Associate Director of Post-Award

FLSA Status: Exempt

Months Per Year: 12

Employment Status: Full-Time

Work Model: Hybrid Eligible*

Seattle University will be one of the most innovative and progressive Jesuit and Catholic universities in the world, educating with excellence at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. We embrace an intersectional framework for defining diversity in its broadest sense, including differences in gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, generational history, culture, socioeconomic class, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, political perspectives, geographic origin and physical ability. Seattle University strives to be a welcome, open and safe campus climate for all who learn, live and work at Seattle University.

Seattle University's Core Competencies

• Effective Team Collaboration: Works harmoniously with others towards a common goal, leveraging individual strengths to achieve shared objectives.
• Emotionally Intelligent Communication: Engages in a skillful exchange of information, thoughts, and feelings, verbally and non-verbally.
• Ethics and Integrity: Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to honesty, professionalism, and alignment with our Jesuit mission in all actions and decisions.
• Flexibility and Innovation: Embraces change, approaching problems with curiosity adaptability, and is committed to making a positive impact.
• Mindful Inclusion: Fosters mindful inclusion by consciously creating a workplace that celebrates differences, embraces cultural humility, and empowers uniqueness.
• Outcomes-Driven Orientation: Sets clear objectives, pursues excellence, and delivers measurable outcomes while upholding Jesuit Catholic values.

Position Description

The Office of Research and Sponsored Projects (ORSP) supports the SU community in securing and managing external funding for scholarship and programmatic initiatives; assisting SU faculty and staff in advancing their scholarship, research, and creative works; pursuing strategic initiatives; and furthering community engagement in pursuit of these goals.

The Associate Director (AD) of Post-Award is a newly created leadership role responsible for overseeing post-award operations, including financial monitoring, compliance, reporting, and award closeout. This position ensures effective coordination of all post-award activities-such as budget revisions, faculty payroll actions, and agency reporting-while serving as a key liaison between faculty, university offices, and sponsors. This position will lead the development of post-award policies and procedures grounded in best practices, supervise the Grant Management Specialist, and chair the Grants Administration Partners (GAP) working group. As a member of the ORSP leadership team, the AD collaborates with the Director and Associate Directors of Research Development (RD) and Pre-award to promote responsible stewardship, institutional compliance, and efficient grant management.

This role requires a proactive, service-oriented professional who takes initiative and operates with a continuous process improvement mindset. This person must manage competing demands and maintain a high attention to detail. Serving as a resource of grants management for the ORSP team and for principal investigators and other campus constituents, this individual must exhibit excellent communication and customer service skills. The role requires someone who can manage complex logistics, support research and reporting efforts, and contribute meaningfully to the strategic goals of the ORSP.

This is a full-time (37.5 hours per week) position, eligible for full medical, vision, and dental benefits. The salary range is $83,600 - $87,550 depending upon experience. After an initial training period, this position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement.

Leadership & Supervision (25%)

The AD of Post-Award provides strategic oversight of post-award operations and directly supervises the Grant Management Specialist. This position also leads the Grants Administration Partners (GAP) working group, ensuring timely execution of initiatives and fostering collaboration across campus units.

The AD serves as a key resource for faculty and staff, working closely with colleagues across the university to uphold grant compliance, resolve issues, and promote a culture of continuous improvement in research administration while maintaining a high-attention to detail and a commitment to excellent customer service. This role is instrumental in maintaining financial integrity, streamlining post-award processes, and supporting the overall success of sponsored projects.

• Supervise central grants management staff and support professional development.
• Lead the GAP working group, ensuring completion of collaborative tasks and strategic initiatives.
• Develop, update, and implement post-award policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal, sponsor, and institutional requirements.
• Draft and revise subaward and contractor process, agreement templates, and related documentation
• Develop and provide relevant trainings and communications related to research administration best practices for our campus community

Award Set-up and Transition (15%)

The AD of Post-Award, in collaboration with the ADs of RD & Pre-Award and Grant Management Specialist (GMS), ensures a smooth transition from award acceptance to active management.

• Coordinate with ADs of Pre-Award, review and negotiate awards and agreements
• Set-up account in Workday and OneAegis systems.
• Lead new award set-up and facilitate onboarding for project teams.
• Draft and review contract agreements including subawards, in collaboration with University Counsel, to meet the needs sponsored projects activities.
• Serve as the primary sponsor contact for post-award matters.
• Participate in team meetings to address post-award issues and coordinate sponsor communications, as appropriate

Financial Management (40%)

The AD of Post-Award holds primary responsibility for the financial management of all active sponsored projects. This includes overseeing award setup, transaction processing, payroll actions, corrections, budget revisions, financial reporting, and closeout preparation. In collaboration with the ADs of RD and Pre-Award, the AD of Post-Award ensures accuracy, compliance, and transparency in all post-award financial activities, serving as a key resource for principal investigators and university partners.

