Director of Research Administration, Pre-Award, YSPH

Director of Research Administration, Pre-Award, YSPH Overview

Reporting to the Lead Administrator of the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH), this position leads and manages a team of professional staff dedicated to the pre‑award function for YSPH, responsible for preparing and submitting approximately 300 proposals per year. The role includes active oversight of all externally sponsored proposals at YSPH and the associated workflow, ensuring they are prepared accurately, efficiently and in compliance with regulations, policies, and best practices.

Responsibilities also include providing advice to YSPH leadership; ensuring appropriate oversight and administrative review of all proposals; developing, reviewing, and revising policies, procedures, and guidelines; supervising staff and managing workflow; and maintaining records and documentation.

While this role is hybrid, leaders are expected to be on campus as needed and driven by business needs.

• Lead and supervise the pre‑award team to ensure high levels of customer service, quality, efficiency and staff satisfaction and engagement.
• Provide training, support and guidance to the pre‑award unit and other personnel at the school involved with the management of grants and contracts. Lead the development and documentation of best practices, guidelines and standard operating procedures.
• Develop and use metrics to monitor workflow within the unit. Develop and manage evaluation activities to assess the effectiveness of the pre and post award function at the School. Provide regular updates to the Associate Dean of Research and Lead Administrator regarding trends.
• Actively participate in the management of sponsored project administration for the School; establish, promote and monitor cross‑functional teamwork between Pre‑ and Post‑Award Teams.
• Provide expert‑level support services to investigators and staff including the development and management of externally sponsored applications and contracts.
• Ensure that all required reports and other data are submitted accurately and on time, including monthly and annual reports, and other reports as requested by the Deans and administration.
• Serve as a liaison to University personnel regarding grant and contract requirements and the exploration and development of best practices.
• Keep abreast of laws, regulations, external and internal policies and procedures governing the administration of externally sponsored research agreements and other complex agreements and serve as a resource to faculty, staff and administration units in the School.
• Work closely with other University personnel in the development and implementation of initiatives to support the growth and management of research activities including development of training initiatives to promote best practices at all levels of research administration.

• 5 years experience in research administration.
• Knowledge of federal, state and sponsor regulations, guidelines pertaining to contract and grant administration, electronic proposal systems.