Associate Director for Pre-Award

Associate Director for Pre-Award

Job no: 527755
Work type: Officer of Administration
Location: Eugene, OR
Categories: Administrative/Professional, Research/Scientific/Grants

Department: Sponsored Projects Services
Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing
Salary: Commensurate with experience
FTE: 1.0

Application Review Begins
August 1, 2021; position open until filled.

Special Instructions to Applicants
Please include the following items with your online application: a resume/CV, a cover letter, and three professional references.

Department Summary
Sponsored Projects Services (SPS) works with the University community -- especially faculty principal investigators (PIs) and department grant administrators (DGAs) but also including UO administrative officials, business managers, and affiliated organizations such as the UO Foundation -- to provide services in two main areas:

1) Proposal Preparation and Clearance -- from application materials and budget assistance to final review, official endorsement, and submission of proposals to funding agencies (public and private) for support of research, instruction, and public service projects.

2) Grant and Contract Administration -- review, negotiation, and acceptance of awards and account set up through the award's administration, financial reporting, and final closeout.

As part of an institutional commitment to streamline research support, SPS is part of developing a Research Administration Portal (RAP) and will be implementing Huron's research administration suite for effort reporting and award management starting in 2022.

Position Summary
The Associate Director for Pre-Award (Associate Director) reports to the Executive Director and works with them to provide vision, support, and leadership on all matters related to pre-award administration of sponsored projects. The Associate Director will supervise the Pre-Award Sponsored Projects Administrators (SPAs) and will oversee pre-award functions including assignment and oversight of workload, ongoing evaluation and mentoring, and assisting with the workload as appropriate. This position will ensure a culture of service balanced with compliance, actively moderating and resolving any customer concerns.

The Associate Director manages relationships, expectations, and interactions with the UO research community while serving as a liaison for SPS's internal clients (Principal Investigators (PIs), Centers, Institutes, Academic Departments, and other administrative offices) and external clients, including both federal and non-federal sponsors. The Associate Director represents and speaks on behalf of SPS at university and/or university system-wide meetings and events, and serves as a subject matter expert, advising SPS staff and the broader research community on a variety of areas impacted by or relating to research administration. This position serves as an extension of the Executive Director of SPS and/or Vice President for Research and Innovation, acting as their representative when requested and with the authority to carry out their delegated responsibilities, and manages, leads, and completes special projects as assigned.

The Associate Director, in conjunction with the SPS Management Team and the Outreach and Training Coordinator, plans, develops, and implements trainings across a variety of research administration topics for SPS staff and the UO community, including Principal Investigators, departmental support and other UO employees. This position partners with the SPS Executive Director, the Associate Director for Post-Award, Finance, and Audit, and the Associate Director for Research Contracts on establishing and executing against department-wide initiatives and priorities, and will serve as a key partner in the implementation of the Research Administration Portal (RAP) for proposal development and submission.

The Associate Director reports on sponsored project demographic and financial information as required or requested by the UO research community, peer administrative offices, Board of Trustees, and others. This position provides estimates, analysis, recommendations, and pre-award related reports on financial data as requested by the Executive Director, the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI), and other executive officers.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree OR an equivalent combination of skills and experience.
  
• Ten years of progressively responsible experience within the field of sponsored programs administration with an emphasis on pre-award management.
  
• Five years of supervisory experience including performance evaluation and hiring activity.
  
  Experience may be gained concurrently.
  
  Professional Competencies
  
• Expertise with Banner or similar integrated fiscal/administrative information system.
  
• Advanced knowledge of and abilities related to interpreting and applying sponsor requirements, including federal regulations such as uniform guidance (2 CFR 200), federal cost accounting standards, and other administrative rules.
  
• Demonstrated ability to navigate, prepare, and submit proposals in sponsor portals (e.g., Grants.gov, FastLane, NSPIRES, NIH Assist, etc.).
  
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
  
• Demonstrated leadership and mentorship skills.
  
  Preferred Qualifications
  
• Advanced degree, preferably in research administration, finance, or other related field.
  
• Experience in a central sponsored projects office in a higher education setting.
  
• Experience in a team-based, professional setting.
  
• Experience with project management of systems implementations.
  
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) certification or Certified Pre-Award Research Administrator (CPRA) certification.
  
  FLSA Exempt: Yes
  
  All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background inquiry.
  
  The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit http://hr.uoregon.edu/careers/about-benefits.
  
  The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply, and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.
  
  UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, Office of Civil Rights Compliance, or to the Office for Civil Rights. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed on the statement of non-discrimination.
  
  In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at http://police.uoregon.edu/annual-report.
  
  
  
  To apply, visit https://careers.uoregon.edu/en-us/job/527755/associate-director-for-preaward
  
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