Research Advancement Administrator Principal

The School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning at Arizona State University is seeking a Research Advancement Administrator Principal that will be under the direct supervision of the Assistant Director of Operations. The functions of this position will be to support all pre-award activities, proposal edits, finding funding opportunities, and nominal post-award support to research investigators in SGSUP and its affiliated Centers.

This position will ensure ongoing compliance with all applicable federal, state, sponsor, university and ABOR standards, regulations and requirements. Research Advancement staff also serve as liaisons across campus between colleges, schools, departments and research investigators in their interactions with the Office of Research and Sponsored Project Administration (ORSPA).

The ideal candidate for this position will be someone that enjoys being part of a collaborative, fast-paced team environment that directly supports sponsored Pre and Post award activity for researchers and research at ASU. They should be someone that has a strong attention to detail, values continuous improvement, enjoys complex problem solving, is comfortable working to meet deadlines, and is looking to grow their grant administration skills.

Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in a related field. Seven years’ experience in any combination of the following areas: proposal submissions, contract negotiation, grant and contract administration and financial administration, OR Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skill and abilities have been achieved.

Working Environment:

• Activities are primarily performed in a regular and climate-controlled office setting subject to extended periods of sitting.
• Use office equipment including a desktop computer Lift up to 20 pounds.
• Communicate to perform essential duties
• Work both independently and within a complex structured team
• Ability to interpret complex sponsor regulations.
• Ability to present information best practices to all levels of content consumers.
• Normally receives no instructions on routine work and general instructions on new assignments with review of completed tasks.
• Exercises judgment within broadly defined practices & policies in selecting methods, techniques & evaluation criteria for obtaining results.
• Expected to be responsive to customers, engaged in work production, resourceful, flexible, and respectful of others.

ASU is a diverse enterprise with a wide variety of work and learning modes, locations and a commitment to sustainability, innovation and employee work-life balance. We are determined to maintain our position as an employer of choice in a competitive labor market.

Essential Duties:

• Performs funding searches to help identify opportunities; Reviews funding announcements and providing guidance on eligibility and sponsor requirements; Contacts sponsors for clarification of application guidelines.
• Reviews proposals against guidelines before sending to the Office of Research and Sponsored Project Administration; Submits applications to Office of Research and Sponsored Project Administration for review, approvals, and transmittal to sponsor.
• Acts as an administrative resource to ASU research investigators, provides assistance, guidance and counsel during development, pre-submission administrative review, management, authorization and transmittal of grant and contract proposals to federal, state, and private funding agencies to verify and ensure ongoing compliance with all applicable regulatory and financial compliance requirements.
• Assists faculty or research staff with post-award grants and contracts processes, including providing information, guidance, and interpretation of complex federal and state regulations governing management of grants and contracts.
• Provides sponsored project budget control and establish budget control system for controlling expenditures. Monitor and reconcile established accounts, including understanding how to reconcile indirect costs, and providing accounting-related status reports on a regular basis and/or as requested.
• Assists with all areas of award management, which will include but are not limited to: Guidance and assistance in preparing administrative post award management including At-Risks, Pre-Award Costs, re-budgets, No Cost Extensions, and all other Award Change actions; Monthly account monitoring and reconciling; Expense Transfers; ATF Effort Reporting; Resource to research investigators and departmental business staff on Sponsor policies and regulations regarding the administration of award funds; Monitors compliance issues and assist in resolution; Account Forecasting; Account close out.
• Provides unit researchers with technical advice related to sponsored projects, including review of sponsor terms and conditions, problem-solving assistance, corrective action recommendations and policy interpretation.
• Acts as administrative resource to ASU research investigators and ORSPA staff to resolve problems and correct errors in fund management to ensure timely collection of revenue through accurate presentation of invoices.
• Ensures that accounts and records are compliant with pertinent university and/or outside agency policies, procedures and regulations.
• Works with departmental financial/HR staff to review appropriateness of financial and HR transactions posting to the grants and assist with corrections as needed.
• Manages awarded projects in accordance with University and sponsor regulations; prepares standard and non-standard accounting reports for the ASU research investigators; identifies and rectifies errors and omissions to reduce opportunities for discrepancies.
• Provides account monitoring and reconciling, expense transfers, custom reporting for unit leadership.
• Provides back up support on post-award processes based on department need.
• Proposes relevant departmental best practices, present findings and serve as a team lead as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Desired Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge of policies, procedures and requirements of applicable regulations governing management of grants and contracts.
• Experience in pre and post-award sponsored projects management functions and practices within a university environment.
• Demonstrated operational knowledge of applicable government and sponsor websites and portals, such as National Science Foundation(NSF)’s Research.gov and FastLane, National Institute of Health (NIH)’s eRA, etc. Experience in using Microsoft Office programs, such as Outlook, Word, and Excel, with a strong emphasis on advanced use of Excel (formulas, Pivot Tables, etc.).
• Working knowledge of ASU systems, such as Workday, PeopleSoft, Analytic Reports, Enterprise Research Administration System (ERA), Concur, BI Desktop, PaymentNet, and KE Forecasting Tool
• Experience in determining allowability for participant support costs and processing of their payments, human subject pay cash advances, and engaging with independent contractors/consultants.
• Experience preparing detailed financial reconciliations and expense tracking reports for sponsored grants and contracts.
• Experience in preparing detailed documents, proposals, reports, and/or related materials.
• Experience in utilizing knowledge of research administration to identify solutions to issues.
• Experience working with local and state funded cost sharing commitments.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal regulations as they apply to research administration (Uniform Guidance) for Post-Award Services.
• Experience in working independently exercising analytical skills and decision making in an environment subject to minimal direction/supervision.
• Experience working with sub-award organizations.
• Experience in working effectively in an environment subject to regularly changing priorities and strict deadlines requiring regular follow through.
• Evidence of effective communication skills.

Department Statement:

The School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning (SGSUP) is a major participant in the instructional and research activities of Arizona State University. Our staff team of 19 supports 37 tenure/tenure-track faculty including three members of the National Academy of Sciences, over 1000 undergraduate majors (split between campus and online) and 200+ graduate students studying in one of five graduate degree programs (MA and PhD programs in Geography, a PhD in Urban Planning, a Masters in Urban and Environmental Planning and a Master of Advanced Studies in Geographical Information Systems(with more on the way) as well as graduate certificate programs in GIS and transportation. SGSUP has grown quickly in the past year, especially via online enrollment, and more new programs are due to launch on-campus and online in the next two years. More complete school and program information can be found at http://sgsup.asu.edu/.

ASU Statement:
Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 100,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions intellectual and cultural diversity, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.

ASU is a tobacco-free university. For details visit https://wellness.asu.edu/explore-wellness/body/alcohol-and-drugs/tobacco

Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

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Grant Funded Position:
This is not a grant funded position and is not contingent on future grant funding.