Director of Administration

Role Description

The Director provides strategic and operational leadership for the Office of Financial Post Award Administration, ensuring effective stewardship of sponsored funds and high-quality, service-orientated experience for principal investigators (PIs) and research staff. This role serves as the University’s primary authority on financial post-award administration and leads cross-functional collaboration to strengthen compliance, enhance financial oversight and advance a proactive solutions-oriented grants management culture.

The role ensures compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies while driving process improvements, staff training, and sponsored administration risk management in support of the University’s mission.

Reports to the Associate Vice President, Finance

Supervises subordinate staff

This position is an exempt, APA unit position and is subject to the terms of that union agreement.

Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm. Ability to work some Saturdays and evenings, as needed. This position is eligible for hybrid/ remote work in accordance with BSU remote work policy.

• Provide daily operational oversight, workload management, and service excellence for the Office of Financial Post Award Administration.
• Lead process improvement initiatives including technology adoption, financial post-award training for the research community, policy development, and reporting enhancements.
• Partner with campus stakeholders including but not limited to the Office of Grants and Sponsored Projects (OGSP), Human Resources, and the BSU Foundation to deliver seamless grant lifecycle support, advance university policies and procedures and implement best practices.
• Direct, mentor, and develop post-award staff, including performance management, training and succession planning.

• Monitor and provide authoritative interpretation of federal, state and non-governmental sponsor requirements and regulations, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200); advise faculty and staff on complex compliance matters.
• Track post-award risk metrics, identify trends, and recommend policy or process improvements to strengthen compliance.
• Represent the University in interactions with federal sponsors and agencies on financial compliance and reporting.

• Review and interpret award financial terms and conditions to ensure alignment with BSU policies and sponsored requirements. Direct the award contract execution process from OGSP approval through Finance Authorized Signatory.
• Oversee the setup of new awards, including budget set-up and payroll distributions for sponsored projects.
• Collaborate with OGSP on budget review, accuracy, and translation to Finance expense classifications.

• Direct cost transfers, prior approval requests, fringe and indirect cost accruals, additional compensation requests, effort reporting, certification, and tracking of faculty/staff commitments on sponsored projects.
• Advise the Director of OGSP on amendments, budget modifications, and supplemental funding.
• Lead subrecipient risk assessment, FFATA reporting, monitoring and closeout activities in accordance with federal requirements and institutional policies.

• Oversee audit requests, reconciliation, internal controls, procurement compliance, billing, federal fund drawdowns, and accounts receivable for sponsored projects.
• Provide direction and oversight of financial reporting/ forecasting for sponsored awards, variance analysis and expert level guidance to support PI and institutional decision making.
• Direct and ensure financial award monitoring and recommended corrective actions where needed.

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in research administration with a focus on post-award management.
• Strong knowledge of federal/state compliance regulations, fiscal management, and sponsored project administration.
• Demonstrated leadership experience including staff supervision and performance management.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, negotiation, and organizational skills. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Maintain knowledge of emerging trends and regulatory changes in research administration through participation in professional organizations (e.g. NCURA, SRA, COGR, FDP).