Northwestern University
Assistant Director, Award Acceptance
Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Department:
Office Sponsored ResearchSalary/Grade:
EXS/11Job Summary:The Assistant Director Award Acceptance is a professional member of the Office for Sponsored Research, and part of the leadership of the Proposal and Awards Acceptance team, reporting to the Sr. Director Proposal and Awards Acceptance. The Proposal and Awards Acceptance team is responsible for the review and submission of proposals for a large variety of sponsors, review and negotiation of awards and managing post award non-financial requests using the highest levels of professionalism and service.The Assistant Director supervises approximately six Sponsored Research Officers while also maintaining a complex portfolio and set of constituency assignments. The Assistant Director will be primarily responsible for overseeing award acceptance activities within the team, while also overseeing the various other activities of the team which include award modification requests, proposal review and submission and JIT.As part of Northwestern University's commitment to creating an inclusive and diverse campus community, Northwestern Sponsored Research is committed to being BRAVE (Battling Racism and Valuing Equity). Through deliberate words and actions we actively endeavor to acknowledge the humanity of and value each of our colleagues.The Assistant Director Award Acceptance will support the OR mission and values of understanding empathy, modeling accountability, ensuring fairness, embracing community, and valuing creativity.Specific Responsibilities:Manages a team of Sponsored Research Officers (SRO). Provides daily guidance and mentoring to staff on operational and policy issues, as well as routine activities. Reviews and monitors the daily workflow of proposals, JIT, award modification requests and award agreements and reassigns work as needed.Provides input to office-wide meetings.Facilitates cross-team collaborations to understand important and frequent contracting issues and to ensure seamless handoffs between Sponsored Research Officers and Contract Officers in all SR units.Hires, promotes, evaluates and counsels staff with input from Sr. Director and Assistant Vice President, Sponsored Research (AVP-SR).Maintains and manages an advanced portfolio of sponsored research activity for designated university schools, departments and/or centers.Exercises delegated signature authority from the Assistant Vice President. Reviews, and signs proposal applications, award amendments and administrative correspondence to sponsors as authorized by the University president. Safeguards university interests with respect to intellectual property, publications, export controls, liability, effort reporting, and compliance issues. Ensures compliance and fiscal integrity of proposal submissions and appropriated awards.Supports Sponsored Research Officers (SROs) and ensures that a high level of service support is provided to principal investigators and departmental, Center, school and central administrators.Evaluates the risk associated with the variety of transactions processed by Sponsored Research Officers and SR.Serves as expert in pre-award and post-award proposal management.Monitors internal performance metrics to ensure high levels of service and accomplishment of objectives.Solicit input from Principal investigators and other central administrative offices, such as COI, IRB, ACUC, INVO, ASRSP, General Counsel, and Risk Management as appropriate.Represents Sponsored Research in meetings with principal investigators, school administrators, and senior university administrators in areas related to sponsored research. Accurately convey current practices in research administration and work collaboratively across all sectors of the university to develop appropriate changes in procedures and policies, and implement best practices that will benefit the research community.Presents as needed to a variety of constituents including campus-wide and national meetings.Participates in the development and implementation of new policies and revisions to existing policies.Develops, implements and trains staff in standard procedures that support Northwestern University research policy. Coordinate with other units to ensure the timing and integrity of the sponsored research life cycle. Communicate and present procedures and policy within SR and externally to the university community.Assists in the development of the agenda for the campus-specific sponsored research campus meetings.Monitors policy changes implemented by external sponsors (related to electronic research administration and otherwise).Assists faculty and staff in electronic proposal submissions and award monitoring.Provides significant input to optimize enterprise-level systems supporting research administration, and participates in managing change within the research administration community.Provides education, training and research information for SR staff and NU departments, schools and Centers through a variety of venues. Participates in designing and implementing research administration training programs.Leads ongoing service excellence and continuous improvement initiatives.Optimizes staff skills and organizational structure and is responsible for staff development and continuing education. Provides staff with feedback and direction.Advises Sr. Director and AVP-SR on emerging and pressing issues.Participates in resolution of issues.Minimum Qualifications: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.5 years previous work experience in the administration of sponsored research at an educational institution, in the federal government, or entity engaged in sponsored research.Previous, proven experience supervising and mentoring staff.Capable of presenting at various meetings across campus including faculty meetings and campus-wide meetings and at professional organizations (MAGI, FDP, NCURA, UIDP, SRA, etc).Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)Advanced knowledge and application of relevant codes, regulations necessary to administer and manage externally funded sponsored research.Ability to supervise and motivate professional and administrative support staff in a team environment.Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment across organizational units and at all levels, including faculty, deans, central administration and senior institutional officials.Excellent written and verbal communications skills.Customer-focused; dedicated to providing optimum service to internal and external customers.Highest level of professional and personal integrity.Thrives in a high-volume, fast-paced environment. Is able to handle significant stress and a large workload.Computer proficiency - software use may include Microsoft Office suite, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Access, web browsers, email and systems including enterprise applications and various sponsor systems.Compliance - honor Northwestern University policy and external regulatory requirements.Preferred Qualifications:Master's degree. Past experience in a central sponsored research or other research-related office is strongly preferred.Five years previous work experience in the administration of sponsored research or other central research-related office at an educational institution, government, or other entity engaged in sponsored research.Demonstrated ability to conduct training sessions.Demonstrated ability to effectively manage staff.
