Director, Post Award

Primary Function

The Director oversees all activities necessary for the compliant acceptance and administration of sponsored programs in research, public service, instruction, and artistry programs at Northern Illinois University. The position oversees critical functions in the performance of award acceptance and management. As an authorized organizational official ( AOR ) the Director has the authority to contractually bind the university through sponsored proposals, awards, progress reports, financial reports, amendments, and subrecipient agreements.
The Director must appreciate the role of faculty and staff in a university research environment, and utilize her/his technical knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, and institutional policies and procedures to maximize faculty productivity and success while complying with applicable requirements. Doing so requires the Director to stay abreast of new issues emerging within research administration and collaborate regularly with other administrative and academic campus units to promote a culture of faculty support while ensuring compliance with federal, state and other sponsor regulations, policies, procedures, and audit requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities (generally)

Oversee the award acceptance and management functions in the office of Sponsored Programs Administration ( SPA ). Award management includes both financial accounting and non-financial post award management.
SPA is an evolving office structuring itself to meet the needs of an emerging research university. The individual assuming this position must be comfortable serving as a change agent to balance compliance and service in a dynamic and shifting environment.

Minimum Required Qualifications for this position

1. Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, economics or a field related to the position and 6 years of post award research administration experience (Note: Master’s Degree in an area consistent with the duties of the position may be substituted for one (1) year of work experience.)

2. 2 years of management and supervisory experience

Specialty Factors (Additional Required Qualifications)

1. Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, economics or a field related to the position and 6 years of post award research administration experience (Note: Master’s Degree in an area consistent with the duties of the position may be substituted for one (1) year of work experience.)

2. 2 years of management and supervisory experience

Education and Experience Preferred

CRA, CFRA, or CPA .
Experience managing post-award research finances and audits, including Single Audit.
Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
Ability to apply accounting skills and concepts
Experience with implementing technology solutions to streamline business processes and enhance compliance.
Knowledge of PeopleSoft Financial Management System ( FMS ), PeopleSoft Human Resource System ( HRS ), or InfoEd
Membership experience in an appropriate professional organization such as NACCA, NACUBO, SRAI, NCURA, FDP, COGR, etc.

List the knowledge, skills, and abilities critical to the performance of this position.

Working Hours
37.5
Minimum Pay Rate (Hourly or Monthly)
$8,333.34/month
Hiring Rate Information

Actual hiring rate is commensurate with experience, education, and internal equity; position includes a robust benefits package to eligible applicants.

Posting Date
06/02/2021
Closing Date
07/01/2021
Priority Review Date

Special Instructions to Applicants

• Fully complete the Education and Work History sections of the application. Be specific on your entire work history, including employment dates and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position, however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience.
• If you have education and/or training in excess of what is required, we encourage you to upload your unofficial transcripts.
• After the posting has closed, your submission will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the classification, including any specialty factors associated with this particular position.
• Please monitor your e-mail for further information regarding your application. Emails will be generated from jobs@niu.edu and CivilServiceTesting@niu.edu . Please add these emails to your address book to ensure timely delivery of any future communication.
• We STRONGLY recommend that contact information used in your online profile be personal use, not professional/work information: personal email address, home address, and phone numbers. The information you provide is used to make contact on search updates, department referrals and interviews, etc. We must be able to relay sensitive and important information in a way that protects your privacy concerning job search activity, now and in the future.
• The Civil Service examination for this classification is a Credentials Assessment, and is based on your application materials as submitted for this posting. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, you will receive a score based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register. After the application deadline, the names within the top three scores will be referred to the hiring department for interview.
• Once this position has been filled, all names will be removed from the employment register in accordance with State Universities Civil Service System rule 250.60(h)(10) .
• If eligible for Veteran’s Preference Points, DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256 paperwork reflecting an Honorable Discharge MUST be uploaded to this application in order to receive the maximum eligible points on the Civil Service examination.
• Click on Program Director for more information including salary ranges, typical duties, minimum acceptable qualifications, and testing requirements.
• Please click Human Resource Services – Benefits for detailed information about Northern Illinois University’s benefits package.
• Employment is contingent upon your passing a criminal background investigation. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Link to Department Homepage
Sponsored Programs Administration
Physical Demands

EEO Statement

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Ethics and Compliance Officer, Title IX Coordinator
Health Services 230
TitleIXCoordinator@niu.edu
815-753-5560

Is Background Check Required
Yes
Visa Policy

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

ADA Accommodation

NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person’s disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form . For further assistance, please contact the office of Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity and Education ( AAEOE ) at ada@niu.edu .

Clery Act Information

NIU provides information regarding campus security, personal and fire safety, including topics such as: crime prevention, emergency response procedures and crime reporting policies, in addition to crime and fire statistics for the most recent three calendar years. The Annual Security Report containing security and safety information is available at www.safety.niu.edu/clery or by contacting the University Police Department and Public Safety Department at 815-753-9628 to receive a hard copy. The Annual Fire Safety Report is available at www.niu.edu/clery/fire_report.pdf or by contacting the Environmental Health and Safety Department at 815-753-0404 to receive a hard copy.

Quick Link
https://employment.niu.edu/postings/57144
Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * What is your highest level of completed education?
   • High School/GED
   • Bachelor's Degree
   • Master's Degree
   • PhD
2. What field/major is your degree in?
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   
3. * How many years of professional work experience do you have in post award research administration?
   • 0-5 years
   • 5-6 years
   • 6-7 years
   • 7-8 years
   • 8-9 years
   • 9 or more years
4. Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or resume.
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   
5. * How many years of work experience in a supervisory role do you possess?
   • 0-2 years
   • 2-4 years
   • 4-6 years
   • 6 or more years
6. Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or resume.
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   

Applicant Documents
Required Documents

1. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2. Cover Letter
3. List of at least 3 References

Optional Documents

1. Military Discharge Documents ONLY (DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256)
2. Transcripts (unofficial with official required at hire)
3. Transcripts #2 (unofficial with official required at hire)
4. Transcripts #3 (unofficial with official required at hire)