Monitor and reconcile grant accounts, including cost-share commitments.

• Develop and implement process for financial projections of sponsored projects.
• Develop and identify a process for ensuring timely resolution of financial discrepancies.
• Provide regular and accurate budget updates to principal investigators and project support staff.
• Oversee and direct the processing and approvals of sponsored projects transactions (payroll actions, procurement, invoice processing, etc.).
• Monitor and manage subaward and contractor agreements
• Facilitate meetings to review financial status, spending trends and projections, and required reporting.
• Coordinate project rebudgeting and other project changes in collaboration with the PI.
• Manage prior approval requests and sponsor communications as appropriate.
• Lead the award closeout process, including early preparation to ensure timely and compliant closure.
• Serve as ORSP liaison with university financial offices.

ORSP Leadership (10%)

The AD of Post-Award will join the ORSP leadership team alongside the Director and Associate Directors of RD and Pre-Award to guide development and maintenance of the infrastructure, resources, and best practices necessary to meet Seattle University's grant management goals and commitments. The AD provides strategic and expert insights regarding grant and research administration and compliance.

• Contribute as a thought partner to the ORSP leadership team to build research administration infrastructure.
• Provide strategic leadership and feedback to Director in the ongoing improvement of ORSP services and processes.
• Serve as a mentor for grants management aligned staff in ORSP and across campus.
• Perform complex analysis, including historical synopsis, of grant finance and award data.
• Propose new policies and procedures, and necessary updates to increase efficiency of grants management processes to the ORSP leadership team.
• Engage regularly in opportunities for growth and development, including engaging in relevant listservs and professional organizations, as well as participating in relevant conferences and training.

Regulatory Compliance (10%)

The ORSP is responsible for maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations, sponsor guidelines and policies, and university policies and practices. The Associate Director is responsible for ensuring compliance throughout the sponsored project lifecycle.

• Approve and negotiate terms and conditions for award agreements, contracts, and consulting agreements in consultation with University Counsel.
• Consult with University Counsel and other campus regulatory offices (e.g., Institutional Review Board, Biosafety, Student Financial Services) as needed.
• Communicate compliance processes and protocols with Principal Investigators and grants management staff.
• May act as sponsored-agreement related point of contact for state, federal and sponsor audits.
• Remain up-to-date with current sponsor and government policies and regulations (e.g. the uniform guidance, NSF PAPPG, etc.).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education, public administration, business, or a related field.5 or more years of experience in research administration or sponsored project management.
• Experience in higher education or with federally funded research projects.
• Strong leadership skills and demonstrated progression of responsibilities.
• Strong organizational, communication, and customer service skills.
• High attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and collaborative tools (e.g., Teams, Zoom).
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently and collaboratively.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a relevant field.
• 2 or more years of supervisory experience.
• Familiarity and proficiency with Workday.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA).
• Familiarity with federal agency reporting requirements and post-award financial processes.

Application Instructions

Please attach a cover letter with your resume when applying. Job postings are open until filled, unless otherwise specified.

Compensation at a Glance

Salary Range: $83,600 - $87,550

Seattle University has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, and not based on a candidate's gender or any other protected status.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. Seattle University provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your total compensation package.

Benefits at a Glance

Consistent with its fundamental Jesuit values, Seattle University offers a wide range of benefits designed to care for the whole person. Choose from three different medical plans, a dental, and vision insurance programs. Protect your income with life, short & long-term disability coverage. Plan for your future with up to a 10% employer contribution for retirement benefits, comprised of a 5% nonelective employer contribution and an additional dollar-for-dollar match of your voluntary contributions up to a maximum of 5%. You may also take advantage of 100% paid tuition benefits for the employee and dependents, a subsidized transportation benefit, a wellness program with free access to an onsite fitness facility, and a wide variety of campus events. Enjoy a generous holiday schedule, including a paid Holiday break closure in December, vacation and paid sick leave, and paid community service leave. For more information explore the Benefits website at: https://www.seattleu.edu/hr/benefits/

Hybrid Eligible

This position may be eligible for a hybrid schedule after successful completion of an introductory work period of 3-6 months. This may mean that a hybrid eligible role will begin on-campus initially and then will transition to hybrid format following onboarding and training. Flexible work plans are subject to periodic review and may be changed or terminated at any time for any reason at the university's discretion.