The position reports to the Executive Vice President. In collaboration with the Grants Administration team, is directly responsible for establishing, contributing to, continually improving and facilitating the process by which Institution Scientific Staff and other Principal Investigators secure sponsored research funding and ensuring compliance with Institution and government pre- and post- funding regulations. As a contributing member of the team, is expected to be committed to the common purpose, performance goals and approach for which the team members hold themselves mutually accountable. Performance evaluation will be based on a combination of team success and individual accomplishment.

Unprecedented and unusual situations, including complex negotiations/awards, are handled directly and with full accountability for actions through exercising independent judgment and discretion appropriate to administrators at this level.

•  Clarifies team purpose and goals; builds team commitment and strengthens team's collective skills and work approach; ensures that team members work collaboratively in support of cross- training to assist in peak load times, during office absences and as a general resource for all users of these services.

•  Develops and implements short- and long-term grants administration strategies designed to reduce costs and improve quality and service while meeting Institution goals and objectives and works closely with Institution staff to ensure these measures are achieved.

•  Works closely with Institution staff involved in sponsored research activities to ensure effective, accurate and efficient procedures.

•  Through periodic internal and external feedback procedures, measures effectiveness of operations and proposes methods for continuous improvement.

•  Serves as principal advisor to the Directorate on various aspects of sponsored research activities and maintains related statistical reports.

•  Through electronic identification of sources, networking and sending out hard copies, assists in identifying funding opportunities, particularly through non-traditional sources, to appropriate staff; resources may be provided from scientific departments (e.g., key work database of scientists' interests).

•  Acts proactively to establish communicative links with agency representative and will be expected to travel to Washington , D.C. in support f these efforts.

•  Facilitates preparation of grant and contract proposals, including determining and communicating current requirements to the P.I.'s and assists in the preparation of forms and formatting, as necessary.

•  Negotiates contractual requirements of awards and contracts on behalf of the Institution and P.I, in accordance with established procedures and regulations and with authority to sign/accept on behalf of the Institution.

•  Facilitates grant/contract tracking and start-up at the Institution, ensuring accurate communication/notification to P.I., department and Controller's staff, as appropriate.

•  On behalf of P.I.'s and working closely with the Center/Department Administrators, assists in problem solving as related to the obtaining and expending of grant and contracts, such as first-time situations, pre-award spending, no-cost extensions.

•  Facilitates the preparation and submission of final reports and close-out arrangements with funding agencies and in accordance with Institution and agency reporting requirements.

•  May be expected to facilitate negotiating and processing of Institution sub-contracts.

•  Participates in the design and utilization of Institution administrative systems to ensure maximum effectiveness; keeps abreast of system enhancements/potentials and recommends changes as appropriate.

•  In accordance with Institution guidelines, oversees operating budget and is accountable for team and individual performance and professional development.

•  Represents the needs of sponsored research administration on various Institution ad-hoc committees and planning groups.

•  Performs related duties as required.

College degree preferred with several years of increasingly responsible, directly related experience or equivalent education/experience; must have demonstrated results in three or more of the following areas: contractual negotiation, grant/contract administration, process improvement, computer expertise in networking, databases and spreadsheets, scientific literacy, problem solving/decision-making, client satisfaction. Strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills essential, along with demonstrated leadership, teamwork and personal initiative; computer proficiency required.