Position Number: 003956

Department: Div of Research (Adm)

Employment Type: Permanent - Full-time

Months Per Year: 12

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Administration ( AVCRA ) reports directly to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and plays a lead role in supporting and accomplishing the University’s strategic plan by overseeing and managing the comprehensive research administration functions within the Division of Research.

Under the Associate Vice Chancellor’s direction, the AVCRA oversees and directs the Office of Research Services ( ORS ) and the Office of Sponsored Projects Administration ( OSPA ), supervising 4 direct reports who oversee approximately 43 staff members and are responsible for staffing and employee development. ORS and OSPA are responsible for the management of pre- and post-award grant administration; contract negotiation, facilitating faculty and staff participation in extramural grant seeking; fiduciary responsibility to all external funding agencies and in compliance with state and federal guidelines; ensuring appropriate use of extramural funds; and maintenance of the University’s reputation and integrity.

The AVCRA will provide leadership, strategic and visionary direction for ORS and the OSPA as well as oversee the fiscal and non-fiscal management and administration of externally funded programs, including implementation of policies and organizational management. The AVCRA will lead efforts to provide the highest level of support for the University research community by developing streamlined and transparent processes for research administration; fostering a culture of problem-solving and teamwork; and advancing professional development and mentoring opportunities for research support professionals. The AVCRA will work with the ORS and OSPA management teams to develop and fine-tune internal systems and procedures to promote efficiency in workflow, including procedures related to automated processes to minimize duplication and manual processes.

Among the key priorities for the new AVCRA will be:

• Driving continuous improvements in the quality and effectiveness of administrative services provided to the campus.

• Developing and leading strategic planning initiatives to anticipate and respond to the rapidly changing federal regulatory climate with an increased emphasis on compliance and documentation.

• Formulating and implementing new processes and policies required by changes in the federal and/or state regulatory environments, and changes in research and sponsored business processes and policies to enhance service; monitor activities with appropriate metrics and evaluation techniques; and continuously assess performance and make improvements.

• Partnering with other offices in the Division of Research (Center for Research Excellence, Office of Research Protections and Integrity, and Office of Research Commercialization and Partnerships).

• Maintaining a strong working knowledge of external sponsor regulations and functioning as a liaison at the national level by participating in national and regional forums for policy discussions and dissemination of best practices. Remaining abreast of current federal regulations and pending changes, Federal Acquisition Regulations, Code of Federal Regulations, and Cost Accounting Standards.

• Directing the preparation of F&A proposals and fringe benefit rate proposals and negotiating with the cognizant federal agency.

• Facilitating discussions between faculty principal investigators, colleges, departments, and external funding agencies to interpret and communicate policies and procedures or specific agreement terms for institutional implementation.

• Establishing and maintaining positive, effective relationships with faculty and staff, all units within the Division of Research, sponsor agencies, sponsored program staff at UNC , the UNC System Office, and non- UNC System campuses, as well as with those outside North Carolina and the United States to facilitate the work of research administration at the University.

Minimum Experience / Education:

• Master’s degree and

• At least three years of extensive experience in research and sponsored projects administration in a higher education setting.

Preferred Education Skills and Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experiences across the full life-cycle of grants and contracts research administration (pre- and post-award).

• Strong leadership, entrepreneurship, and administration skills.

• Demonstrated research administration excellence through professional activity.

• Extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of research administration in a university setting and the ability to plan and direct the work of others.

• Strong inter-and intrapersonal skills, oral and written.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with multiple stakeholders, internally and externally.

• Ability to quickly gain a thorough knowledge of university budgeting and accounting principles and practices and personnel management practices.

• Strong familiarity with federal and private research funding and ability to analyze, interpret, and implement policy guidelines and exercise judgment, discretion, and initiative in the development of a wide range of administrative policies and procedures.

• Demonstrated extensive knowledge of federal regulations relevant to university sponsored programs, and experience negotiating awards and industry contracts.

• Experience working with large, enterprise-wide financial and reporting systems, including experience in negotiation of F&A and fringe rate proposals with cognizant federal agency.

• Experience working in a legal and financial compliance/ audit environment at an institutional/enterprise level.

• Experience in educating, communicating with, and supporting researchers and staff in an academic environment.

• Experience in leadership, policy development, and oversight role at an institutional level.