Associate Director of Office of Sponsored Projects

at  University of New Mexico

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree; at least 8 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 2-5 years in higher education sponsored projects leadership role.
• Master’s degree.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or similar certification.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal public services contracting and pre-award processes, including all associated regulations and guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage major, high-impact, complex scientific research contract and grant negotiations.
• Skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to research grants and contracts.
• Ability to create, evaluate, and modify complex scientific research grants and contracts.
• Ability to supervise and train employees, including organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments.
• Excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills.
• Employee development and performance management skills.
• Ability to develop and present educational programs and/or workshops.
• Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and management skills.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Project management skills and the ability to resolve complex problems and issues.

• Provides leadership and vision to the three OSP teams, Proposals, Awards, and Contracts. These are diverse teams of staff involved in review, approval, negotiation, and administration of research, educational, and public service proposals, grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, subawards and may include ancillary research agreements such as material transfer agreements, confidentiality agreements and data transfer agreements and the provision of technical and administrative guidance and support to faculty and staff seeking outside funding for research, public service, and special sponsored institutional projects
• Sets strategic goals for OSP and leads the efforts to achieve those goals. Aligns departmental goals with the OVPR’s, and university’s mission statement and provides guidance, training and mentorship to managers and staff in areas of expertise. Includes responsibility for implementing and maintaining a departmental budget and ensuring projects are completed within budget guidelines.
• Directs, coordinates, and oversees the pre-award review and approval process for funded research, and related programs on UNM’s Main & Branch Campuses, ensuring compliance with Federal regulations and guidelines and University policy governing the administration of research.
• Works collaboratively with other UNM units including the Faculty Research and Development Office, Office of Research Integrity & Compliance and Contract & Grants Accounting for effective research administration and to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Works with the University’s Research Development Office in provision of assistance to researchers in the development of competitive proposals and the pre-award administration of research projects; provides authoritative direction to faculty, staff, and administrators regarding rules, regulations, and policies related to grants and contracts.
• Serves as principal source of consultation and expertise to the enterprise with respect to research contract planning, development, interpretation, implementation, and maintenance.
• Represents the organization to external agencies and constituencies in the negotiation of major scientific research contracts.
• Oversees all facets of the daily operations of the organizational unit, ensuring compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, policies, and operating agreements. This includes monitoring, implementing, and enforcing federal, state and local policies including the U.S. Office of Management and Budget’s Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200 and Federal Acquisition Regulations to ensure compliance of proposal and awards in the form of grants, cooperative agreements and contracts.
• Develops or assists with the development and implementation of policies and procedures consistent with those of OSP, OVPR, and/or UNM to ensure efficient and safe operation of the unit.
• Oversees the supervision of all OSP personnel, but specifically for direct reports: the Proposal, Awards, and Contracts managers. Supervision includes work allocation, training, development, promotion, enforcement of internal procedures and controls, and problem resolution; evaluates performance and makes recommendations for personnel actions; motivates employees to achieve peak productivity and performance.
• Responsible for ongoing stakeholder relations, which includes presenting to and meeting regularly with Main Campus Associate Deans for Research, Chancellors of Branch Campuses, Research Center Directors, Compliance Officers, UNM Foundation Personnel, and Sponsors. Co-lead the University’s Research Administrators Network, which develops and hosts monthly trainings, and networking opportunities for research administrators at all levels of the research enterprise.
• Identifies, analyzes, and evaluates contractual compliance issues as they arise. Works with the Office of Research Integrity & Compliance to resolve or facilitate resolution of compliance-related problems among constituencies as appropriate.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
  See the Position Description for additional information.