Director

Overview

Position Summary The Director provides institutional leadership and strategic direction for Metropolitan State University of Denver’s (MSU Denver) Office of Sponsored Research and Programs with an emphasis on collaborative assistance to faculty, staff, and administrators in all areas related to the discovery, development, implementation, and management of publicly funded grants, grant-related contracts, sponsored research, and undergraduate research. The Director collaborates with relevant individuals and units to develop public grants-related policies and procedures, including but not limited to policies related to the distribution of Administrative and Facilities (A&F aka Indirect Cost Recovery (ICR)) funds; compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulations and policies; Human Subjects Review (Institutional Review Board [IRB]; and others. Reporting Structure: This position reports to the Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs. We seek employees who have the ability to work with, are sensitive to, and are committed to the educational needs of a diverse urban population and who are familiar with public grants that can support the work of faculty and staff at a public, comprehensive, regional university in an urban setting serving a diverse urban student population. MSU Denver is an equal opportunity employer. Duties/Responsibilities Discovery (15%) – Develop and maintain the best possible practices and techniques for the discovery of grant and grant-related contract opportunities, which will enhance the role and mission of the University. Grant Administration (25%) – Provide guidance and support specifically to the designated grant or contract administrator and generally to the University, throughout the life cycle of the grant. Proposal Assistance (25%) – Oversee the preparation, authorization, and submission of grant proposals, and grant-related contracts. Pay particular attention to the Principal Investigator(s) (PI) budget development for a grant project; to compliance with the funding agency’s proposal and budget guidelines; to narrative development and responsiveness to the funding agency’s guidelines; and to completeness prior to its being circulated for approval by appropriate unit administrators and subsequent submission to the funding agency. Budget Oversight (10%) – Ensure PIs develop appropriate budgets to support their project. Serve as the liaison with the University budget office and funding agencies for all matters related to negotiated budgets for grants and grant-related contracts. Policy and Procedures (10%) – Recommend and implement – once approved – policies and procedures related to grants and grant-related contracts. Office Leadership and Management (10%) – Lead and manage all activities related to the daily operation of the Office of Sponsored Research and Programs. Provide effective communication across all entities involved with grant development, implementation, administration, and close-out. This also includes supervision of four full time employees including an Associate Director, two Proposal Development Specialists and a Post Awards Coordinator & Billing Specialist. This may also include supervision of student employees. Liaison (5%) – to Public Funding Agencies – Serve as the liaison to funding agencies and to MSU Denver’s Advancement team working on corporate or private foundation grants/contracts. OBJECTIVES: The Executive Director will cultivate and connect the MSU Denver faculty, staff, and administrators with opportunities for grants and grant-related contracts. Required Qualifications Master’s degree. • Have significant experience working in a management position, which was directly involved with grant programs. • Demonstrated experience and ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups of individuals to accomplish a complex task within a defined period of time. • Demonstrated experience with garnering grants. • Demonstrated experience leading a team. • Demonstrated excellence in writing and organizational skills. • Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills. Preferred Qualifications • Ph.D. or terminal degree • Demonstrated success in obtaining public funding for projects, as an individual or for an institution. • Demonstrated membership in a professional organization such as SRA and NCURA • Knowledge of state and federal regulations governing sponsored programs and major funding agencies such as the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Health, U.S. Department of Education, Colorado State Department of Education, etc. • Demonstrated experience working with sponsored research and undergraduate research programs, including Human Subjects Review Committees (HSRC) and/or Institutional Review Boards (IRB). • Documented success in providing oversight and hands-on involvement in all aspects of the grant life cycle including writing grant proposals, post-award implementation, fiscal management and reporting, and growing a funding portfolio. • Certified Research Administrator (CRA)