Assistant Director, Administration/Contracting

Overview

The Division of Sponsored Programs at the University of Florida seeks an experienced research administrator to serve as Assistant Director of Research Contracting and provide oversight and direction for Sponsored Programs administrators and campus research administrators.Highly qualified candidates will possess experience and expertise in university research contracting, management experience, political savvy, a keen understanding of federal and state influences, and in-depth knowledge of the business of research. The assistant director reports to the Assistant Vice President and Director for Sponsored Programs, and works with senior leadership to evaluate, improve and apply sponsored program policies and operations.

Job Description:

Lead Sponsored Programs Contracting teams

• Serve as a resource and mentor to sponsored programs staff in execution of their duties, specifically providing guidance on terms and conditions being negotiated in agreements

• Oversee the core office operations for contracting to ensure consistency in execution of service levels and quality.

• Facilitate the maturation of all sponsored programs contracting resources

• Leverage and build new tools to facilitate workload management and distribution to ensure provision of acceptable service to leadership, faculty and staff engaging in sponsored programs

Serve as Institutional Power of Attorney

• Review and execute agreements and contracts that legally bind the University, under a Limited Power of Attorney arrangement granted by the President of the University. Perform these duties in a highly professional way that enhances the effectiveness of the Division in providing services to the faculty, facilitating interactions with University administration and colleges and represents the institution in a positive manner in the external business environment

Sponsored Programs Documentation

• Evaluate policy, regulatory and system changes in sponsored programs for their impact to the University of Florida sponsored programs enterprise

• Develop policy & process documentation for DSP business processes to be referred to by DSP staff

• Develop policy & process documentation for campus Research Administrators

• Ensure the DSP website has the most current and relevant information.  Communicate changes to policies, procedures, systems, tools and reports to facilitate efficient and effective operations within DSP

Sponsored Programs Training

• Facilitate on-board training of new DSP staff

• Develop and facilitate sponsored programs training initiatives inclusive of the RAFT programs, UFIRST training, and ad hoc trainings for campus units.  This includes identification of training needs, creation of training programs with the support of DSP or campus subject matter experts, delivery of training programs through the most appropriate media, continuous evaluation of all training programs to ensure the programs are maintained

Other Duties

• Network with federal and industry agency contacts, UF stakeholders, supporting offices, deans, departmental contacts and other university administrators

• Review and approve proposals for submission to extramural funding sources under a Limited Power of Attorney arrangement granted by the President of the University. Perform these duties in a highly professional way that enhances the effectiveness of the Division in providing services to the faculty, facilitating interactions with University administration and colleges and represents the institution in a positive manner in the external business environment.

• In the absence of the Assistant Vice President and Vice President, conduct the Division’s business.  On the Assistant Vice President and/or Vice President’s return, report any discussions and basis for decisions reached which may affect the Division.

• Additional duties as assigned

University Contracting Coordination

Engage other offices at the University responsible for supporting contracting (Subawards, Contracts and Grants, Clinical Research, General Counsel, UF Innovate) in the coordination, standardization, review and compliance of all University contracts.

Minimum Qualifications:

Master’s degree in an appropriate area and two years of relevant experience; or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area and four years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Seven years’ experience in research administration, including at least four years in university research contracting, especially at a large public university

•Management experience, especially leading a professional team in a complex organization

• Extensive knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations as well as agency policies, including NIH, NSF, and USDA

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with campus stakeholders, external agencies, colleagues, and others

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Demonstrated commitment to continuous quality improvement 

• Ability to navigate difficult situations with grace and function effectively in stressful circumstances

The University of Florida is an equal opportunity institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352/392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800/955-8771 (TDD). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law.

Link to apply: https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/516223/assistant-director-administrationcontracting