General Summary:

The Director of the Office of Research Development is responsible for the administration of the University's grant and sponsored programs, including research development, pre-award services, post-award management support, research compliance, and technology transfer activities; promotion and oversight of the development of externally sponsored projects. The ORDA Director is also responsible for the coordination of the application, review, and award process for internal research awards.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities:

Manage General and Designated Funds supporting research programs, including department general funds for operations, compliance and cash match, as well as, indirect cost recovery funds, research development funds, and other funds as assigned.

Formulate policy, or assist in the formulation of policy, to ensure University's compliance with rules and regulations of Federal, State, and private sponsors.

Represent the University research enterprise, both internally, and externally.

Serve and the University's Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) for the submission of proposals as well as acceptance of awards for grants, cooperative agreements, and contractually sponsored research.

Support University efforts to stimulate the development of organized research units, and service centers, monitoring annual progress towards goals and university strategic initiatives designed to address current societal needs.

Administer the University Research Compliance program, including IRB, IACUC, Conflict of Interest, Academic Integrity, and Responsible Conduct of Research; assist the Office of Health and Safety in the administration of Biosafety, Radiation Safety, and Laboratory Safety.
Assist the University in developing interdisciplinary, intercollegiate, and inter-institutional initiatives designed to increase the University's competitiveness for major external funding proposals by assisting in the formation of working groups, and proposal development, and writing teams.

Promote and publicize University research efforts, and provide support, and information to faculty through development, and maintenance of webpage, e-newsletter, social media, or other forms of electronic media.
Serve as the University's authorized negotiator for grant and contract agreements, overseeing the preparation, review and implementation of such.

Monitor and interpret changes in federal regulations as they impact EMU grant administration. Make recommendations to the Associate Provost and Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research regarding changes in policies and procedures pertaining to research, working with the Division of Business and Finance, or other Divisions on areas that have cross-division impact.

Prepare and present formal reports and forecasts to the Board of Regents, University Cabinet, Division, Associate Provost and Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research, Deans and Department Heads regarding proposal and grant activity.
Administer support services for project directors that facilitate and coordinator business activities between EMU administrative offices, including Accounting, Human Resources, Purchasing, Risk Management, Legal Affairs and Payroll. Recommend and facilitate improvements to better accommodate the needs of grants.

Administer access and institutional sign-ons of sponsors' electronic submission systems, maintaining University control for review and approval of proposal submissions. Oversee the evaluation and adoption of commercially available software to support externally sponsored activity, including funding searches, proposal submissions and management, as well as tracking sponsored activity on a University-wide for reporting purposes.

Administer and oversee the management of the internal routing and review process for all proposal submissions to ensure all University review and approvals are completed.

Provide assistance, recommendations and coordination regarding patent, copyright and licensing of intellectual property. Prepare, negotiate and coordinate internal and external patent, copyright and licensing agreements regarding ownership and distribution of royalties. Conduct workshops, training and orientation programs.

Perform related departmental duties as required.

Qualifications:

Knowledge and skills in research development, administration, and research compliance for higher education, typically acquired through the completion of a Master's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration or a related field, are necessary.

Five years of progressively more responsible grant and contract development experience at the central administrative level in an institution of higher education are necessary.

Extensive knowledge and experience with all aspects of the federal research enterprise, including the rules and regulations governing proposal development and submission, research compliance, contract and award negotiation, post award administrative management, and technology transfer requirements Experience with industry sponsored research and contract negotiation, including non-disclosure agreements, sponsored research agreements, and option and licensing agreements for intellectual property.

Extensive knowledge of federal OMB Circulars A-21 and A110 and agency-specific grant regulations and familiarity with Federal Acquisition Regulation is necessary.

Excellent written and oral communication skills are necessary.

Experience with and/or knowledge of computer systems is highly desirable.