Lead Research Administrator for Academic Affairs at University of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA -
Full Time


Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

06 Nov, 25

Salary

95000.0

Posted On

07 Aug, 25

Experience

1 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

No

Skills

Federal Contracts, Investigation, Discrimination, Research Administration, Regulations

Industry

Financial Services

Description

JOB POSTING DETAILS

Position Number: 41192795
Payroll Title: Research Administrator 4
Job Code: 006207
Job Open Date: 08/05/2025
Application Review Begins: 08/20/2025; open until filled
Department Code (Name): EXOF (Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor)
Percentage of Time: 100%
Union Code (Name): 99 (Non-Represented
Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff (Career)
FLSA Status: Exempt
Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): PSS
Salary Grade: Grade 23
Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $95,000 to $105,000/year. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University. The full salary range for this position is $88,000 to $161,600/year.
Work Location: SAASB 1207F
Working Days and Hours: M-F; 8am - 5pm
Benefits Eligibility: Full Benefits
Type of Remote or Hybrid Work Arrangement, if applicable: Hybrid scheduled after completion of training period.(Both UC & Non-UC locations)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
  • 3+ years direct administration of extramural funds, especially federal contracts and grants, preferably in an academic setting.
  • 3+ years experience interfacing with a broad range of constituents, including staff, faculty and administrators.
  • 3+ years experience producing complex financial reports and providing analytical summaries.
  • 3+ years experience with research proposal submission, funding agency requirements, processes and regulations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • 5+ years experience managing extramural funds at UCSB.
  • 1-3 years providing instruction and/or experience mentoring and training others in relevant areas of research administration.
Responsibilities

As part of the Academic Affairs Research Services (AARS) team in the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor, the Lead Research Administrator for Academic Affairs provides expert-level post-award financial management for a portfolio of high-complexity sponsored projects within Academic Affairs Research Services (AARS). This role supports UCSB’s research mission through advanced fiscal oversight, strategic financial planning, and high-level coordination with faculty, departmental administrators, and central offices. The Lead Research Administrator serves as a technical leader and recognized campus expert in research finance, often guiding compliance interpretation and shaping financial management practices. Core responsibilities include the full lifecycle of complex awards—from proposal and budget establishment through closeout—with independent authority over cost transfers, effort reporting, subaward oversight, and sponsor billing. The Lead Research Administrator leads the development of internal systems, ensures regulatory compliance, mentors other analysts, and contributes to university-wide process improvement initiatives. Regularly collaborates with AARS Analysts, Sponsored Projects Office (SPO), Extramural Funds Accounting (EMF), Payroll, Procurement, Accounts Payable, and Principal Investigators (PIs) to promote fiscal accountability and streamline financial operations. Serves as dotted line supervisor for College of Engineering Research Finance Analysts (RFAs) overseeing training, onboarding for RFA duties, process standardization, compliance alignment, technical issue triage, and policy interpretation.

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