Assoc. VP, Research Administration (A)

Associate Vice President, Research Administration

The University of Miami seeks a collaborative and experienced research administration professional as the Associate Vice President (AVP), Research Administration for the Office of Research Administration (ORA). This is a unique opportunity to lead a team of integrated pre and post award research administrators at the heart of a dynamic research University. The AVP will work closely as a team with three other Executive Directors (Pre-Award, Strategic Initiatives and Post- Award) reporting to Vice Provost for Research. The AVP will cultivate, integrate, and manage research applications and contracts from philanthropic, industrial, and federal sponsors and partners. Awards are in excess of $500 Million annually.

The successful candidate for Associate Vice President must possess extensive experience with grants and contracts and research administration. This role will require a broad background, including research sponsored by government agencies as well as private for- profit and not-for-profit organizations.

Key Responsibilities :

• Leads the research administration team in providing faculty and other stakeholders responsive, timely, and accurate service in accordance with industry best practices and established key performance indicators.
• Supervises and coordinates activities of all central pre and post award staff in the advancement of the University Research enterprise.
• Fosters a culture of collaboration and accountability across the team.
• Coordinates with other University entities, external consultants and governmental units including representation to the Council on Governmental Relations and the Federal Demonstration Partnership.
• Maintains senior management awareness of work plan progress.
• Trains Schools / Departments for roles and responsibilities for Research Administration.
• Consults and advises Schools on research administrative staff including staff reviews.
• Develops governmental recovery rates for sponsored research, administrative fees, and other rates charged to sponsored projects.
• Serves as key liaison and lead rate negotiator with relevant government agencies.
• Monitors data collection for the audit required under applicable requirements and resolves issues arising out of audit.
• Ensures research activities that involve a service and / or recharge center are compliant with University policy, including review and approval of new service center requests to the Core Advisory Committee.
• Coordinates risk assessments for new sub-recipients.
• Oversees and maintains the University's space survey for purposes of Facilities and Administrative Cost rate development.
• Ensures internal control oversight and compliance with laws and regulations, safeguarding of assets, compliance with University policies and procedures, reliability of internal and external reporting, and efficiency and effectiveness of operations. Creates an effective control environment, conducts risk assessment, implements, and monitors controls.
• Develops and oversees strategy for research administration at the University, including associated policies, procedures, systems and support.
• Acts as the expert on regulations (including the Uniform Guidance and the FAR), agreement terms, and Institute policies, practices, and priorities regarding pre-award activities; communicates these to research administrators.
• Responsible for review, reporting and analysis to aid senior leaders in strategic planning and decision making as it relates to the research enterprise.
• Responsible for overall analysis of the research portfolio to be reported upward to the Provost.
• Cultivates relationships and communicate regularly with research administration officials at UM and Jackson Memorial Hospital, one of the largest not-for-profit health systems in the United States.
• Oversees administrative research compliance. Ensures full partnership of research administration in the university's research compliance program and works closely with the University's Disclose Profile system to ensure overlap and integration across the research continuum.
• Collaborates with appropriate institutional stakeholders, develops and implements education and training programs for investigators, research staff, administrators, and others in the research community on relevant topics, including but not limited to : proposal development, grant budgets, contract budgets, research systems, federal regulations, research data management, etc.
• Leads continuous process improvement for the research operations environment by partnering with other university departments to streamline and align on the many facets of the research administration organization : Business Services, Purchasing, Finance, Privacy and Data Security, IRB / Human Subject Research Office, General Counsel, Enterprise Business Solutions and Information Technology, Technology Transfer, Development & Alumni Relations, and Human Resources.
• Develops new and revises existing policies and processes for research administration that are PIcentric, efficient, and transparent for all relevant stakeholders.
• Represents research administration through service on institutional, state and national stakeholder groups.
• Increases efficiency and service through use of electronic research administration systems, enterprise resource planning systems (i.e., Workday) and tools.
• Collaborates with Development & Alumni Relations to ensure fluidity in the management of grants and contracts awarded by non-governmental agencies, private corporations, and foundations.
• Develops the internal training mentoring program for ORA staff, with clear expectations, metrics / benchmarks, and career paths.

Education :

Bachelor's degree in relevant field required; Master's degree is strongly preferred.

Experience :

Minimum 10 years of relevant experience. Experience in building strategic partnerships to improve processes and facilitate innovation.

Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes :

Knowledge of business and management principles.

Demonstrated expertise in federal web-based grants management systems and enterprise financial systems.

Enjoys working in a fast-paced and challenging environment, and with all levels of institute staff.

Proficient with research and grant administration software as well as Microsoft Office applications.

Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills.

Highly numerate with demonstrated excellence in analytic skills.

Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

Works independently with minimal supervision; respects deadlines.

Ability to direct, manage, implement, and evaluate department operations.

Ability to establish department goals, and objectives that support the strategic plan.

Ability to effectively plan, delegate and / or supervise the work of others.

Ability to lead, motivate, develop, and train others.

Exceptional communication skills, both verbally and in writing.

Exceptional presentation skills.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Females / Minorities / Protected Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law. Click here for additional information.