Director, Office of Sponsored Programs

Overview

JOB DESCRIPTION

General Summary:    

Responsible for the operation and leadership of the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) which support faculty and research staff in successfully seeking, acquiring, and managing external funding for their research and other sponsored project efforts. OSP includes two teams: (1) Grants and Contracts; (2) Industry Studies/Research Contracts. Reporting to the COO of the Research Institute, the Director serves as a member of the Research Administration leadership team and advises the COO and research leadership on policy and trends. Collaborates with Manne Research Institute Research Administration partners (Research Compliance, Research Business Management, Research Business Operations/Post-Award Financial Management, Clinical Trials Office, Research Navigation, Clinical Research Managers, and Research Administration Coordinators/Grants Specialists), Department/Divisional partners, and Medical Center partners in developing and implementing efficient and effective processes related to grant and contract administration.

Essential Job Functions:

• Provides leadership and overall guidance to a diverse team of staff involved in review, approval, negotiation and administration of research, educational, and public service proposals, grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, subawards and may include ancillary research agreements such as material transfer agreements, confidentiality agreements and data transfer agreements and the provision of technical and administrative guidance and support to faculty and staff seeking outside funding for research, public service, and special sponsored institutional projects.
• Sets strategic goals for the office of Sponsored Projects and leads efforts to achieve those goals. Establishes and evaluates team management structure and ensures clarity of team roles and responsibilities, adequate staff experience levels, staff FTE levels, and workload distribution.  Assigns and assesses workload for the office and monitors performance.
• Oversees the operations of OSP including processing, preparation and pre-award administration of grant and contract proposals, negotiation of contracts, negotiation and acceptance of grant and contract awards, issuance and negotiation of subawards and consultant agreements, and non-financial post-award prior approval and reporting with external sponsors. 
• Responsible for human resources activities for the Office of Sponsored Programs. This includes hiring, evaluation, termination and promotion; and ensuring onboarding and training resources for staff.  Provides guidance and expertise in areas including proposal and budget development, reporting, sponsor policy, transfers, contract negotiation, subaward issuance and non-financial post-award processes.
• Engages team members to establish and implement processes within OSP and across partner teams.  Ensures training in place for new team members and as relevant for partner teams.
• Serves as Authorized Institutional Official (AIO) for grants and contracts proposed by and made to the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, and has authority to allow team members with documented experience to serve as delegate AIO. Reviews grant and contract applications, necessary assurances and certifications, and award documentation for signature on behalf of Lurie Children's.
• Provides information on funding priorities, trends, sources, and regulations to physician/scientists, staff, and administration.  Works with these groups to seek, obtain, and administer external funds through grants, contracts, and related means.
• In collaboration with the Directors of Research Business Operations and Research Business Management, coordinates the post-award management of grants and contracts.  Facilitates interactions between team members to ensure the efficient and effective management of grants and contract funding.
• Advise researchers concerning the management of grants and contracts. In conjunction with the COO, Manne Research Institute, develops and implements policies and procedures for the administration of research.
• Develops and maintains effective reporting systems to monitor and report on external funding of research conducted at Lurie Children's and Manne Research Institute.
• Serves as liaison between the Lurie Children’s/Manne Research Institute and external funding agencies and professional research organizations.
• Serves as liaison between Lurie Children’s/Manne Research Institute and Northwestern University's Office for Sponsored Research as well as the appropriate offices at other colleges, universities, not-for-profit organizations and hospitals.
• Coordinates reporting for sponsor-related invention reporting, in conjunction with COO and appropriate Lurie Children’s/Manne Research Institute and Northwestern University staff. Ensures researchers are referred to appropriate party for questions related to technology transfer and interpreting intellectual property issues.
• Ensures accuracy of proposal, award, and industry contract data for purposes of developing reports.  Prepares and delivers reports on funding trends, history, and anticipated funding for staff presentations, Manne Research Institute Leadership and Manne Research Institute Board.
• Manages budget of the Office of Sponsored Programs, advising COO and financial staff on variance and needs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. A level of knowledge normally acquired through the completion of a Master’s Degree. Certified Research Administrator (CRA) preferred.

2. Eight or more years of progressive and related administrative experience, preferably in a medical or research setting.

3. Demonstrated ability to recruit, lead, and retain a diverse professional and support staff.

4. Experience with electronic research administration systems implementation and management.

5. Interpersonal skills necessary to interact effectively with physicians, Principal Investigators, and medical center personnel, and external funding agencies, and to maintain a variety of internal and external contacts.

6. Strong written and verbal communication skills.

7. Ability to establish priorities and react promptly to a large variety of requests and needs.  Ability to work effectively under pressures of various deadlines.

8. Demonstrated ability to plan, lead and manage major, high-impact research and medical research contract and grant negotiations.

9. Strong analytical, critical thinking, project management and decision-making skills.

10. Ability to apply judgment and make decisions affecting function or procedures in all aspects of the position.

11. Ability to resolve complex problems and issues.

Age-Specific Competency Requirement:  

 All Ages         Neonatal           Pediatric           Adolescent           Adult            N/A    

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the ages served on the assigned unit/department, as indicated in the competency skills checklist (i.e., Neonatal, Pediatric, Adolescent, Adult).

General Understanding and Nature of the Position Description:

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job classification.  These statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills of personnel so classified.