Senior Research Administrator

Department:
SoC Administration

Salary/Grade: EXS/9

Target hiring range for this position will be between $78,482- 90,000 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

Job Summary:

Provides administrative leadership by incorporating a significant amount of experience in support of unit's research programs and mission. May provide sole support to a small to mid-sized unit, or support a portion of activities in a larger unit. Using extensive research administration experience within the same unit, coordinates all aspects of multiple grant &/or contract pre- & post-award activities. Assists in developing new funding opportunities & strategic plans regarding grants &/or contracts by providing guidance & counsel in regard to grant &/or contract administration which includes attending internal & external meetings, interpreting clauses, reviewing contracts, & resolving reporting &/or expense problems.

Reviews associated policy & procedures & recommends changes to increase productivity & effectiveness.

Please note:

Supervisor provides overall objectives & in consultation with EE develops deadlines. Work is reviewed for fulfillment of objectives & overall compliance with policy & procedures. EE completes majority of activities without direction; consulting with supervisor as needed.

EE uses judgment & an extensive amount of experience to adapt an advanced knowledge of skills, methods, practices, policies & procedures & a moderate degree of innovation, analysis, & reasoning to plan & prioritize work that is primarily project oriented & involves some extremely difficult problems &/or decisions. EE interprets policy.

Minimum of three days per week in Frances Searle building in Evanston.

Assist with website updating and maintenance as needed.

Collaboration on the Research newletter as needed.

Specific Responsibilities:

Complexity

* Typically administers multiple research projects such as:

* Complex multi-PI or multi-unit proposals, grants &/or contracts

* Research portfolio for a more complex small to mid-sized unit

* NIH U-approximately $500K+/yr. over multiple yrs.

* NIH P-approximately $500K+/yr. over multiple yrs.

* NIH T-approximately $100-$200K+/yr. over multiple yrs.

* DOD and industry awards

* Center or program grants

* Proposals with cost sharing

* Fixed-price contracts

* Non-funded negotiations such as NDAs, user agreements

Pre-Award

* Manages pre-award administration of grants and &/or contracts.

* Coordinates proposal submission.

* Coordinates budget and justification preparation.

* Completes sponsor and university proposal forms.

* Coordinates IRB and IACUC protocols; sub-recipients, facilities, administrative costs, space, and co-investigator agreements.

* Creatively and proactively evaluates and resolves problems and makes decisions.

Post-Award

* Coordinates post-award activities.

* Forecasts & provides information for reports on financial status of projects.

* Completes expenditure reviews.

* Reconciles monthly payroll entries.

* Verifies & processes cost share entries.

* Proposes resolutions to overdrafts.

* Prepares interim & final financial reports.

* Facilitates account close out activities.

* Participates in efforts to improve research administration including serving on university committees related to research administration.

Financial

* Reviews transactions and resolve issues that requires a more complex level of financial understanding such as cost-sharing &/or effort reporting knowledge.

* Provides information to senior management that is used for department budgeting purposes.

Human Resources

* Provides research administration training.

* Mentors other administrative staff in research administration.

Compliance

* Ensures compliance with all appropriate NU policies & practices; local, state, federal, agency & sponsor rules, regulations & requirements regarding grant &/or contract administration.

* Recommends changes to improve programs, policy &/or practice.

* Resolves compliance problems & issues working in conjunction with faculty.

Supervision

* Assigns & reviews staff work.

Miscellaneous

Performs 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 5 years' experience required with 2 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

Preferred Qualifications:

* 5 years research administration related experience

* Degree in finance, accounting, business, or related experience

*…