Senior Research Administrator - Chicago, United States - Northwestern University

Description

Department: MED-Medical Social Sciences
Salary/Grade: EXS/9

Target hiring range for this position will be between $75,196-$95,245 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Job Summary:

The Senior Research Administrator is a member of the Medical Social Sciences research administration unit, primarily supports Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing (ISGMH), and provides administrative leadership by incorporating a significant amount of experience in support of unit's research programs and mission. Using extensive research administration experience within the same unit, coordinates all aspects of multiple grant &/or contract pre- & post-award activities. Assists in developing new funding opportunities & strategic plans regarding grants &/or contracts by providing guidance & counsel in regard to grant &/or contract administration which includes attending internal & external meetings, interpreting clauses, reviewing contracts, & resolving reporting &/or expense problems. Reviews associated policy & procedures & recommends changes to increase productivity & effectiveness.

The Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing (ISGMH) was founded in 2015 and is the first university-wide institute in the country focused exclusively on research to improve the health of the sexual and gender minority (SGM) community. The Institute leads research that fosters understanding of the development and experiences of SGM individuals and improves the health and wellbeing of the SGM community. Sexual and gender minorities include lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people - anyone whose sexual or gender identity does not conform to social majority categories of sexual orientation or gender.

ISGMH Diversity Statement: ISGMH's commitment to diversity is critical to our mission of advancing access to excellence in academic programs, world-class research, and health programs. Engagement in discrimination or harassment against any person because of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military service, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression will not be tolerated. Through its work, ISGMH advances the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ individuals. Staff and trainees should expect to find a diversity of sexual orientations and gender identities among ISGMH staff, trainees, research participants, and in outreach experiences. We highlight the importance of respecting and valuing this aspect of diversity among staff and trainees.

Specific Responsibilities: .

Complexity

* Typically administers multiple research projects such as:

* Complex multi-PI or multi-unit proposals, grants &/or contracts

* Research portfolio for a more complex small to mid-sized unit

* NIH U-approximately $500K+/yr. over multiple yrs.

* NIH P-approximately $500K+/yr. over multiple yrs.

* NIH T-approximately $100-$200K+/yr. over multiple yrs.

* DOD and industry awards

* Center or program grants

* Proposals with cost sharing

* Fixed-price contracts

* Non-funded negotiations such as NDAs, user agreements

Pre-Award

* Manages pre-award administration of grants and &/or contracts.

* Coordinates proposal submission.

* Coordinates budget and justification preparation.

* Completes sponsor and university proposal forms.

* Coordinates IRB and IACUC protocols; sub-recipients, facilities, administrative costs, space, and co-investigator agreements.

* Creatively and proactively evaluates and resolves problems and makes decisions.

Post-Award

* Coordinates post-award activities.

* Monitors execution of all financial transactions in research portfolio.

* Forecasts & provides information for reports on financial status of projects.

* Manages day-to-day financial functions.

* Verifies that protocols are linked to CUFS chart strings; labor distribution assignments.

* Completes expenditure reviews.

* Reconciles monthly payroll entries.

* Verifies & processes cost share entries.

* Prepares & submits invoices to sponsors.

* Identifies program income issues.

* Proposes resolutions to overdrafts.

* Prepares interim & final financial reports.

* Facilitates account close out activities.

* Participates in efforts to improve research administration including serving on university committees related to research administration.

Financial

* Oversees unit's entire sponsored project portfolio.

* Reviews transactions and resolve issues that requires a more complex level of financial understanding such as cost-sharing &/or effort reporting knowledge.

* Provides information to senior management that is used for department budgeting purposes.

Human Resources

* Manages & integrates all departmental staff efforts for grant &/or contract administration.

* Provides research administration training.

* Develops staff.

* Mentors other administrative staff in research administration.

* Serves as the primary resource for research administration guidance.

Compliance

* Ensures compliance with all appropriate NU policies & practices; local, state, federal, agency & sponsor rules, regulations & requirements regarding grant &/or contract administration.

* Recommends changes to improve programs, policy &/or practice.

* Resolves compliance problems & issues working in conjunction with faculty.

Supervision

* Provides direct supervision to research support staff.

* Assigns & reviews staff work.

* Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

* A bachelor's degree or 2 years financial or administrative support experience.

* 5 years research administration experience.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

* Organization, time management, detail oriented

* Multi-tasking, communication

* Self-starter, diplomatic, pro-active, manage stress

* Managing people

* Provide leadership by cooperatively anticipating, coordinating, strategizing

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

* Knowledge and interest of LGBTQ issues

* 3+ years' experience in pre- and post-award with large/complex grant mechanisms (i.e., NIH research Centers [P20, P30, P50] or cooperative agreements [U54].

* Certified Research Administrator

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

* Demonstrated experience in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more Visit us at to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
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We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
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