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Office Sponsored ResearchSalary/Grade:
EXS/11Job Summary:The Assistant Director Award Acceptance is a professional member of the Office for Sponsored Research, and part of the leadership of the Proposal and Awards Acceptance team, reporting to the Sr. Director Proposal and Awards Acceptance. The Proposal and Awards Acceptance team is responsible for the review and submission of proposals for a large variety of sponsors, review and negotiation of awards and managing post award non-financial requests using the highest levels of professionalism and service.The Assistant Director supervises approximately six Sponsored Research Officers while also maintaining a complex portfolio and set of constituency assignments. The Assistant Director will be primarily responsible for overseeing award acceptance activities within the team, while also overseeing the various other activities of the team which include award modification requests, proposal review and submission and JIT.As part of Northwestern University's commitment to creating an inclusive and diverse campus community, Northwestern Sponsored Research is committed to being BRAVE (Battling Racism and Valuing Equity). Through deliberate words and actions we actively endeavor to acknowledge the humanity of and value each of our colleagues.The Assistant Director Award Acceptance will support the OR mission and values of understanding empathy, modeling accountability, ensuring fairness, embracing community, and valuing creativity.Specific Responsibilities:Manages a team of Sponsored Research Officers (SRO). Provides daily guidance and mentoring to staff on operational and policy issues, as well as routine activities. Reviews and monitors the daily workflow of proposals, JIT, award modification requests and award agreements and reassigns work as needed.Provides input to office-wide meetings.Facilitates cross-team collaborations to understand important and frequent contracting issues and to ensure seamless handoffs between Sponsored Research Officers and Contract Officers in all SR units.Hires, promotes, evaluates and counsels staff with input from Sr. Director and Assistant Vice President, Sponsored Research (AVP-SR).Maintains and manages an advanced portfolio of sponsored research activity for designated university schools, departments and/or centers.Exercises delegated signature authority from the Assistant Vice President. Reviews, and signs proposal applications, award amendments and administrative correspondence to sponsors as authorized by the University president. Safeguards university interests with respect to intellectual property, publications, export controls, liability, effort reporting, and compliance issues. Ensures compliance and fiscal integrity of proposal submissions and appropriated awards.Supports Sponsored Research Officers (SROs) and ensures that a high level of service support is provided to principal investigators and departmental, Center, school and central administrators.Evaluates the risk associated with the variety of transactions processed by Sponsored Research Officers and SR.Serves as expert in pre-award and post-award proposal management.Monitors internal performance metrics to ensure high levels of service and accomplishment of objectives.Solicit input from Principal investigators and other central administrative offices, such as COI, IRB, ACUC, INVO, ASRSP, General Counsel, and Risk Management as appropriate.Represents Sponsored Research in meetings with principal investigators, school administrators, and senior university administrators in areas related to sponsored research. Accurately convey current practices in research administration and work collaboratively across all sectors of the university to develop appropriate changes in procedures and policies, and implement best practices that will benefit the research community.Presents as needed to a variety of constituents including campus-wide and national meetings.Participates in the development and implementation of new policies and revisions to existing policies.Develops, implements and trains staff in standard procedures that support Northwestern University research policy. Coordinate with other units to ensure the timing and integrity of the sponsored research life cycle. Communicate and present procedures and policy within SR and externally to the university community.Assists in the development of the agenda for the campus-specific sponsored research campus meetings.Monitors policy changes implemented by external sponsors (related to electronic research administration and otherwise).Assists faculty and staff in electronic proposal submissions and award monitoring.Provides significant input to optimize enterprise-level systems supporting research administration, and participates in managing change within the research administration community.Provides education, training and research information for SR staff and NU departments, schools and Centers through a variety of venues. Participates in designing and implementing research administration training programs.Leads ongoing service excellence and continuous improvement initiatives.Optimizes staff skills and organizational structure and is responsible for staff development and continuing education. Provides staff with feedback and direction.Advises Sr. Director and AVP-SR on emerging and pressing issues.Participates in resolution of issues.Minimum Qualifications: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.5 years previous work experience in the administration of sponsored research at an educational institution, in the federal government, or entity engaged in sponsored research.Previous, proven experience supervising and mentoring staff.Capable of presenting at various meetings across campus including faculty meetings and campus-wide meetings and at professional organizations (MAGI, FDP, NCURA, UIDP, SRA, etc).Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)Advanced knowledge and application of relevant codes, regulations necessary to administer and manage externally funded sponsored research.Ability to supervise and motivate professional and administrative support staff in a team environment.Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment across organizational units and at all levels, including faculty, deans, central administration and senior institutional officials.Excellent written and verbal communications skills.Customer-focused; dedicated to providing optimum service to internal and external customers.Highest level of professional and personal integrity.Thrives in a high-volume, fast-paced environment. Is able to handle significant stress and a large workload.Computer proficiency - software use may include Microsoft Office suite, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Access, web browsers, email and systems including enterprise applications and various sponsor systems.Compliance - honor Northwestern University policy and external regulatory requirements.Preferred Qualifications:Master's degree. Past experience in a central sponsored research or other research-related office is strongly preferred.Five years previous work experience in the administration of sponsored research or other central research-related office at an educational institution, government, or other entity engaged in sponsored research.Demonstrated ability to conduct training sessions.Demonstrated ability to effectively manage staff.
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