Department: MED-Basic Science Admin

Salary/Grade: EXS/10

Job Summary

Manager of Research Administration

A Manager of Research Administration for the Basic Sciences Administration (BSA) provides strategic leadership and advanced problem solving in support of unit's research programs and mission. Acts as the chief research administrator for a dept. or division and oversees the administration of the entire grants and contracts portfolio, some of which are complex involving multiple years, venues, collaborators, subcontractors, etc. and ensures fulfillment of all requirements and compliance with rules and regulations. Partners with faculty to develop strategic plans regarding new and existing funding opportunities, research initiatives, collaborations and projects that will increase and improve overall research and associated financial management and performance.

BSA supports the Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Microbiology and Immunology, Pharmacology, and Physiology, as well as Center for Genetic Medicine, and the Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics. The BSA Research Administration Team manages pre- and post-award administration including approvals of procurement and expense reports, proposal development, award setup and management, budget preparation, compliance, effort reporting, fiscal management, and financial reporting and projections.

Specific Responsibilities

Complexity

• Typically administers or oversees entire research projects
• Research portfolio for a larger department.
• Government contracts.
• Center or program grants.
• International projects.
• Master agreements with industry.
  
  

Pre-Award

• Provides creative, strategic leadership in pre-award administration of research grants and/or contracts, expertly balancing customer service and compliance needs.
• Establishes procedures at the large unit level related to pre-award administration.
• Coordinates federal contract proposals, international proposals, and proposals with difficult/troublesome terms and large sponsored agreements with industry partners.
• Uses metrics to monitor report and adjust unit pre-award performance.
  
  

Post-Award

• Provides expertise regarding post-award research administration.
• Ensures that proposed projects meet the goals of dept. and that necessary resources are available.
• Manages and follows through on high-risk situations.
• Coordinates or oversees application completion and detailed review and submission.
• Interprets sponsor guidelines.
• Creates procedures regarding day-to-day administrative and financial functions.
• Resolves issues with collaborators and/or other involved parties.
• Establishes procedures at the large unit level related to post-award administration.
• Manages all day-to-day grant and/or contract functions such as administration, finance, facilities, compliance, reporting, etc. ensuring timetables are created and maintained as appropriate.
• Uses metrics to monitor report and adjust unit post-award performance.
• Recommends and facilitates procedural changes in grant and/or contract administration, as necessary.
• Recommends policy to enhance the research administration field.
  
  

Financial

• Oversees and manages all research portfolio fiscal activities, from research development to close-out activities, continually evaluating and recommending alternatives to minimize risk while maximizing goals.
• Ensures that budgets are created, proposed and administered in a fiscally responsible manner.
• Resolves complex issues such as determining appropriate and reasonable cost-sharing percentages on complex grants involving multiple locations; effort reporting problems; under- or over-spent grant budgets; recommend changes to eliminate deficit balances; overdrafts.
• Coordinates price negotiation, purchase, and ongoing maintenance support contracts of all major research equipment.
• Provides information to senior management that is used for department budgeting purposes.
  
  

Human Resources

• Hires, evaluates, promotes, and/or counsels' staff.
• Oversees training for all staff regarding research administration in unit.
• Consults with faculty as grants are funded regarding job descriptions, selecting and hiring new staff; and as grants end regarding lay-offs, terminations, etc.
  
  

Compliance

• Creates, implements and oversees programs, policy and practice for dept./division designed to ensure compliance with all appropriate NU policies and practices; local, state, federal, agency and sponsor rules, regulations and requirements regarding grant and/or contract administration.
• Ensures resolution of all compliance problems and issues, including those involving research safety, animal subjects, human subjects and conflict of interest.
  
  

Supervision

• Supervises administrative and/or financial positions.
• Mentors other administrative staff in research administration.
  
  

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

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 7 years’ experience required with 4 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 $87,899 - $109,874 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.

Benefits

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life And Wellness

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.

We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more .

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern’s non-discrimination statement . Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process .