Assistant Director, Proposal and Award Management
Overview
Job Summary
Supervises proposal submission and approval process in accordance with applicable guidelines and regulations to secure external funding for USM. Leads contract negotiations for complex contracts and serves as point of contact with projects involving the USM Research Foundation. Assists with staff, departmental, and faculty training. Resolves problems and concerns in areas related to external funding, and clearly communicates policies, procedures, and regulations. Assists Director by assuming additional duties and managing special projects as required.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
1. Supervises Contracts and Grants Coordinators and Contracts and Grants Administrators in preparation and submission of proposals for external funding, including budgeting, forms preparation and review. Assures internal review and approval of proposals prior to submission to sponsor. Monitors staff workload and recommend adjustments to the Director as necessary. Ensures compliance with university, federal, and sponsor guidelines and regulations, including but not limited to sponsor deadlines. Takes the lead in submission of unusually complex proposals. Serves as an Authorized Organizational Representative to approve proposal submissions on behalf of the University.
2. Supervises award acceptance of external funding. Takes the lead in negotiating complex contracts. Coordinates with legal counsel, Office of Technology Development, and others as necessary. Serves as point of contact with projects involving the USM Research Foundation.
3. Stays abreast of new issues emerging within research administration (i.e., OMB Circulars, FAR clauses, sponsor specific terms and conditions) and provides training for faculty and staff.
4. Assumes additional duties and special projects (examples may include meetings with external sponsor officials, principal investigator training, business processes and workflow, drafting documents for internal and external purposes, electronic systems changes and upgrades). Represents the office on university committees and to external organizations.
5. Supervises staff to ensure efficient and compliant non-financial award management, such as subaward preparation, project and administrative changes, and project transfers.
6. Communicates and cooperates with postaward accountants, other ORA staff, and PI/PDs to ensure smooth and accurate transmission of proposal and award information. Resolves problems and questions related to specific funded projects or to external funding in general.
7. Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Associate’s degree with five years’ experience in research administration, and three years’ supervisory experience.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Ability to communicate effectively (oral and written) with people from a wide variety of educational and occupational backgrounds
- Ability to meet deadlines while performing multiple tasks simultaneously
- Attention to accuracy and detail
- Ability to maintain confidentiality, and to understand, convey and advise on complex regulations, policies and procedures
- Ability to provide quality and timely service to constituents
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools such as Word and Excel
- Travel is sometimes required, both day trips and overnight trips
- Some evening work (past 5:00 p.m.) may be necessary
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and five years’ experience in university research administration with emphasis on preaward administration, and five years’ supervisory experience.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Contracts and Grants Coordinators (2)
Contracts and Grants Administrators (4)
About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is a comprehensive public research institution delivering transformative programs on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites in central and southern Mississippi, as well as online. Founded in 1910, USM is one of only 130 universities in the nation to earn the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education's "R1: Doctoral Universities - Very high research activity" designation, and its robust research enterprise includes experts in ocean science and engineering, polymer science and engineering, and sport venue safety and security, among others. USM is also one of only 40 institutions in the nation accredited in theatre, art and design, dance and music. As an economic driver, USM generates an annual economic impact of more than $600 million across the state. USM welcomes a diverse student body of approximately 15,000, representing 71 countries, all 50 states, and every county in Mississippi. USM students have collected four Truman Scholarships and 36 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships, while also leading Mississippi with 24 Goldwater Scholarships, an honor that recognizes the next generation of great research scientists. Home to the Golden Eagles, USM competes in 17 Division I sports sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For more information, visit www.usm.edu.
As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer/Americans with Disabilities Act institution, The University of Southern Mississippi encourages minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities to apply.