Department: URC Administration
Salary/Grade: EXS/13

Job Summary:

The Sr. Director of the University Research Institutes and Centers Administration (URICA) office reports to the Associate Vice President for Research and is a member of the Office for Research (OR) leadership team.  URICA is responsible for overseeing the operations of University Research Institutes and Centers (URICs), including all aspects of their research administration and financial operations. The Sr. Director acts as an administrative leader in the Office for Research (OR) and works closely with the VPR and the AVPRs to design and implement solutions to reach desired institutional goals. The Sr Director works closely with the faculty director and lead administrator of each URIC to ensure that URICs operate efficiently and effectively. This position also ensures URIC research activities follow all relevant policies and guidelines.

The Sr. Director, University Research Institutes and Centers Administration, will support the OR mission and values by exhibiting the following: understand empathy, model accountability, ensure fairness, embrace community, and value creativity. The incumbent will strive to provide excellent service when performing job responsibilities.

*Note:  Not all aspects of the job are covered by this job description.

Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic

�        Provides guidance regarding development and implementation of financial, administrative, and outreach/communication guidelines and procedures associated with research funding portfolios of existing and new URICs.

�        Reviews annual reports for URICs goals, objectives, and programs and recommends changes to financial and administrative processes. 

�        Ensures that the organizational structure, processes and financial allocations are closely aligned with each URICs strategic objectives and resources.

�        Supports the annual URICs budget request process, providing URICs and OR leadership assistance in evaluating the performance of URICs operations; recommends improvement plans and guides implementation of changes to enhance fiscal and administrative productivity and effectiveness.

�        Fosters a culture of data-driven decision-making in the URICs by consulting on design and implementation of analytical tools.  Collaborates with the Research Analytics Office in the development of new analytical tools.

�        Establishes and fosters a community of administrators across URICs, by bringing together groups of practitioners for best practices discussions ad feedback, problem solving and networking. 

Operations

�        Provides oversight for financial and administrative activities of the URICs including quarterly projections.

�        Provides guidance regarding development and implementation of standard operating procedures that improve overall financial management of institutional, gift/endowment, and sponsored program financial resources.

�        Ensures that the administrative structure of existing and new URICs is adequate and supports its goals, by designing and implementing appropriate structures. 

�        Implements the creation and development of new URICs as determined by the VPR.

�        Actively participates in the recruitment and selection process for administration staff in the URICs; serves as a resource for all staffing decisions.

�        Develops and delivers onboarding and training for staff in the URICs.

�        Works in collaboration with URICs leadership and ORs HR Administration on personnel issues such as promotions, training, and disciplinary action.  

�        Acts as a resource in the development and production of reports, analyses, financial statements, and presentations regarding the URICs.

�        Acts as a liaison between URICs and Research Communications to provide high level guidance on communications and messaging, including web presence.

�        Collaborates with Research Core Facilities Administration (CFA) regarding core facilities administered by URICs.

�        Supports special projects for the strategic growth of URICs and NU research enterprise in general as assigned by the AVPR.

Research Administration

�        Provides guidance and expertise regarding the entire life-cycle pre- and post-award administrative process. Negotiates for the availability of necessary resources. Assesses and minimizes risks inherent to research activities. Ensures that all requirements, compliance rules and regulations are understood and followed.

�        Oversees deans admin office review of all grant proposals submitted through the URICs. Acts as a liaison between URICs, schools offices, Sponsored Research Office (SR) and other central offices during proposal development and submission.

�        Monitors use of electronic research administration tools by URICs personnel. Provides technical system and process assistance to URICs administrators as appropriate. Recommends changes to processes and procedures to maximize use of technology and gain efficiencies.

�        Acts as a liaison with SR and Accounting Services for Research and Sponsored Projects (ASRSP) and other relevant school and central offices to address issues related to URIC grant activity.

Supervision

�        Supervises 2 professional level staff (1 manager research administration manager and 1 business administrator).

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

�        Successful completion of a full course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a masters or higher degree; or, appropriate combination of education and experience.

�        7+ years management experience with progressively larger responsibilities.

�        Demonstrated competency in organization management and financial stewardship.

�        Strong writing and oral communications skills.

�        Excellent knowledge of sponsored program management; familiarity with gift/endowment restrictions and management.

�        Interest in the operational and business aspects of higher education and research.

Minimum Competencies

�        Proven leader who can mobilize individuals at all levels of the organization to reach common goals, with a track record of mentoring and supporting professional development of direct and indirect reports. Involves team members in solving problems and making decisions, inspires confidence by personal example. Actively builds collaboration by encouraging trust, mutual respect, and shared purpose.

�        Proven communication and interpersonal skills. Models, encourages, and facilitates open and effective communication. Interacts effectively with people from different cultures, educational levels, and backgrounds; creates an environment of understanding and acceptance.

�        Customer service oriented.

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