) including the Office for Sponsored Research (OSR), Office for Research Safety (ORS), Office of Research Integrity (ORI), and INVO, as well as the NU Office of Accounting Services for Research & Sponsored Programs (ASRSP)
• Ensure operational excellence in the services offered by the McC Office of Research Administration in support of McC's research mission
• Establish and employ best practices in research administration based on NU and peer institution review
• Identify sponsored funding opportunities aligned with McC strategy and strengths
• Work with McC administration in developing strategy and policy related to research administration

POLICY, PROCEDURE & COMPLIANCE

• Ensure institutional and regulatory compliance including matters relating to NU Cost Accounting Standards, OSR, ACUC, IRB, and ASRSP (includes effort reporting, cost sharing, sub-recipient monitoring, salary restrictions, etc.)
• Determine McC research administration procedures to enable uniform compliance
• Oversee the collection, interpretation and communication (and sometimes development) of external, NU and McC policies and procedures. Ensure that the policies are articulated to to key stakeholders - PIs and staff

OPERATIONS

• Oversee the administrative and budget development portions of proposals and submission of materials to OSR
• Ensure timely and accurate pre- and post-award and close-out management across the school
• Collaborate with Department Chairs and department Business Administrators (BAs) to achieve each department's research mission and goals; provide analysis and recommendation of financial research administration procedures in department
• Nurture a collaborative culture with McC BAs and McC Administrators
• Oversee the annual preparation of research expenditure reports and analysis for internal and external reports and surveys, including ASEE and USNews and World Report
• Serve as McC school signatory for external proposal submissions
• Serve as Level 3 approver for financial transactions on sponsored projects
• Initiate regular and ad hoc analysis and reporting of McC research administration metrics
• Work with staff and upper administration to problem-solve situations involving sponsored research
• Collaborate with McC Administration, Finance, and Planning on salary recovery, recharge centers, cost-sharing, and other administrative matters
• Provide advanced problem solving in support of McC's research operation.

STAFF SUPERVISION

• Supervise and mentor 17 McC Research Administration staff including recruitment, hiring, training and performance management
• Manage the assimilation of RAs into their individual department
• Other duties as assigned by the Dean

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Bachelor's degree in finance or business management or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired.
• 5-7 years' experience in research administration with progressively larger responsibilities
• 3+ years' successful staff management and supervisory experience including mentoring and training experience

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Demonstrated competency in senior management responsibilities, including strategic planning, leadership, financial stewardship and organizational teamwork
• Working knowledge of OMB Circulars affecting an institution of higher education, the Federal Demonstration Partnership/Research Terms & Conditions and other relevant federal agencies'-specific terms and conditions
• Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal and analytic skills
• Ability to work independently and in groups as a valued team member
• Proven success as a problem solver and in managing multiple projects while maintaining staff satisfaction
• Professional maturity, personal integrity proven ability to approach matters with diplomacy
• Knowledge of Research.gov, Grants.gov, and other electronic proposal/award management systems
• Knowledge of basic intellectual property principles

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Master's Degree
• Research Administration experience at a senior level in a major research university

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Knowledge of academic business enterprise systems such as PeopleSoft, InfoEd, ERS, Cognos.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $107,049 - $150,539 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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