Senior Research Administrator

at  Northwestern University

Provides administrative leadership by incorporating a significant amount of experience in support of unit’s research programs and mission. May provide sole support to a small to mid-sized unit, or support a portion of activities in a larger unit. Using extensive research administration experience within the same unit, coordinates all aspects of multiple grant &/or contract pre- & post-award activities. Assists in developing new funding opportunities & strategic plans regarding grants &/or contracts by providing guidance & counsel in regard to grant &/or contract administration which includes attending internal & external meetings, interpreting clauses, reviewing contracts, & resolving reporting &/or expense problems. Reviews associated policy & procedures & recommends changes to increase productivity & effectiveness.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: (EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND ANY OTHER CERTIFICATIONS OR CLEARANCES)

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience required with 2 years of research administration and 3 years of research, finance, administrative or other relevant experience.

MINIMUM COMPETENCIES: (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES.)

• Organization, time management, detail oriented
• Multi-tasking, communication
• Self-starter, diplomatic, pro-active, manage stress
• Managing people
• Provide leadership by cooperatively anticipating, coordinating, strategizing
  Target hiring range for this position will be between $78,482-$98,102 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Complexity

• Typically administers multiple research projects such as:
• Complex multi-PI or multi-unit proposals, grants &/or contracts
• Research portfolio for a more complex small to mid-sized unit
• NIH U-approximately $500K+/yr. over multiple yrs.
• NIH P-approximately $500K+/yr. over multiple yrs.
• NIH T-approximately $100-$200K+/yr. over multiple yrs.
• DOD and industry awards
• Center or program grants
• Proposals with cost sharing
• Fixed-price contracts
• Non-funded negotiations such as NDAs, user agreements

Pre-Award

• Manages pre-award administration of grants and &/or contracts.
• Coordinates proposal submission.
• Coordinates budget and justification preparation.
• Completes sponsor and university proposal forms.
• Coordinates IRB and IACUC protocols; sub-recipients, facilities, administrative costs, space, and co-investigator agreements.
• Creatively and proactively evaluates and resolves problems and makes decisions.

Post-Award

• Coordinates post-award activities.
• Monitors execution of all financial transactions in research portfolio.
• Forecasts & provides information for reports on financial status of projects.
• Manages day-to-day financial functions.
• Verifies that protocols are linked to CUFS chart strings; labor distribution assignments.
• Completes expenditure reviews.
• Reconciles monthly payroll entries.
• Verifies & processes cost share entries.
• Prepares & submits invoices to sponsors.
• Identifies program income issues.
• Proposes resolutions to overdrafts.
• Prepares interim & final financial reports.
• Facilitates account close out activities.
• Participates in efforts to improve research administration including serving on university committees related to research administration.

Financial

• Oversees unit’s entire sponsored project portfolio.
• Reviews transactions and resolve issues that requires a more complex level of financial understanding such as cost-sharing &/or effort reporting knowledge.
• Provides information to senior management that is used for department budgeting purposes.

Human Resources

• Manages & integrates all departmental staff efforts for grant &/or contract administration.
• Provides research administration training.
• Develops staff.
• Mentors other administrative staff in research administration.
• Serves as the primary resource for research administration guidance.

Compliance

• Ensures compliance with all appropriate NU policies & practices; local, state, federal, agency & sponsor rules, regulations & requirements regarding grant &/or contract administration.
• Recommends changes to improve programs, policy &/or practice.
• Resolves compliance problems & issues working in conjunction with faculty.
• Supervision
• Provides direct supervision to research support staff.
• Assigns & reviews staff work.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervision

• Provides direct supervision to research support staff.
• Assigns & reviews staff work.
• Performs other duties as assigned.