Sr. Manager, Research Administration; Contracts - Hybrid

Sr. Manager, Research Administration (Contracts) - Hybrid Overview

The Office of Research Administration (ORA) is the University's institutional office responsible for reviewing, endorsing and submitting proposals to extramural sponsors for research, clinical trials, training, instructional and other sponsored activities. As a leader in the Office of Research Administration (ORA), the Senior Manager, Research Administration (Contracts), is integrally involved in, and supervises a team responsible for, the review and analysis of complex sponsored project agreements and provides research administration services to a portfolio of academic departments and research units, including acting as one of the institutional liaisons with external sponsors to support the University mission.

This includes ensuring that sponsored project agreements are consistent with sponsors and University policies and guidelines, while providing outstanding customer service to faculty and support staff. Moreover, the Senior Manager, Contracts participates in development of efficient work processes, policies and procedures and drafting of various support documents, templates and other tools to facilitate drafting, reviewing and processing of research agreements.

CORE JOB FUNCTIONS

Conducts and leads a team responsible for, the drafting, review, analysis, and negotiation of outbound subaward terms and conditions and conducts subrecipient risk assessment, including reviewing audits, consistent with University guidelines on behalf of the University. Interacts with other ORA personnel, Principal Investigators and study teams, Compliance, IRB (Human Subject Research Office), Technology Transfer, Risk Management, and other relevant offices to ensure that research initiation is managed in an efficient and effective manner consistent with UM policies and procedures.

Maintains advanced knowledge of applicable OMB circulars, NIH Policy Statement and other applicable regulations.
Leverages real-time dashboards to monitor team performance, ensuring the team consistently meets or exceeds Service Level Agreement Key Performance Indicators.Drives a culture of accountabilityby basing team performance assessments on measurable data. Identifies process inefficienciesthrough data analysis and suggest/implement improvements. Provides updates and status and performance reports to senior management on a regular basis by tracking relevant data using University systems and other tools and provides leadership with metrics, including through output and turnaround time.

Oversees, trains, and mentors staff in assigned team. Partners with other departments to facilitate transparent and accountable research administration and coordinate documentation and approval processes. Maintains effective relationships with sponsor representatives to facilitate communication. Establishes and continuously assesses the effectiveness of the internal controls within the unit and compliance with University policies and procedures. Ensures employees are trained on controls within the function and on University policy and procedures.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.

CORE QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field. Master’s degree in relevant field preferred.

Certification and Licensing:

CRA, CFRA, or CHRC certification preferred.

Experience:

Minimum 7 years of relevant experience, ideally in an academic setting. Appropriate combination of relevant education and/or experience may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes:

Knowledge of business and management principles.

Extensive knowledge of research administration, preferably in an academic institution.

Extensive knowledge of sponsored program regulations; specific areas of expertise in proposal preparation, contracting, accounting, and finance principles.

Ability to efficiently research complex information and use it for establishment and improvement of work processes, reporting and data analysis.

Excellent written and oral communication.

Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills.

High…