Sponsored Programs Director jobs in Worcester, MA

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the general direction of the Associate Director or designee, the Sponsored Programs Administrator provides program support to principal investigators, administrators and staff regarding the timely completion of required documents for institutional approval of sponsored programs applications. The Sponsored Programs Administrator will also provide direction and assistance in all sponsored programs processes while adhering to sponsor, institutional, state, and federal guidelines.

This is an open-rank posting (there are 4 levels of Sponsored Programs Administrator) - candidates will be hired into the level commensurate with their experience.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Sponsored Programs Administrator I:

Handle a standard project portfolio involving the life cycle of a grant from proposal to closeout
• Review and verify all aspects of sponsor and institutional forms related to applications/proposals and amendments.
• Assess award documents and recommend changes to ensure compliance with award terms and conditions, University policy, State and Federal laws and regulations
• Negotiate incoming and execute outgoing sub-awards. Audit sub-recipient status and debarment review
• Accountable for accurate demographic data, budget, and research compliance within electronic records
• Collaborate with post-award staff in account set-up of proposals, new awards and modifications to track and report awards and sub-award activity
• Disseminate changes in federal, state, and institutional policies, rules, and regulations and ensure organizational participation in compliance
• Perform other duties as required.

Sponsored Programs Administrator II:

Duties noted above plus:

• Handle a project portfolio of significant complexity for high profile departments with multiple component budgets involving the life cycle of a grant from proposal to closeout
• Develop and present training materials and serve as a resource to both internal and external colleagues
• Evaluate pre-award research administration internal procedures and recommend improvements
• Assess award documents and recommend changes to the sponsor to ensure compliance with award terms and conditions, University policy, State and Federal laws and regulations
• Accountable for accurate demographic data, budget, and research compliance in electronic records as the formal institutional system of record

Sr Sponsored Programs Administrator:

Duties noted above plus:

• Handle a project portfolio of significant complexity for high profile departments with multiple component budgets and atypical projects involving the life cycle of a grant from proposal to closeout
• Assist with the innovation, development, and implementation of special projects
• Evaluate pre-award research administration procedures, recommend improvements, and participate in implementation of new practices
• Prepare and participate in agency inspections and audits
• Participate in the implementation of interdepartmental policies and procedures and systems for grants and contract administration
• Responsible for secondary review of proposals ensuring accuracy with sponsor guidelines
• Disseminate changes in federal, state, and institutional policies, rules, and regulations. Recommend methods to ensure organizational participation in compliance

Team Lead Sponsored Programs Administrator:

Duties noted above plus:

Leadership:

• Responsible for leading a team of SPAs and managing their workloads.
• Responsible for identifying, balancing, and tracking assignments and overall workload for the team; adjusting assignments as appropriate.
• Monitor performance of team members and provide feedback to Associate Director for staff performance reviews. Identify weaknesses and strengths of team members and propose recommendations to Associate Director.
• Support the professional development of team members through mentorship.
• Participate in the development and implementation of initiatives to improve internal processes and maximize team performance.
• Serve as a facilitator in the University's Research Administration Program, develop educational materials and coordinate workshops and seminars on sponsored research topics for faculty members, department administrators and the research community at large, in conjunction with the Training Coordinator.
• Assist (and lead) in the development, implementation, and integration of standard operating procedures and best practices.

Portfolio Management

• Responsible for a project portfolio of significant complexity for high profile departments with multiple component budgets and atypical projects involving the life cycle of a grant from proposal to closeout
• Serve as institutional representative with federal grants management and sponsoring agencies and officials
• Negotiate, analyze and interpret award documentation and legally binding terms and conditions of grant and contract agreements, seeking additional legal or technical guidance when necessary.
• Develop and present training materials for both internal and external constituents in research administration and research systems
• Evaluate pre-award research administration procedures, recommend improvements, and participate in implementation of new policies, procedures and practices
• Provide guidance and assistance to principal investigators, faculty and staff related to proposal development, budgeting, grant compliance and technical requirements
• Assess, negotiate and interpret award documentation and legally binding terms and conditions of grant and contract agreements, seeking additional legal or technical guidance when necessary.
• Prepare for, gather data and participate in sponsoring agency and federal audits, desk reviews and site visits
• Contribute to the development and implementation of interdepartmental policies and procedures and systems for grants and contract administration
• Provide leadership in the expansion of pre-award electronic systems, including evaluating upgrade and interface opportunities, testing and development of reporting
• Mentor and provide direction to less seasoned personnel involved in the development of grant proposals, award modifications, technical systems and reporting
• Responsible for final secondary review of proposals ensuring accuracy with sponsor guidelines and requirements
• Review, verify and certify all aspects of sponsor and institutional data related to applications/proposals and amendments
• Accountable for accurate research compliance, budget and administrative and demographic data within electronic records
• Provide support to the innovation, development, and implementation of special projects
• Interpret and disseminate changes in federal, state, and institutional policies, rules, and regulations. Recommend methods to ensure organizational participation in compliance

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Sponsored Programs Administrator I:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Research Administration, a related field, or equivalent experience
• 0-1 years of business-related experience
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and writing skills needed to present and communicate effectively with a diverse population of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated time management and problem-solving skills with ability to organize and prioritize workload, identify problem areas and take action to meet deadlines.
• Previous experience in an Institution of Higher Education working in Research Administration preferred.
• Familiar with OMB Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, And Audit Requirements for Federal Awards preferred.
• Familiarity with NIH Grants Policy Statement preferred.

Sponsored Programs Administrator II:

• Requirements noted for SPA I plus:
• 1 - 3 years of business-related experience
• Professional Certification in Research Administration (Certified Research Administrator; CRA/CPRA) preferred.

Sr Sponsored Programs Administrator:

• Requirements noted for SPA I plus:
• 3-5 years of business-related experience
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate a team workload and operationalize a high-risk sponsored research portfolio.
• Professional Certification in Research Administration (Certified Research Administrator; CRA/CPRA) or Master's Degree in Research Administration preferred.
• Knowledge of OMB Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of NIH Grants Policy Statement preferred.

Team Lead Sponsored Programs Administrator:

• Requirements noted above plus:
• 10 years of research administration or similar business-related experience
• Knowledge of Huron Pre-Award System preferred.