New

Director of Research Administration

North Carolina State University

Commensurate with education and experience.

United States, North Carolina, Raleigh

Jan 16, 2025

Posting Information

Posting Number	PG193899EP
Internal Recruitment	No
Working Title	Director of Research Administration
Anticipated Hiring Range	Commensurate with education and experience.
Work Schedule	Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm with additional hours required as needed to meet deadlines
Job Location	Raleigh, NC
Department	Integrated Support Service Center
About the Department	The Office of Research and Innovation ( ORI) supports research, scholarship, and creative activities of the NC State community, facilitates a collaborative research and innovation environment, and translates results into social, economic, and technological development across North Carolina and around the world. The Office of Research and Innovation supports the NC State community by identifying strategic research areas and specific funding sources, assisting in proposal development, providing professional development, encouraging partnerships, and providing administrative oversight and support services. The Office of Research and Innovation facilitates an efficient and collaborative research and innovation environment by maximizing access to existing resources, identifying needs, coordinating activities to secure new resources, and promoting an interdisciplinary research culture. The Office of Research and Innovation translates results by licensing IP, leveraging resources, launching start-up companies, communicating the value of our work, and fostering partnerships that lead to social, economic, and technological development. This position will be housed within the Integrated Support Service Center ( ISSC), which provides proposal, financial and administrative support for the Office of Research and Innovation's centers and institutes, Core Research Facilities, and principal investigators across the university who are not affiliated with a college research office. Streamlining these services eliminates costly duplication and creates efficiencies. Learn more information about Research and Innovation and ISSC.
Essential Job Duties	Essential Job Duties: The Director of Research Administration in the Office of Research and Innovation is a key role. The Director is responsible for overseeing research administration staff and managing research administration functions. Reporting directly to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, the Director also maintains a collaborative relationship with the Associate Vice Chancellor for Sponsored Programs and Regulatory Compliance, the Director of Sponsored Programs, Directors of the multiple Centers & Institutes that report within ORI and other key partners across the university. The role involves administering both pre-award and post-award activities, managing a substantial research administration portfolio across multiple Centers, Institutes, and other units at NC State that do not have affiliation with a College research office. The Office of Research and Innovation - Research Administration office supports 30 active clients from across campus, including units that report to the Chancellor, the Provost, the VC of Information Technology, the VC for Research and Innovation and the VC for Business and Finance. During fiscal year 2023 the Research Administration staff assisted with 166 proposals in the amount of $123,298,800 and received 172 awards in the amount of $43,947,761. The ISSC Research Administration team ranks 4th behind the College of Engineering, the College of Agriculture and the College of Sciences in proposals and awards processed in recent fiscal years. Beyond the functions typically associated with research administration, the team has been involved in the initiation and closeout processes for large-scale projects such as the PowerAmerica Institute (Department of Energy) and the Laboratory for Analytic Sciences (Department of Defense), as well as participated in the planning phase for the implementation of the administration for the Plant Sciences Initiative. Key Responsibilities: Research Administration Leadership: Serve as the primary point of contact for all research administration matters within ORI, serving 13 Centers and Institutes as well as other units that are not affiliated with an academic college research office. Interface with offices such as Sponsored Programs and Research Compliance, Contracts and Grants, etc to ensure that ORI complies with Federal, Sponsor, State, and University regulations and guidelines. Mentor, coach, train, and guide ORI Research Administration employees for their professional development and retention Propose solutions to complex challenges Collaboration and Liaison: Act as the liaison between ORI Centers and Institutes or other research programs, the Office of Sponsored Programs and Regulatory Compliance Services (SPARCS), the Office of Contracts and Grants, other NC State college research offices, Federal, State, industry and other sponsors Actively participate in the NC State Research Support Council (RSC) and its Executive Committee, working towards enhancing support for researchers within ORI and NC State generally. Ability to collaborate effectively across multiple organizations within the university, since ORI ISSC Research Administration handles grant activities that frequently cross OUCs Collaborate with others in ORI, faculty, staff, and counterparts at other institutions. Advise the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration as well as the Vice Chancellor for Research in Research Administration related matters. Award Management: Oversee all proposals for submission to sponsors and manage the signing and awarding of memorandums of agreement (MOAs). Submit sponsor proposals on behalf of the University and ORI, indicating agreement (as appropriate) with proposal terms. Coordinate new award meetings, facilitate and monitor reporting, approvals, and budget justifications during sponsored project lifecycles. Compliance Oversight: Exercise discretion and professional judgment for compliance issues associated with sponsored programs administration. Ensure proposals submitted through ORI adhere to sponsor/agency, University, State, and Federal guidelines Training and Development: Provide guidance and training to other ORI units in research administration areas such as compliance, cost accounting standards, interpretation of relevant policies and laws, etc. Stay updated on governmental regulations, policies, and practices through continuing education Team Management: Supervise a team of 4 permanent and additional temporary staff members Devise and implement continuity plans for any needs arising from vacancies in ORI that cover research administration duties Financial Reporting: Prepare and present financial information that reflects ORI's research activity. Contribute to information produced to highlight research activities across ORI and the university at large The Director of Research Administration plays a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of research activities within the Office of Research and Innovation and contributes to the overall success in research administration at NC State.
Other Responsibilities	Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience	Graduation from a four-year college or university with a minimum of three years in research administration; or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
Other Required Qualifications	Problem solving skills Ability to maintain effective working relationships with other university offices, ORI staff and research sponsors Ability to work in a high-volume, fast-paced office Excellent interpersonal skills Knowledge of accounting and auditing principles and practices and the ability to explain and apply these practices. Excellent oral and written communication skills Demonstrated ability to work with groups of stakeholders to create a productive work environment. Extensive knowledge of Uniform Guidance, direct and indirect costs, progress reporting, and other compliance requirements related to federal, state, and other sponsors Advanced budgeting skills Ability to manage competing responsibilities and deadlines. Experience and ability to train others and provide guidance on complex tasks related to compliance, grant preparation, NC State rules and regulations regarding research activities and unit procedures Knowledge of all research administration activities, including proposal preparation, deliverables to the sponsor agency, and financial closeout. Ability to interpret guidelines, rules and regulations and analyze policies and procedures and make decisions based upon the interpretation. If not already a Certified Research Administrator (CRA), the successful candidate will be willing to prepare for and take the exam within the first 1-2 years of employment
Preferred Qualifications	Certified Research Administrator or working towards certification Knowledge of research policies, procedures, and management systems associated with research administration within a higher education environment Experience with NC State enterprise systems Understanding of and appreciation for the partnerships between research administration, development and advancement, human and financial resources, faculty and external research sponsors Experience at a public, land-grant, Research I institution
Required License(s) or Certification(s)	N/A
Valid NC Driver's License required	No
Commercial Driver's License required	No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date	01/16/2025
Anticipated Close Date	Open Until Filled
Special Instructions to Applicants	In addition to your application, please submit a resume, cover letter, and the contact information for at least three (3) professional references.

Position Details

Position Number	00101469
Position Type	EPS/SAAO
Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)	1.00
Appointment	12 Month Recurring
Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather	Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather
Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events	Non Mandatory - Emergency Event
Department ID	068001 - ORI ISSC
AA/EEO	NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-515-3148 to speak with a representative at the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity. If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu. Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit. NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.