RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION MANAGER

Occupational SummaryThis position will function as a customer support liaison, serving as a primary point of contact for post-award research administration issues for schools and departments across Duke University. Liaisons not only work directly with school and departmental administrators, but also with management center leadership, faculty, and colleagues within several other central administrative units in efforts to promote efficient and effective administration of research programs. Liaisons also work with external granting agencies, as needed, to ensure optimal research administration outcomes.Work PerformedProvides timely, accurate and courteous assistance to all external and internal partners to resolve outstanding issues related to the team’s activities and portfolio assignments.Delivers the customer support standard of excellence through common understandings of research administration goals, proactive listening and proper professional responses.Performs select sponsored programs actions as required, including but not limited to: preparation and/or processing of invoices, financial reports, relinquishing statements, equipment screening forms, etc.Responds to inquiries from sponsors, including but not limited to questions related to invoicing or reporting issues.Assists with ‘clean-up’ for reportable codes that have ended, working with customers to resolve close-out documentation issues, overdrafts, outstanding cost accounting standards matters, cost-sharing commitments, salary cap calculations, etc.Assists customers in identifying training opportunities for themselves or staff, coordinating and/or providing the training as appropriate.Develops, clarifies or redefines university research administration procedures; ensures compliance with policies set forth by the university and/or external agencies; participates on teams to establish/maintain procedures and guidelines for research administration and provides feedback to Post Award Financial Management leadership regarding needed improvements or revisions to these guiding documents.Keeps abreast of changes involving internally and externally sanctioned policies and procedures and ensures that sponsored projects are administered in accordance with such policies.Interprets policies regarding allowable, allocable, reasonable and consistent costing practices.Works to resolve instances of discovered financial non-compliance.Investigates non-fraudulent financial compliance questions/issues using available resources such as sponsor regulations, Duke University policies and procedures, and a network of informed individuals such as the PI, Departmental or Research Administrator, Business Manager, Chair or Dean.Participates in internal or external audits of department grants/contracts by providing information and documentation as requested and take appropriate action following audit reviews.Performs other assignments as requested by office leadership.Preferences:Five years of relevant research administration experience.KnowledgeSolid understanding and application of applicable Federal and sponsor specific regulations/laws and guidance relating to extramural funding (e.g., Uniform Guidance – 2 CFR200; Federal Demonstration Partnership; Department of Health and Human Services; National Science Foundation; Department of Defense, Department of Education and more).Ability to interpret and apply post award guidance from Duke University policies and procedures.Understanding and application of basic internal control concepts, including adequacy and completeness in documentation during the daily management of sponsored award.High level understanding of conflict of interest, responsible conduct of research and advanced compliance issues.CommunicationAbility to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with all levels of the organization.Understand when to escalate issues to leadership, when necessary.Ability to recognize and reach out to partnering offices within the larger Duke organization to problem solve and collaborate on research administration matters.AnalyticalAbility to analyze large amounts of data, formulate conclusions and provide summary level reports as needed.OrganizationalAbility to manage and prioritize multiple projects/tasks simultaneously.Ability to work as a team member and individually, depending upon the tasks or goals at hand.Team playerWillingness to be a team player or collaborator utilizing appropriate time/resource management having a high regard of personal responsibility with respect for confidentiality.SystemsAbility to learn and apply changing technologies related to research administration management.Knowledge of research administration automated processes/systems.Solid working knowledge of MS Office Suite (Word, Access, Excel, Power Point).Solid working knowledge of organizational financial systems (SAP, SPS or other similar systems).Minimum Qualifications

Education

Work requires communications, analytical and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program. Research or grants education is preferred. Training: Successful completion of required department training such as GC101& 201 Introduction to Research, Financial Services Introduction to R3, Introduction to Duke GL, Introduction to Accounting, Sponsored Research Reporting, Research Administration at Duke (on-line), Basic Compliance (on-line) within first six months of hire is required. Successful completion of the Research Administration Academy (RAA) and Advanced Grants Management and eCrt is required. Employees hired into this classification without the expected credentials will work closely with their manager to schedule and successfully complete all training (12 months for RAA and an additional 6 months for AGM). Successful completion of all expected training will be an annual performance goal until complete. Upon completion of expected training, the employee must maintain Research Administration Academy (RAA) certification and Advanced Grants Management (AGM) certification by completing continuing education. Certified Research Administrator preferred.Experience

Work generally requires three years of relevant grants and contracts experience.

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