"Senior Director of Faculty Research Management Services"

Overview

The Yale Faculty Research Management Services (FRMS) provides comprehensive grants management support including proposal development, post award management, reporting, compliance support and metrics. FRMS is designed to be the principal faculty-facing sponsored programs and research administration management unit for central campus (i.e., all units outside the School of Medicine and the School of Public Health). FRMS serves as the interface between central services such as the Office of Sponsored Projects (which sets policies and submits research grants and contracts) and academic departments (which process financial transactions and provide direct administrative support to PIs). FRMS supports 48 schools/departments managing approximately $144M in sponsored awards in the last fiscal year. The unit is comprised of over 30 professionals assigned to the Pre-Award and Post Award teams.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Proactive, resourceful strategic thinker with ability to lead a unit with multiple projects in a deadline-driven, fast-paced environment.
2. Strong leadership ability, including the ability to influence change, manage team performance, provide coaching and feedback, promote accountability and create a collaborative working environment with strong team morale and a sense of belonging.
3. Demonstrated superior client relationship management skills; ability to proactively engage clients.
4. Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to balance the needs of clients. Strong oral and written communication, presentation, and organizational skills.
5. Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills. Ability to compile, analyze and explain data accurately and to analyze and resolve complex issues with sound judgment.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills

MBA or an advanced degree.

This position is primarily remote but will require occasional on-site presence

Principal Responsibilities

1. Maintain the strategic direction of FRMS. Shape the overall design and effectiveness of the department, to include the delivery of expert, timely, and accurate pre- and post-award services.
2. Establish and maintain strong faculty and department relationships and ensure faculty/PI’s have access to high-level subject matter experts. Ensure appropriate workflow/mechanisms are established to encourage and preserve the critical relationship between staff and faculty. Develop and cultivate client relationships. Ensure FRMS is available and equipped to provide services to those departments not currently supported.
3. Direct a team of pre- and post-award staff. Create a positive work environment that promotes individual performance accountability, teamwork, a commitment to developing strong customer relationships, and a culture that exemplifies diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
4. Build strong working relationships with Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) for process improvement, application enhancements, and upgrades. Identify and develop strategies that add value and build FRMS’ capacity, expertise, and infrastructure. Integrate with central and research departments as appropriate.
5. Shape the development of processes, procedures and systems to ensure all activities related to sponsored programs management are completed appropriately and efficiently while maintaining compliance with all University, sponsor and regulatory requirements and in alignment with University and department goals.
6. Network with other institutions to share best practices, lessons learned and obtain ideas for continuous improvement. Represent Yale at external conferences and meetings, present information and share the model with a broad research community.
7. Ensure effective Partnership (Service Level) Agreements in concert with departmental Lead Administrators. Develop process standards and metrics to measure the FRMS’ performance; and ensure negotiated partnership agreements are met.
8. Ensure University requirements, policies and procedures are disseminated to the clients served, and they are trained with respect to pre and post award policies and procedures. Establish metric reports that enable FRMS staff to interface with departments and support them in improving internal departmental processes.
9. Ensure strong internal controls are in place and risk is mitigated to optimize effective and appropriate resource use, accurate financial information, adherence to contractual obligations and agreements, policies, procedures, and external regulatory requirements. Ensure department structure is established to identify, address, and escalate risks appropriately.
10. Construct an environment that ensures FRMS staff is skilled and prepared to provide a variety of services including grant application process and producing grant reporting and monitoring support services for Departments. Drive integration and collaboration with OSP as necessary. Influence and shape the development of new business processes to effectively incorporate new initiatives.
11. Direct the alignment of FRMS with the clients it serves and the overall mission of the University. Anticipate and identify critical issues, stay abreast of internal and external forces that impact the University and provide advice and guidance to promote the unit’s and University’s strategic goals.
12. Establish a partnership with Human Resources to attract and retain quality talent. Build a diverse and adaptable staff through performance management and career development processes.
13. Serve on University committees and contribute to the planning and development of policies and procedures.
14. Represent the AVP of Academic Business Operations, for select areas, in his/her absence.

Required Education and Experience

1. Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, or a related field and 10 years of progressively responsible experience including 5 years in a leadership role; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
2. Experience preparing and integrating multiple, complex pieces of financial and non-financial data to identify themes, trends, and issues.
3. Experience in Sponsored Research Administration
4. Working knowledge of finance, fund accounting, and financial reporting analysis.