"Assistant Director of Research Administration"

Location:

Raleigh NC

Essential Job Duties:

The Assistant Director of Research Administration (ADRA) is a leadership role within the College of Sciences responsible for overseeing and coordinating all post-award research administration activities across departments, centers, and clusters. In this role you will ensure consistency, efficiency, and compliance in post-award processes while supporting and training research administration staff. Additionally you will serve as a key liaison between COS departments, central university offices, external sponsors, and faculty researchers.

This role reports to the Director of Research Administration, with a dotted-line relationship to the Associate Dean for Research.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Leadership & Oversight

• Supervise Senior Research Accountants, Research Accountants, and Technicians.
• Provide strategic oversight of post-award operations across COS.
• Lead regular team meetings and foster collaboration with Department Business Officers.
• Develop and implement SOPs and best practices.
• Serve as Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) for post-award activities.

Post-Award Portfolio Management

• Conduct monthly reviews of the CRO portfolio using internal systems (Airtable, Zendesk, WRS).
• Monitor financial compliance and audit risks.
• Ensure timely processing of summer salary, release time, PCard approvals, payroll actions, and other financial transactions.
• Coordinate smooth transitions from pre- to post-award activities.

Reporting & Faculty Support

• Oversee tracking and submission of Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs).
• Ensure monthly financial reconciliation reports are delivered to PIs.
• Meet with faculty to review portfolios and address questions.

Training & Performance Management

• Lead onboarding and ongoing training for post-award team members.
• Conduct performance reviews and manage improvement plans.
• Foster a team-oriented, service-driven culture.

Liaison & Representation

• Represent COS Research Administration at university-level meetings and events.

Other Work/Responsibilities:

N/A

Minimum Experience/Education:

Require post-baccalaureate credentials or a bachelor's degree plus alternative or equivalent professional training and experience may be substituted for the advanced degree on an exceptional basis.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience in research administration, accounting, compliance, or financial oversight within an academic, research, or similarly complex organization.
• Direct involvement working with or supporting federal sponsors (e.g., NIH, NSF) and familiarity with sponsor-specific regulations and requirements.
• Demonstrated leadership, team-management, and staff-guidance competencies in complex administrative environments.
• Problem-solving, analytical, and independent decision-making skills.
• Ability to clearly and professionally conveys complex research administration information to faculty, staff, central offices, and sponsors, fostering shared understanding, coordinated action, and a customer-focused approach.
• Effectively manages multiple priorities and projects in fast-paced, high-volume environments while maintaining accuracy, attention to detail, and professional composure.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5+ years of research administration experience with strong grant financial management.
• 2+ years of managerial experience.
• Demonstrated ability to provide excellent customer service and engage with faculty, staff, and stakeholders across campus.
• Familiarity with NC State systems (PINS, RED, WRS) or similar university research platforms, and proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, or similar tools.
• Skill in developing, documenting, and implementing efficient procedures and standard operating processes.

Required License or Certification:

N/A

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