Research Administrator - School of Nursing

The University of Maryland, School of Nursing (UMSON) is currently recruiting for a Research Administrator.  The Research Administrator will provide high level of expertise in guiding faculty on all aspects of both pre- and post-award management of external funding.

UMB offers a generous benefits package that includes 22 vacation days, 14 floating and holidays, 15 sick days; comprehensive health insurance and retirement options; and tuition remission for employees and their dependents at any of the University System of Maryland schools.

UMB requires all faculty, staff, and students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Exemptions for medical or religious reasons will be processed through Human Resources.

Primary Duties:

• Provide expert direction for unit and/or team of research administration staff by balancing pre-award proposals application and/or submissions and administration of multiple post award activities are executed. Responsible for contracts and grants administration and maximizing funds available to conduct research. Ensure department grants and contracts comply with all federal and state legal requirements and UMB policies.
• Develop and implement policy statements and annual project plans. Provide direction for operational aspects of contracts and grant management business operation matters. Assist in the development of the department’s research strategic plan in accordance with UMB priorities. Provides PI and management with ad hoc reports in support of strategic plan.
• Manage the preparation and review of grant and contract budgets and applications. Finalize documents for submission. Validate proposal error or warnings.  Knowledgeable in all funding mechanisms.  Provide guidance on staffing and budgetary requirements. 
• Review, interpret, communicate, and ensure sponsor guidelines are in compliance and eligibility information is defined within proposals.  Interact directly with designation sponsor representatives to clarify ambiguous terms and conditions, and to request supplemental funding, no cost extensions, and other administrative requests.
• Manage all grants submitted including tracking individual faculty grant histories, success rates by agency, and providing faculty with historical perspectives. Review purchase order requests on equipment and large supply orders to ensure funding available and policies are followed. Administer lifecycle research administration budget from initiation through closeout and all results are completed and submitted to sponsor timely.
• Manage all financial transactions, documentation, and sub awards.  Ensure PI maintain proper spending of all research funding.  Investigate outstanding payments from deliverable project.  Perform close out audit to ensure all payments have been received in line with the cost analysis.
• Identify issues and independently resolve and assist others in issue resolution as needed. Anticipate roadblocks and able to independently resolve.
• Develop criteria for review of grant and contract applications. Review and interpret funding guidelines and regulations and advises faculty as to policies and procedures of those agencies. Identify future funding opportunities and work with PI to identify components.
• Develops timeline to meet submission deadlines and checklist of required documents and adjusts timeline to adapt to change. Recommend overall adjustments in effort allocation and spending across investigator portfolio. Consult with PI to translate program requirements into contract terms. Identify, develop, and ensure contract requirements contain quantifiable specification and measurable performance criteria. Validate the performance criteria will meet the requirements.
• Develop safeguards to ensure the integrity of grant administration or contracts and protects the University from financial losses.  Ensure sub awards are in compliance with terms and conditions of the award. 
• Provide direction in definition of partnership. Establish review criteria to understand if partnership is a vendor vs. subcontract.
• Interpret data for the purpose of determining past financial performance to develop and prepare financial reports for financial analysis, forecasting, and trending.  Devise financial reporting tools and reports.
• Model and train staff on the consultative approach to problem solving and negotiation with internal and external constituents to achieve unit’s goals. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education: Bachelor’s degree. Master’s degree preferred.

Experience: Six (6) years progressively building a research administrative background with at least four (4) years in full life-cycle research administration.

Supervisory Experience: One (1) year of work coordination or training of others preferred.

Certification/Licensure: Clinical Research Associate (CRA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) preferred.

Other: Financial disclosure reporting required by state of Maryland Ethics Committee.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Thorough knowledge of position requirements. Thorough knowledge of all applicable requirements, regulations and laws.  Skill in effective use of applicable technology/systems. Ability to effectively communicate both verbal and written thoughts, ideas, and facts. Ability to support a mission and strategic vision. Instructional, training, and teambuilding skills to strengthen and cultivate relationships. Skill in consultation and change management. 

Hiring Range: Mid-$80,000s to high $90,000s; Commensurate with education and experience.

UMB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law or policy. For assistance related to employment, please contact the Staffing department at HRJobs@umaryland.edu.

If you anticipate needing a reasonable accommodation for a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), during any part of the employment process, please submit a https://umbforms.wufoo.com/forms/umb-job-applicant-accommodation-request/" href="https://umbforms.wufoo.com/forms/umb-job-applicant-accommodation-request/" target="_blank">UMB Job Applicant Accommodation Request. You may also contact HRDiversity@umaryland.edu. Please note that only inquiries concerning an ADA request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.