Assistant​/Associate Director, Pre-Award, Proposal and Award Management

Assistant/Associate Director, Pre-Award, Proposal and Award Management

The Assistant/Associate Director promotes the Office of Research Service's mission of providing excellent customer service for research projects with an overall focus on high levels of quality of work and departmental interaction. Pre-Award services at Penn is managed via a dynamic team approach. The Assistant/Associate Director is responsible for Pre-Award and non-financial post-award duties of sponsored research, which include the review of proposals for compliance with sponsor and university policies and guidelines;

and non-financial post-award activities. Serve as point of contact for sponsoring agencies, and work with departments, schools, and centers to ensure timely submission of non-financial reports and requests for approval of changes to projects. Provide action-oriented support to Principal Investigators (PIs) and handle specific grant agreement issues with confidentiality and integrity. Manage a wide range of complex operational and administrative matters and understand the organization and functions of academic departments, organizational research units, and other campus units involved in research administration.

Pre-Award services at Penn is managed via a dynamic team approach. The Associate Director will work with a team to ensure timely and accurate service for a range of sponsor agencies, research activities, and proposal requirements.

Job Responsibilities

• Responsible for reviewing, authorizing, and submitting proposals on behalf of the university to a wide range of funding sponsors. Ensures proposals are submitted in accordance with university policy and in compliance with sponsor requirements to optimize likelihood of funding. Advises faculty and departmental administrative staff on funding opportunities and administrative strategies for the preparation of successful grant/contract proposals.
• Responsible for binding the university to terms and conditions for funded research grants, contracts, and ancillary agreements. Collaborates with contract administrators and provides guidance on terms and conditions for subawards and non-monetary agreements.
• Communicates with regulatory offices, to ensure requirements are met for sponsored research activity; maintain all proper and necessary documentation.
• Serves as a liaison between funding sponsors and faculty. Reviews and submits final non-financial reports. Maintains current working knowledge of federal and non-profit sponsor policies to ensure the responsible conduct of research at Penn and advise faculty and departmental administrative staff accordingly.
• Regularly meet with faculty and administrators to ensure service needs are met and serve as subject matter expert. Addresses concerns or needs of assigned divisions and departments.
• Identifies training needs and develops and delivers training materials to meet those needs in a variety of formats, including individual trainings and group sessions. Develop, manage, and deliver university-wide instructor led and web based sponsored projects training course offerings. Ensure training materials and content are maintained and consistent with federal, state, city, and sponsor compliance requirements
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• Ability to work independently, under the pressure of deadlines, demonstrate attention to detail and a proactive work style.
• Experience with federal/non-federal sponsors and University guidelines/policies is strongly preferred.
• Work effectively in a highly matrixed and decentralized environment with the ability to navigate through ambiguity and demonstrate appreciation and support for inclusion and belonging in a constantly evolving academic/higher education environment.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Division of Finance

Pay Range

$77,330.00 - $88,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job's level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts :
  Penn offers comprehensive medical,…