Manager Research Administration

Department: MCC Research Administration
Salary/Grade: EXS/10

Job Summary:

Under the direction of the Senior Director of McCormick Research Administration provides strategic leadership and advanced problem solving in support of the school's research programs and mission. Acts as the chief research advisor for 3-4 departments & oversees the administration of the entire lifecycle of grants & contracts portfolio, some of which are very complex involving multiple years, venues, collaborators, subcontractors, etc. & ensures fulfillment of all requirements & compliance with rules & regulations. Provides onboarding, ongoing training, and mentorship to all staff within their departments to ensure compliant and efficient administration of sponsored research. Partners with faculty and staff to develop strategic plans regarding research initiatives, collaborations & projects that will increase overall research, and improve financial management & performance. Develops policy & procedures & recommends changes to increase productivity & effectiveness. Demonstrates positive and proactive leadership to support McCormick's growth in sponsored research. Supervises 3-5 exempt staff members.

Specific Responsibilities:

Complexity

• Typically administers or oversees entire research projects such as:
• Research portfolio for a larger department
• Government contracts
• Center or program grants
• International projects
• Master agreements with industry

Pre-Award

• Provides creative, strategic leadership in pre-award administration of research grants &/or contracts, expertly balancing customer service and compliance needs.
• Establishes procedures at the large unit level related to pre-award administration.
• Coordinates federal contract proposals, international proposals, and proposals with difficult/troublesome terms and large sponsored agreements with industry partners.
• Uses metrics to monitor report and adjust unit pre-award performance.

Post-Award

• Provides expertise regarding post-award research administration.
• Ensures that proposed projects meet goals of dept. & that necessary resources are available.
• Manages and follows through on high-risk situations.
• Coordinates or oversees application completion and detailed review & submission.
• Interprets sponsor guidelines.
• Creates procedures regarding day-to-day administrative & financial functions.
• Resolves issues with collaborators &/or other involved parties.
• Establishes procedures at the large unit level related to post-award administration.
• Manages all day-to-day grant &/or contract functions such as administration, finance, facilities, compliance, reporting, etc. ensuring timetables are created & maintained as appropriate.
• Uses metrics to monitor report and adjust unit post-award performance.
• Recommends & facilitates procedural changes in grant &/or contract administration as necessary.
• Recommends policy to enhance research administration.

Financial

• Oversees & manages all research portfolio fiscal activities, from research development to close-out activities, continually evaluating & recommending alternatives to minimize risk while maximizing goals.
• Ensures that budgets are created, proposed & administered in a fiscally responsible manner.
• Resolves complex issues such as determining appropriate & reasonable cost-sharing percentages on complex grants involving multiple locations; effort reporting problems; under- or over-spent grant budgets; recommend changes to eliminate deficit balances; overdrafts.
• Coordinates price negotiation, purchase, & ongoing maintenance support contracts of all major research equipment.
• Provides information to senior management that is used for department budgeting purposes.

Human Resources

• Hires, evaluates, promotes, &/or counsel staff.
• Oversees training for all staff regarding research administration in unit.
• Consults with faculty as grants are funded regarding job descriptions; selecting & hiring new staff; and as grants end regarding lay-offs, terminations, etc.

Compliance

• Creates, implements & oversees programs, policy & practice for dept./division designed to ensure compliance with all appropriate NU policies & practices; local, state, federal, agency & sponsor rules, regulations & requirements regarding grant &/or contract administration.
• Ensures resolution of all compliance problems & issues, including those involving research safety, animal subjects, human subjects and conflict of interest.

Supervision

• One Senior Research Administrator, 2-3 Research Administrators, and one Associate Research Administrator.
• Assigns & Reviews staff work.
• Provides ongoing feedback to director of Research Admin. regarding staff progress and areas for improvement

Miscellaneous

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of 7 years' experience required with 4 years of research administration and 3 years of research, finance, administrative or other relevant experience.

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

• Organization, time management, detail oriented
• Multi-tasking, communication
• Self-starter, diplomatic, pro-active, manage stress
• Managing people
• Provide leadership by cooperatively anticipating, coordinating, strategizing

Target hiring range for this position will be between $87,899 - $123,608 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.

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