Assistant Director, Post Award

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Post-Award is responsible for the management of post-award operations in the Office of Grants and Contracts (OG&C), including the strengthening, establishment, direction, and oversight of post-award procedures and operations. This position ensures compliant, efficient, and service-oriented administration of the university's sponsored projects portfolio. The Assistant Director supervises post-award staff, oversees financial and regulatory compliance, supports principal investigators (PIs), and partners with central offices (Finance, HR, Procurement, Compliance) to ensure proper stewardship of sponsored funds in accordance with institutional and federal policies, as well as additional sponsor requirements. The Assistant Director of Post-Award is a member of the OG&C leadership team, working in close collaboration and coordination with all OG&C staff, College leadership (Research Deans, College Finance, College Grants Admin, etc.), Provost Office, Compliance Office, Office of Research Protections, etc.

Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership & Supervision

• Supervise and mentor post-award administrators and support staff
• Establish workload distribution, performance expectations, and training plans
• Promote a culture of compliance, accountability, and customer service across post award team
• Lead process improvement initiatives, including the standardization and implementation of operating procedures; assess and strengthen post-award policies, procedures, and internal controls
• Work closely with Assistant Director, Pre-Award, to ensure smooth and efficient transition from pre-award to post-award
• Work closely with Director to monitor award growth, risk exposure, compliance trends, gaps in infrastructure, weaknesses and deficiencies in internal controls; recommend operational improvements

Post-Award Function and Oversight

• Review proposal budgets and budget justifications prior to submission to ensure costs are allowable and sufficiently justified
• Oversee award setup, account establishment, and budget allocation
• Monitor expenditures for allowability, allocability, and reasonableness and consistency with institutional policies
• Review and approve cost transfers/labor re-distributions, rebudgeting, and no-cost extensions consistent with both institutional and federal policies
• Ensure timely submission of all required non-financial reports
• Coordinate award closeout activities

Policy, Process and Maintenance

• Ensure compliance with institutional policies, federal regulations, sponsor terms and conditions
• Interface with sponsors when there are questions related to guidelines, regulations and compliance issues. Remain current on changes to federal, state, and institutional policies and procedures. Work with OG&C leadership and staff on how to best implement and maintain compliance function
• Oversee effort commitments and serve as main point of contact for the Research Accounting Office for effort certification
• Provide guidance on allowable costs, prior approvals, and audit readiness;
• Support the OG&C Director in responding to internal and external audit requests
• Establish standards for document retention in institutional award records. Monitor records for completeness and accuracy. Perform regular audits of dashboard data and correct/update as needed.
• Monitor OG&C website to ensure resources are accurate and up to date.

Post-Award Trainings and Engagement

• Build relationships with individuals and areas across the University engaged with sponsored projects. Participate in various University committees and ad-hoc working groups related to sponsored projects matters.
• Perform other duties and assist with special projects as assigned.