Associate Director, Proposal and Award Services

Description

Reports to the Director, Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), and is responsible for supporting research activity by providing supervision and training oversight to the OSP Proposal and Award Services teams and the institution at-large while providing proposal and award support as assigned.

This position supports the Director by disseminating job critical information and resources, developing and implementing training programs, proposing process improvements to enhance efficiencies, promoting collaboration with cross-functional teams, and facilitating award review and acceptance.

Additionally, Associate Director maybe required to maintain a moderate proposal and award workload for select faculty or divisions. Essential Job Functions :

Advises the Director on staffing needs for the OSP Proposal and Award Services teams. Responsible for coordination of onboarding, training, and evaluating team members.

Directly supervises the Managers of the Proposal and Award Services teams.

In coordination with managers, plans the professional development needs for the OSP Proposal and Award Services teams.

Responsible for actively monitoring and distributions of workloads across the OSP Proposal and Award Services teams, and for ensuring adequate support is in place during high volume proposal submission periods including NIH cycle deadlines.

Monitors and advises on the development of onboarding materials and other forms of training documentation as needed to address knowledge gaps and encourage employee growth and development.

Reviews organizational training needs for a variety of constituents (Faculty, Staff, other RA Teams), develops and conducts training as identified.

Shares knowledge and expertise on matters pertaining to the interpretation of Federal, State and Institutional policies, procedures and guidelines with OSP Grants & Contracts team and faculty.

Liaison and resource to Research Support Office, Research Business Management, Finance, ORIC, OCCT, and clinical operations staff in research processes related to OSP’s role in operational and financial concerns regarding grants;

participates in process analysis and improvement; prepares and presents training to investigators and clinical research staff on aspects of grants, awards, and subaward / research agreements.

Identifies and promotes ways to streamline efficiencies through grant management tools including the electronic research administration software system and DocuSign.

Develops and ensures efficient processes exist for award receipt, review and processing across partner teams and between grants team members and PIs.

Prepares and disseminates reports as requested by Director OSP, Manne Research Institute leadership, and faculty.

Serves as the backup institutional official for all grant and contract submissions in the absence of the Director, OSP.

Serves as backup for managers to submit proposals and negotiate / accept during absences or heavy volumes.

Responsible for special projects as requested by the Director, OSP.

Other job functions as assigned.

Knowledge , Skills and Abilities :

A level of knowledge acquired through a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 7 years progressive experience in Research Administration and Sponsored Programs or a master's and 5 years.

NIH / HHS experience preferred.

CRA, CPRA, or CFRA preferred. Alternatively, expectation is that the incumbent will sit for one of the certification exams within 18 months of hire.

Demonstrated mentoring and training skills for a variety of audiences from faculty to research administrators.

Interpersonal skills necessary to provide effective leadership for team personnel, to a variety of internal and external contacts and to interact effectively with physicians, PI’s, and other medical center personnel.

Ability to establish priorities and to react to a large number of requests and needs.

Proficient in Microsoft office and related software tools; prefer experience training and using electronic research administration systems, including Cayuse Research Suite

Education Benefit Statement For full time and part time employees who work 20 or more hours per week we offer a generous benefits package that includes : Medical, dental and vision insuranceEmployer paid group term life and disabilityEmployer contribution toward Health Savings AccountFlexible Spending AccountsPaid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave403(b) with a 5% employer matchVarious voluntary benefits :

Supplemental Life, AD&D and Disability

Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage

Tuition assistance

Student loan servicing and support

Adoption benefits

Backup Childcare and Eldercare

Employee Assistance Program, and other specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members

Discount on services at Lurie Children’s facilities

Discount purchasing program

There’s a Place for You with Us At Lurie Children’s we embrace and celebrate diversity and equity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and viewpoints recognizing that diverse identities strengthen our workplace and the care we can provide to the Chicago community and beyond.

We treat everyone fairly, appreciate differences, and make meaningful connections that foster belonging and allyship. This is a place where you can be your best, so we can give our best to the patients and families who trust us with their care. Support email :