"DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION, Sargent College, Administration, Remote Position"

Job Description

DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION, Sargent College, Administration (Remote position)

Boston University Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences is one of the country's leading schools of health and rehabilitation sciences. Home to more than 1300 undergraduate and 600+ graduate students, Sargent College combines outstanding faculty and cutting-edge research to provide superb education and clinical experiences. The college has more than 30 on-campus research facilities, clinical centers, and labs. It offers top-ranked degree programs in occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech, language and hearing sciences, health sciences, human physiology and nutrition.

The Director of Research Administration is a strategic leader who makes meaningful contributions to the academic mission of Sargent College and directs all research operations for a sponsored research portfolio (pre- and post-award) of over $18 million annually. The Director shapes and implements the policies, fiscal controls, and operational systems for the sponsored research administration team in order to deliver highest quality research services, regulatory compliance, and research operations while collaborating with principal investigators, college leadership, sponsors, and university stakeholders. The role manages, trains and mentors a team of three full-time staff, serves as the college's primary liaison with central research offices, formulates budgets and takes a hands-on lead on complex sponsored award submission and post-award management. The Director will translate strategic aims into research operational plans, policies, and practices. The Director reports to the Associate Dean of Finance and Administration and will provide broad strategic direction and oversight to faculty and research community for Sargent College, while collaborating closely with the Associate Dean for Research, principal investigators, research staff, and the Office of Research.

This position is eligible to work fully remote work following flexible work policies set forth by Boston University's Human Resources.

Essential Functions:

• Direct research operations through collaborative planning and data-oriented approach to research reporting, analytics, and continuous improvement for a complex sponsored research portfolio at Sargent College.
• Directly oversee proposal development and submission, track submissions, awards and progress reports, provide detailed cost analyses and budget justifications, and devise strategies to grow and diversify funding. Facilitate complex proposals and awards, including multi-department and multi-school initiatives. Provide portfolio backstopping as needed.
• Develop and review complex budgets, prepare analyses and progress reports, manage administrative functions for the research administration team.
• Create and implement systems, policies and procedures that support the delivery of high-quality research services and ensure compliance with university and sponsor policies and procedures.
• Lead a high-functioning team of grants management staff of 3.0 FTE. Train, mentor, develop, and provide performance feedback for research administration staff.

Required Skills

Required Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 10 years of related experience.
• Expert knowledge of best practices for both pre-award application processes and post-award financial management and compliance.
• Proven ability to manage compliance with federal government grants and contracts and effectively interpret and apply university and sponsor policies and procedures.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively manage expectations and solve problems independently.
• Excellent technical skills to manage various software platforms, budgets, and reporting tools.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) designation.
• Master's degree.
• Prior experience as a manager of people with proven ability to train, mentor and drive performance of professional staff.