Director of Sponsored Research Administration at Alfred University – Alfred, New York

Alfred University is a Carnegie class small research university with over $5 million in sponsored research expenditures annually from grants and contracts from federal, state and private sources. Reporting to the VP of Business and Finance/CFO, the Director of Sponsored Research Administration serves as the Federal Compliance Officer, institutional grants officer and authorized official liaison with all granting agencies. This role oversees both pre-award and post-award services for university personnel participating in sponsored projects. This role has a dotted line reporting relationship with the Associate Provost for Research and works collaboratively with deans, faculty and administrative offices to improve compliance, service, accountability and efficient operations with all areas of the university.

Salary: $109,147-$115,431 Annually

Essential Functions

• Oversees all operations and personnel within the Office of Sponsored Programs.
• Collaborates with the Associate Provost for Research, academic deans, and faculty to promote and support the submission of proposals.
• Collaborates with leadership team to develop, implement, and update institutional policies regarding research misconduct, indirect cost rates, intellectual property, and grant management
• Serves as an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) to submit proposals and to accept/approve grants, sub-awards, agreements, amendments, and contracts as the College’s authorized official.
• Guides and assists faculty/staff in identifying appropriate funding sources; conducts one-on-one consultations to understand scholarly interests and funding needs.
• Mentors faculty in grant writing processes.
• Assists with budget development and approves final proposed budgets to ensure institutional compliance.
• Reviews and approves external grant proposals (pre-award focus).
• Maintains a grants management information system for administrative reports and grant archives.
• Consults with senior administrators on grant activities requiring institutional resources.
• Serves as post-award liaison between grant recipients and funding agencies (progress reporting, amendments, compliance monitoring, internal and external audits).
• Coordinates institutional grant and foundation efforts with the Business Office and Advancement as needed.
• Maintains knowledge of program solicitations, federal and state regulations and compliance requirements; alerts relevant parties to changes.
• Ensures institutional registration and compliance for federal funding.
• Manages subcontracting processes with collaborating institutions and industry partners.
• Writes, reviews, and negotiates terms of NDAs, MOUs, contracts, and service agreements.
• Maintains memberships and attends meetings for professional development.
• Develops and delivers training workshops on proposal development for faculty/staff.
• Oversees the Office of Sponsored Programs website.
• Serves on institutional committees as appropriate (eg. Intellectual Property, IRB).
• Prepares quarterly reports for the Assoc Provost of Research and the VP for Business & Finance/CFO as needed.

Other Duties & Responsibilities

• Supports and assists in creating intersections and pathways for faculty, staff and students that will assist in transforming people’s lives.
• Supports and assists in creating an evolving culture of connection, mentoring and rich engagement opportunities for faculty, staff, and students.
• Maintains a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and a high degree of cultural competence and respect for a wide range of identities and experiences, therefore welcoming and supporting all faculty, staff and students and expanding access to the AU experience.
• Maintains a safe working environment within and around their facilities and associated equipment and supplies including, but not limited to, obtaining Safety Data Sheet (SDS) information pertaining to any hazards associated with their work environment.
• Participates in all required assigned training, including safety training and will comply with safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Contributes to the overall success of the University by performing other duties as assigned.

Qualifications-Education & Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree required in accounting, legal or related field, advanced degree preferred.
• 3+ years in of grants/research administration or 5+ years in accounting/legal experience, knowledge of OMB Uniform Guidance, department of defense experience preferred.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Pre-award Research Administrator (CPRA), or CFRA preferred
• Strong organizational, budgeting, and management skills; ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership abilities; experience mentoring teams and faculty.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state regulations and compliance.
• Proficiency with electronic research administration systems at federal and state agencies.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Personal Protective Equipment must be worn when required. A respiratory function test and the ability to use respirators may be required. Stairs and uneven surfaces may be present; artificial lifts, etc. may or may not be available. The position may require the incumbent to walk outdoors in all types of weather to other buildings or offices located on the campus. The Campus is located in an area that contains numerous hills and slopes and may not always be fully accessible for mobility impaired individuals.

About Alfred University
Lighting the way for students since 1836. "We've always been a place for makers, especially those who make the future. Our commitment to independent thinking, creativity, academic rigor and community have made us a unique kind of leader since 1836."

Alfred University (AU) was founded on principles of social justice in 1836 by liberal, independent thinkers who placed high value on education for all citizens. The University has retained and built upon the strong values of its founders, developing as an institution of national and international renown that is responsive to the needs of contemporary society while remaining consistent with the spirit of its origins. Alfred University is the second oldest coeducational college in the United States as well as one of the earliest nineteenth century colleges to have enrolled African American and Native American students. It has a long-standing history of educating socially conscious students who make a difference in their professions and their communities.

Over the course of the twentieth century, Alfred University evolved into a complex institution offering a full range of programs in the liberal arts and sciences, art and design, engineering, business, education, counseling, and school psychology to its nearly 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students that live, learn, and play on a 232-acre campus located in an idyllic, creative valley in Western New York. To learn more, visit alfred.edu.

Alfred University actively subscribes to a policy of equal employment opportunity, and will not discriminate against any employee, student or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, gender identification or expression, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, military or veteran status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction status, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.