Senior Research Administrator

Department: WCAS Molecular Biosciences
Salary/Grade: EXS/9

Job Summary:

This position is a key member of our administrative leadership and provides a significant amount of experience in support of unit's research programs and mission. Using extensive research administrative experience , this position coordinates all aspects of multiple grant/ &/or contract pre- & post-award activities. Assists in developing new funding opportunities & strategic plans regarding grants &/or contacts 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. We are seeking an individual who will work well in our collaborative environment as we assist in the research aims of our unit.

Please note: this position has supervisory responsibilities and offers a hybrid work schedule with a combination of on-campus days and remote days during the week.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $78,482 - $98,102 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.

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-with multiple yrs.
  • NIH P-with multiple yrs.
  • NIH T-with 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 with Office of Sponsored Research.
• Forecasts & provides information for reports on financial status of projects.
• Verifies that protocols are linked to CUFS chart strings; labor distribution assignments.
• Completes annual expenditure reviews and works with business office to ensure allowability of purchases
• Verifies & processes cost share entries.
• Prepares interim & final financial reports.
• In collaboration with our business office to ensure compliance with funding agency guidelines, facilitates account close out activities.
• Participates in efforts to improve research administration including serving on university committees related to research administration.

Financial

• In collaboration with our business manager, oversees unit's entire sponsored project portfolio.
• Reviews transactions and resolve issues that requires a more complex level of financial understanding such as cost-sharing &/or faculty effort reporting knowledge.
• Provides information to senior management that is used for department budgeting purposes.

Human Resources

• Manages & integrates all departmental staff for grant &/or contract administration.
• Provides research administration training.
• Develops staff.
• Mentors other administrative staff in research administration.
• Serves as the primary resource for research administration guidance.

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

• Provides direct supervision to research support staff.
• 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.
• 5 years research administration experience. 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.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Word, and Excel
• Advanced writing skills;
• Ability to analyze and organize large amounts of data;
• Strong communication skills
• A high level of professionalism, tact and resourcefulness;

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Organization, time management, detail oriented
• Multi-tasking, communication/ strong interpersonal relationship skills
• Self-starter, diplomatic, pro-active, manage stress
• Managing people
• Provide leadership by cooperatively anticipating, coordinating, strategizing
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Good with numbers and editing.
• Strong critical thinking skills.
• Collaborative, good at working independently and in a team environment.
• Flexible and Adaptable; ability to set priorities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a complex research university.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

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