Job Duties:

Under the direction of the Director of the Office of Research Administration (ORA) in the Division of Research, Economic Development and Engagement (REDE), the Senior Associate Director for Research Administration Operations is responsible for strategic management and oversight of operations within ECU's combined pre- and post-award central research administration office. The Senior Associate Director has eight direct reports and leads a staff of over twenty-five professionals to ensure a seamless, efficient, and transparent research administration infrastructure that supports the research mission of the University. The Senior Associate Director works collaboratively with ORA's compliance and monitoring officer and the education and outreach officer to ensure use of best practices in the management of sponsored projects, compliance with governmental and internal regulations and standard operating procedures, and appropriate stewardship of sponsored project funds. He/she also works collaboratively with the electronic research administration systems administrator to ensure harmonization of data management with business processes and workflow. The Senior Associate Director serves as the acting director in the absence of the Director and is an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR).

Specific job responsibilities include:

Participate in strategic planning activities of the Office and Division. At the request of the Director, represent the Office of Research Administration on internal, division, and university committees and task forces. Foster and perpetuate a research administration culture of customer service, capability, empowerment, and success that is distinguished by high quality proactive oversight.

Manage day-to-day pre- and post-award functions in the areas of proposal review and submission, award negotiation and acceptance, award administrative and financial management, effort reporting, revenue management, and project close-out. Provide effective supervision of assigned staff including position description development/management, hiring, mentoring/supervising, and corrective action when necessary; ensuring appropriate training and professional development; workload assignment; performance planning and appraisal; and salary administration. Recommend personnel actions to the Director and provide supporting documentation for such actions as required by Human Resources.

Maintain in-depth knowledge of external sponsor regulations and act as a liaison between ORA and assistant deans for research, college level research administration Research Support Offices (RSOs), departmental administrators, and faculty investigators to interpret and communicate policies and procedures or specific agreement terms for institutional implementation. Stay abreast of current federal regulations and pending revisions, the Federal Acquisition Regulations, Code of Federal Regulations, cost accounting standards, North Carolina laws, and University of North Carolina System policies and reporting requirements to ensure continued compliance. Provide subject matter expertise to ORA staff, associate deans for research, college-level research administration personnel and departmental administrators, and faculty investigators.

Serve as a member of the ORA leadership team. Monitor operational performance of reporting units. Drive continuous improvements for quality and effectiveness of central research administration services. Track issues, make recommendations, and collaborate with the Director to formulate resolutions to problems. Revise operating procedures and internal business processes to address problems and accommodate changes in the regulatory environment and growth in the sponsored programs portfolio. In collaboration with the eRA Systems Administrator, the Compliance Monitoring Officer and the Education and Communications Officer, develop/modify internal systems, processes, workflows, and reports to promote operational efficiency, data integrity, and high-quality customer service.

Interact as necessary with collaborating organizations, external sponsors, auditors, higher-level University officials, and other campus units (i.e., Finance & Administration, Internal Audit, Advancement, etc.) and associate deans for research, department heads, business officers and research administrators in academic units on matters relating to sponsored research administration.

Serve as acting director in the absence of the Director of ORA and as an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) for proposal submissions, award/contract receipt, award/contract modifications, sub-awards, financial reports/invoices, and non-sponsored project research-related agreements.

Special Instructions To Application:

East Carolina University requires applicants to submit a candidate profile online in order to be considered for the position. Candidates must also submit a cover letter/resume, and a list of three references, including contact information, online.

Minimum Education/Experience:

Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required with 2 years of progressively responsible research administration experience in a central office or large departmental office; for candidates demonstrating comparable experience and professional-level background in research administration, will accept a relevant undergraduate degree and 4 or more years of relevant experience in substitution.

Full time or Part time: Full Time

Position Location (city): Greenville

Position Number: 500086

Organizational Unit Overview:

The Office of Research Administration (ORA) provides centralized pre- and post-award services related to sponsored projects. The proposal services unit within ORA provides direct assistance to college-level research administrators and indirect assistance to faculty, staff, and students in applying for external funding to support research, instructional activities, and service programs that address the mission of the institution. ORA sponsored programs officers (SPOs) advise campus research administrators and individuals from all disciplines in relationship development with sponsors and assure institutional submission of compliant, effective, fundable proposals with viable budgets. SPOs exercise the authority of the Chancellor to final approve and submit all proposals to external sponsors. ORA's contracts officer reviews and negotiates externally-sponsored awards, assuring full administrative and financial compliance with University policies and governmental regulations. The grant and contracts administrative management unit (GCA) within ORA is responsible for oversight and compliant management of ECU's sponsored programs portfolio of grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and clinical trial agreements. ORA is also responsible for collecting, reporting, and accounting for all revenues from sponsored activities and for providing training, policy development and system improvements to ensure compliant and accurate fund management. ORA reports to the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Research in the Division of Research, Economic Development, and Engagement (REDE) and collaborates with other university offices (Finance & Administration, Information Technology & Computing Services, Internal Audit, Advancement, University Attorney, Technology Transfer, compliance offices, etc.), supports associate deans for research and research administrators campus-wide, liaises with sponsors, and assists faculty in seeking and managing sponsored projects.