Executive Director, Contracts and Grants

at  USC

SUMMARY

The Department of Contracts and Grants, an integral service component of the Office of Research and Innovation at USC, is dedicated to supporting faculty and staff in their pursuit of sponsored projects funding. The team provides a wide range of essential services for faculty across the university. This includes reviewing, approving, and submitting proposals to external sponsors, negotiating, and accepting awards on behalf of the university, and managing outgoing subcontracts. They also coordinate both pre-award and post-award actions, foster positive sponsor relationships, and ensure institutional compliance with Federal and State regulations, sponsor policies, and university guidelines. DCG is the office of record for proposal, award and subaward data and is a leader in reporting sponsored projects activity to senior leadership.

JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Strategic Planning and Improvement

• Lead the development and implementation of long-term strategic plans and scientific vision for sponsored research programs.
• Advise senior leadership on strategic objectives and goals and resolve project issues with stakeholders.
• Conduct reviews and execute strategic improvements.
• Prepare strategic reports on sponsored project activities as requested by senior university leadership and other internal and external stakeholders.

Administration and Management

• Lead and support the DCG team and office operations in accordance with the university’s research strategic plan.
• Make staffing, retention, and outreach recommendations.
• Build strategic cross-partnerships and collaborations.
• Provide leadership in electronic research administration initiatives.

Compliance and Negotiation

• Advise administrators and staff on sponsored project agreement provisions.
• Ensure timely negotiation of sponsored project agreements.
• Oversee compliance and resolve contractual issues.

Collaboration and Communication

• Meet with key stakeholders to promote and tailor office support services to the needs of the university’s research community.
• Collaborate with partner offices like USC Stevens Center for Innovation, Sponsored Projects Accounting, and other research support centers to integrate and streamline DCG services.
• Act as a liaison between faculty and senior leadership and sponsors.
• Collaborate with departments and schools to enhance DCG services.
• Promote an inclusive environment and uphold the principles of the USC Code of Ethics.

Budgeting and Resource Allocation

• Control planning, staffing, and budgeting.
• Make resource allocation decisions and ensure budget adherence.
• Approve budget reallocations to implement strategic initiatives and improve processes.

The candidate for Executive Director, Contracts and Grants will have at minimum:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 10 years’ experience in sponsored projects administration
• Demonstrated leadership and managerial experience
• Proven ability to build, develop and manage diverse, high-performing teams, fostering an environment of trust, collaboration, transparency, and accountability
• Proven ability to motivate others to action by articulating visions and strategies
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated sponsored projects training
• Advanced judgment, analytical, and decision-making skills
• Proven ability to interpret, analyze, and apply pertinent policies, procedures, regulations, and requirements
• Ability to present ideas and solutions in non-technical, business-friendly terms and translate complex ethical, legal and compliance concepts
• Expert knowledge of current and emerging higher education sponsored projects issues, and relevant essential policies, and regulations

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Advanced degree in administration or related field
• 12 or more years’ experience in sponsored projects administration
• Demonstrated experience working closely on complex contract negotiations
• Knowledge of university policies and procedures as well as funding processes and procedures
• Demonstrated experience working with budget and human resource policies and processes

Please refer the Job description for details