Director, Research Administration

Overview

New York Genome Center

Director, Research Administration

New York, NY

About the New York Genome Center

The New York Genome Center (NYGC) is an independent, nonprofit, academic research organization dedicated to advancing genomic research. NYGC scientists and staff are furthering new approaches to diagnosing and treating neurological diseases and cancer through their unique capabilities in whole genome sequencing, RNA sequencing, state-of-the art analytics, and the development of genomic tools. NYGC concentrates specifically on disease-based research in the following areas: neuropsychiatric disease (autism, schizophrenia, bipolar); neurodegenerative disease (ALS, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s), and cancer.

Located in Lower Manhattan, the New York Genome Center was founded by and remains closely affiliated with twelve leading academic medical centers and research universities in the New York region and beyond, engaging in research projects with and for these institutions. Essential to our collaborative work is an outstanding faculty, whose members typically hold a joint appointment at NYGC and a partner university. They support our scientific mission by conducting independent research in areas of mutual interest to us and the wider scientific community. 

The New York Genome Center is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic predisposition or carrier status, protected veteran or military status, domestic violence victim status, partnership status, caregiver status, alienage or citizenship status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The New York Genome Center takes affirmative action in support of its policy to hire and advance in employment individuals who are minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

Position Description

The Director, Research Administration leads the department responsible for administering research grants and sponsored projects at the New York Genome Center. This is a hands-on role: the Office of Research Administration manages all pre- and post-award grant activities and research compliance for the organization. The incumbent serves as a resource for principal investigators (“PIs”) and scientific staff by identifying, facilitating and supporting all applications and awards for extramural funding, and will lead NYGC’s Grant Review Committee. Funding applications may include (but are not limited to) submissions to NIH, NSF, DoD and other federal agencies, foundations and for-profit entities. This position reports to the Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration and manages a team of 2-3 staff. To be successful in the role, it is important for the Director, Research Administration to proactively build collaborative and supportive relationships with external funding representatives, internal PIs and scientific staff.

Responsibilities:

Manage pre-award grant and contract submissions: 

• Support the preparation and submission of high-quality and timely grant and contract proposals to funding agencies;
• Review proposals and note technical requirements; 
• Advise on proposal formats based on review of the Request For Proposal; 
• Advocate for PIs with funding agencies;
• Initiate all required registrations, assurances, and signature requirements for proposals;
• Provide technical guidance to PIs and sponsored projects team members;
• Support budget development for all grants and contracts.

Identify funding sources

• Utilize funding search mechanisms to identify relevant sponsored research funding opportunities (including research specific and career path and career stage specific opportunities);
• Actively and strategically share upcoming funding opportunities with relevant researchers, follow-up on possible proposals, encourage and support subsequent applications;
• Lead the Grant Review Committee, an internal team of scientists and administrators charged with identifying and guiding submissions for upcoming funding applications;
• Act as the key contact with funding program managers to resolve issues or obtain guidance on specific grant issues.

Develop procedures and training: 

• Develop and maintain research administration policies, forms and procedures in consultation with PIs and scientists to support and streamline grant proposal development, submission and maintenance;
• Evaluate the current grants management system and implement changes, when needed;
• Ensure complementary internal procedures are aligned with other administrative offices (Development, Finance, Legal and Project Management) to establish workflows that are efficient and prevent duplication of duties;
• Develop and facilitate training programs to support PIs and other scientific staff grant proposal preparation and writing.

Non-Financial Post-award grant and contract management:

• Review all modifications in awards, requests for extensions and revisions in implementation schedules and negotiate with funding agency representatives concerning these matters;
• Assist the finance department with monitoring the spending on sponsored projects and address any budget variances with the PI and project management. Ensure seamless coordination between the Research Administration and Finance departments;
• Ensure that all funder deadlines are met, including oversight of communicating interim and final reporting deadlines to PIs and administrative staff.
• Support the preparation and administration for all sub-awards to partner institutions and manage sub-recipient monitoring and FFATA reporting;
• Member of the Grant Development Committee for all large grants, including leading required internal meetings and directing or supporting project management and finance on financial and compliance matters.

Reporting:

• Develop projections for the sponsored research portfolio, such as expected number of applications, anticipated revenue, etc.;
• Provide regular and ad hoc reporting and analysis (such as underspent grants, projected vs actual grant revenue, success rates, etc.) to key stakeholders and decision makers; 
• Develop and administer the departmental budget, approve and manage expenditure, and forecast short-and long-term budgeting needs.

Build relationships:

• Provide exemplary customer service to NYGC faculty, grant funding representatives and other stakeholders;
• Provide excellent leadership and people management to the research administration team, including mentoring, coaching, training, and developing staff.

Research Compliance and Privacy Responsibilities:

• Monitor and keep up-to-date with all granting agency regulations, and federal rules and regulations;
• Ensure NYGC understands and meets all compliance requirements related to grant agreements, including mechanisms to properly manage grant obligations;
• Manage and facilitate the coordination of the compliance activities of other departments as it relates to grants;
• Responsible for researching compliance-related education, training and disclosures, working directly with the Senior Manager, Safety and Compliance;
• Assist PIs and scientists in obtaining institutional review board (IRB) resources, as needed, to comply with federal regulations.

Position Requirements

• Undergraduate degree required, Master’s or PhD in a scientific discipline preferred;
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) certification required;  
• 10+ years’ progressive experience in a sophisticated academic research grants/contracts office, including leadership responsibilities, required;
• Experience working in a scientific research environment required;
• Extensive experience with research compliance (including human subjects research) preferred;
• Experience working with program officers at federal and state agencies and acting as effective liaison between PIs/research staff and funding agencies required;
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of federal practices, regulations, policies and guidelines for grants management and sponsored research. NIH experience required; NSF, US DOE, NCI and US DoD experience preferred;
• Demonstrable experience working effectively and collaboratively with PIs required;
• Knowledge of grant accounting and procurement best practices preferred;
• Proven ability to manage budgets required; experience with SSF cost modeling preferred;
• Prior experience in people management required;
• Interest and motivation to dramatically grow the sponsored research portfolio over the next 2-3 years required;
• Experience with PowerPoint, Excel and ASSIST; knowledge of Cayuse and IT WORKS preferred.

Competencies

• Job Mastery- Knowledgeable of current role and technical skills, and the impact it has on the Center.

• Continuous Learning– Strives to expand the depth and breadth of technical and professional skills.
• Collaborative– Encourages participation from team members and works effectively with all levels.
• Credible– Works with a high level of integrity.
• Communicative– Actively listens to others and uses good judgement as to what to communicate to whom; provides feedback.
• Focused – Utilizes efficient and effective processes.
• Adaptable– Demonstrate flexibility with changing priorities.
• Innovative– Develops new insights and pursues improvements.
• Takes Ownership– Prioritizes tasks, manages time and delivers on commitments.

FLSA Status – Exempt

This position is eligible for relocation assistance.