Associate Director

Reporting to the Director of the Office of Contracts & Grants (OCG), the Associate Director, Office contracts & Grants, is a senior member of the OCG management team and has full leadership, management, supervisory, administrative, and operational responsibilities for the OCG. The associate director will work with the Director, OCG staff, County Directors and Advisors, principal investigators, Business Operation Centers, and county administrative staff to develop and maintain an environment supportive of ANR academics and staff based on communication, outreach, and excellence in customer service. The Associate Director will provide vision and leadership with demonstrated expertise in university administration, contract and grant administration, human resources, and the ability to effectively manage a complex and growing organization.

This position is a career appointment that is 100% fixed.

The home department is the Office of Contracts and Grants. While this position normally is based in Davis, CA, this position is eligible for hybrid flexible work arrangements for applicants living in the State of California at this time. Please note that hybrid flexible work arrangements are subject to change by the University.

Pay Scale: $103,100/year to $149,700 /year

Job Posting Close Date: This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 5/18/2026.

Key Responsibilities:

35%

LEADERSHIP AND SUPERVISION

As a senior member of the Office of Contracts and Grants (OCG) management team, provide leadership and management of the OCG team, serving as an expert to resolve complex situations. Provide oversight for pre-award services. Draft and negotiate highly complex contracts and other legal documents consistent with University policy; conduct comprehensive analyses of contracts proposed by extramural sponsors for compliance with University policy. Assess and delegate OCG workload to achieve unit goals and objectives. Interview, select, train, develop, mentor, motivate, recognize, and retain staff; evaluate performance and provide accurate and timely feedback. Develop a strong, productive, service-oriented work team.

35%

OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

Direct and establish priorities for day-to-day operations, conduct short and long-range strategic planning sufficient to align OCG to successfully manage a dynamic workload, meet changing stakeholder and customer demands and expectations, make efficient use of resources, and conduct business in an open and transparent manner with the goal of achieving OCG's mission, vision, and values. Develop and set team metrics to ensure internal operational efficiencies, maximum productivity, customer satisfaction, and employee proficiency. Foster ongoing relationships with staff, management, customers and stakeholders, senior ANR administrators, and UC System/other campus administrators that encourage regular and open dialogue. Exercise delegated signature authority. Ensure a proper balance of stewardship with customer service.

10%

TRAINING

Administer research administration training programs in the areas of proposal development and award management by independently determining the need for development and implementation of training programs to address the technical, operational, and efficiency needs of internal and external customers. Align learning initiatives, focusing on areas with highest potential for improving business performance and meeting ANR goals. Provide training in OCG services and technical systems. Oversee project management and development of training programs for major ANR-wide and OCG initiatives that will automate, integrate, and bring efficiency to contract and grant management and coordination for administrative and academic units. Partner with internal subject-matter experts, manage external suppliers to identify broad and specific training objectives and develop integrated training recommendations. Establish scope, estimate duration and resources, monitor progress and coordinate communication to stakeholders. Oversee development of online and print training materials that support training initiatives. Assess and address different educational needs, interests, and styles of our diverse ANR community. Align measurement and evaluation of results-based training effectiveness with business metrics.

10%

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

Provide oversight and management of activities related to administrative services for OCG, including the development of strategies to provide effectively and efficient administrative support for OCG; continuously assessing the team's ability to maintain high-quality, value added services in response to the growth of OCG's incoming grant and contract transactions, and implement efficient, new and creative approaches were necessary to address increases in workload volume sufficient to maintain timely processing of transactions; and set, direct and establish priorities while employing outcome measures adequate to evaluate goal attainment.

5%

TECHNOLOGY

Provide oversight and management of activities related to electronic research administration (ERA) for ANR, including the development, coordination and/or implementation of systems for proposal development and proposal and award tracking. Functional lead for major ANR-wide ERA technological initiatives. Utilize various electronic means to advise ANR community of critical or sensitive issues related to solicitation, management and administration of contracts and grants.

5%

POLICY ANALYSIS

Serve as an expert resource for interpreting and applying research policies and regulations. Review new or proposed changes in extramural sponsor policies and UC and ANR policies and procedures. Advise the Director and other ANR officials of the potential impacts of new or proposed changes. Make recommendations for changes to ANR policies and procedures and develop and implement internal ANR policies, procedures, and practices. Assist Director with communicating resolution of compliance issues as applicable.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Research administration experience in a University setting.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate mutually beneficial agreements.
• Demonstrated skills in exceptional customer service, strong management, leadership, sound judgment and decision making, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving.
• Skills to mentor, coach, and hold staff at all levels accountable for work performance and products that add value to an organization.
• Experience interpreting and applying federal and state research guidelines, policies and practices (including intellectual property policies), and complex sponsor requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently; excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• In-depth knowledge of organization operational, personnel, and financial transactions and systems related to administration of contracts and grants.

Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of industry best practices.
• Knowledge of University of California (UC) policies and procedures, and UC experience in research administration.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or equivalent professional certification.