Senior Research Administrator

Department: MED-Impact Institute
Salary/Grade: EXS/9

Job Summary:

A Senior Research Administrator for the Third Coast Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) provides administrative leadership by incorporating a significant amount of experience in support of the unit's research programs and mission. Using extensive research administration experience within the same unit, coordinates all aspects of a P30 center grant and associated non-sponsored accounts. Assists in strategic plans by providing guidance and counsel regarding grant administration which includes attending internal and external meetings, interpreting clauses, reviewing contracts, and resolving reporting and/or expense problems. Reviews associated policy and procedures and recommends changes to increase productivity and effectiveness. The CFAR is housed in the Impact Institute, and the Senior Research Administrator will be embedded in the Department of Medical Social Sciences Research Administration team. The role is focused on post-award administration including approvals of procurement and expense reports, award management, budget preparation, compliance, effort reporting, fiscal management, and financial reporting and projections.

Please note:

Supervisor provides overall objectives & in consultation with EE develops deadlines. Work is reviewed for fulfillment of objectives & overall compliance with policy & procedures. EE completes majority of activities without direction; consulting with supervisor only in regard to new or unusual circumstances.

EE uses judgment & an extensive amount of experience to adapt an advanced knowledge of skills, methods, practices, policies & procedures & a moderate degree of innovation, analysis, & reasoning to plan & prioritize work that is primarily project oriented & involves some extremely difficult problems &/or decisions. EE interprets policy.

• As time and budget allows:
• New-"Brown Bag"-Interested in becoming an RA?
• Need more "How To:" sessions such as:
  • Fill out internal & external paperwork
  • Create & review budget
  • Review sponsor guidelines
  • Read a solicitation
• Five University Business Processes classes (HR700, HR705, HR715, HR725, HR740)New-"Brown Bag"-Interested in becoming an RA?
• NU-ORI-Res Dam Training session
• SCS course: Grantsmanship for the Research Professional
• NCURA-National Council of University Research Administrators/SRA - Society of Research Administrators International (regional or national meetings)
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA)
• ASRSP effort reporting 101
• NU Financials budget reconciliation and reporting
• Audit & Advisory best practices

Specific Responsibilities:

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 P-approximately $500K+/yr. over multiple yrs.
  • Center or program grants
  • Proposals with cost sharing

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.
• Completes expenditure reviews.
• Reconciles monthly payroll entries.
• Verifies & processes cost share entries.
• 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

• Provides research administration training.
• Develops staff.
• Mentors other administrative staff in research administration.

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.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

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.

• 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

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Northwestern's enterprise systems including NU Financials, CERES, ERS, and Cognos.

• Knowledge of National Institutes of Health policies and procedures.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Provide informal leadership by cooperatively anticipating, coordinating, and strategizing with Center leadership.

• Excellent written and oral communication

Target hiring range for this position will be up to $98,135.04 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.

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