Manager of Research Operations

Overview

The College of Urban Planning and Policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago is seeking an organized and highly motivated Manager of Research Operations to managing the research operations and long-term planning for the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs (CUPPA). This includes all aspects of research administration and operations including proposal, grant, contract and subcontract development, management and compliance. The position serves as the College’s primary contact with Grants and Contracts, Office or Research Services, College HR, external sponsors and internal/external auditors.

Grant Development

• Identify and inform College faculty of funding opportunities that match their interests and background.

• Research and review sponsor requirements at the proposal state and ensure compliance prior to application submission.

• Direct funding application process and administer research proposals and subcontracts.

• Organize and prepare pre-award proposal documentation including budgets, institutional information, budget justifications, sponsor compliance, regulatory information, and Institutional Review Board (IRB) status.

• Secure cost-share approval, faculty teaching allocation approval and documentation from external subcontractors.

Grant Management

• Serve as a subject matter expert on grant management for the College.

• Manage, review, edit, and administer all financial activities of grants, contracts, consulting agreements, subcontracts, and vendor agreements for sponsored projects.

• Inform PI’s and research staff of changes in sponsor policies and regulations; manage, coordinate and ensure compliance with changes.

• Manage and resolve compliance issues including conflict of interest, sub-recipient reporting, SB 51 impacting procurement processes, flow down provisions related to sponsored research proposals.

• Develop a shadow system to reconcile sponsored project expenses against BANNER, track cost share expenses and forecast budget balances.

• Request accounts and prepare budgets; manage requests for no-cost extensions, progress reports, prior approvals, budget revisions, and grant closeouts on behalf of PI’s.

• Manage all effort reporting activities associated with sponsored research awards. Human Resources

• Identify appropriate employee type/classification for sponsored project, prepare job advertisement and maintain employee data • Notify applicable departmental staff of grant close-outs to initiate personnel transactions for reassignment or termination; Process labor redistributions and/or labor distribution changes.

• Track all personnel C-FOP changes to ensure personnel are accurately reflected in the Effort Reporting process.

• Oversee the administration of undergraduate/graduate students paid on grant funds.

Training

• Develop and lead training and materials to College faculty and staff on appropriate use of P-Cards, T-Cards, employee reimbursement processing, invoices, MOU’s, and program advances.

• Plan, develop and interpret policies and procedures to ensure efficiency, accuracy and proper oversight of the College’s research initiative.

• Update College faculty and research staff and develop training materials as necessary regarding changes in federal policies impacting research operations, i.e., A-133, A-122 and A-21 OMB circulars. Maintains the research administration sections of the College’s Policy Manual.

• Provide orientation and train College staff, principle investigators and directors in the day to day management and annual reporting requirements of research projects.

Reporting

• Collect and route documentation for Just-in-Time sponsor requests including supporting documentation.

• Prepare ad hoc reports for the Dean and Associate Dean for Administration as requested.

The qualifications for this position are:

Bachelor’s degree in basic or social sciences, business, humanities or public health required; Master’s degree preferred. Minimum of five years of experience in a research setting required with at least two of those years performing research, writing research or research management. Certified Research Administrator (CRA) preferred. Strong interpersonal, management and communication skills. Excellent independent judgment and decision-making skills. Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to work collaboratively in a team-based environment.

The qualifications for this position are:

•             Bachelor’s degree in basic or social sciences, business, humanities or public health required; Master’s degree preferred.

•             Minimum of five years experience in a research setting required with at least two of those years performing research, writing research or research management.

•             Certified Research Administrator (CRA) preferred.

•             Strong interpersonal, management and communication skills. Excellent independent judgment and decision-making skills.

•             Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to work collaboratively in a team-based environment.

To apply, please visit: https://jobs.uic.edu/job-board/job-details?jobID=121377 and upload a cover letter, CV and the names and contact information for three references by September 30, 2019.   

The University of Illinois may conduct background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Diversity or Affirmative Action Statement:

The University of Illinois at Chicago is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.