Assistant Director, Research Administration

Overview

The George Mason University, College of Science, invites applications for an Assistant Director of Research Administration position.George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment.

About the Position:

Research Administration in the College of Science (COS) is responsible for establishing and nurturing a dynamic environment that will maximize external funding for research, scholarly, and creative pursuits while ensuring that the university’s financial, contractual, and regulatory exposures are minimized. COS provides guidance and support to the college’s researcher and their research efforts, creates an administrative environment that fosters the creative process, and ensures continuation of the college’s research financial and contractual obligations.

The Assistant Director, Research Administration leads a team providing pre-award support for COS sponsored project activities. The Assistant Director serves as the primary point of contact for the team related to proposal and award management and questions from COS departments and units. The incumbent serves as the primary point of contact for the team related to proposal and award management and responds to questions from college units. The incumbent facilitates and coordinates the submission of proposal applications for externally sponsored funding on behalf of the faculty in the assigned units within the College of Science. This requires coordination with COS Principal Investigators, various internal/external stakeholders, additional campus units, and the Office of Sponsored Programs. The incumbent develops and/or provides guidance on project budgets, proposal guidelines and forms, appropriate internal review procedures and compliance with applicable sponsor, university, state, and federal requirements.

About the College:

The College of Science is committed to providing scientific insight into the challenges of a rapidly evolving world by fostering cutting-edge research and delivering a world-class education. The College blends excellence in science education and cutting-edge research in diverse programs such as molecular medicine, climate dynamics, planetary science, forensic science, environmental studies, and geoinformation science.

Mason Science is committed to advancing access, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (A-JEDI) throughout our STEM community, including within our hiring and retention practices. At Mason Science, our values include fostering an organizational culture that promotes anti-racism, belonging, respect, and civility. We believe that a diversity of opinions, cultures, and perspectives is what provides vibrancy, innovation, and growth to an academic community. By prioritizing inclusive excellence in academics, teaching, research, and global engagement, we strive to attract a diverse pool of faculty and staff who exemplify the Mason Science mission and vision.

Responsibilities:

• Manages a team responsible for pre-award functions related to externally sponsored funding to include reviewing and approving work;
• Assigns work to team members and tracks workload to ensure performance expectations are maintained. Provides direction, mentoring, training, and professional development to staff;
• Meets regularly with team members to provide guidance and support as needed;
• Ensures compliance with external sponsor requirements, as well as ensuring compliance with University, State, and Federal regulations on all pre-award activities. The Assistant Director will keep CBO informed of team activities;
• Serves as a resource for team members and research questions as they arise. All relevant updates are communicated to the team. The Assistant Director will take an active role in the training and mentoring of new team members;
• Works with team members to ensure all pre-award actions are completed on time and in compliance with all Federal, State, and sponsor guidelines;
• Serves as the main point of contact and takes the lead on large, collaborative, multi-disciplinary proposals and awards by leading meetings and developing a timeline for proposal submissions;
• Works closely with team members to ensure stated deadlines are being met. As needed, the Assistant Director should work with the supervisor to determine when it would be necessary to alert the Dean or departmental chairs of potential issues;
• Maintains and supports the pre-award activities of a select portfolio of academic units. Duties include budget and proposal development, submission of a final proposal, re-budgets, no-cost extensions, setting up new awards and modifications, and other pre-award actions; and
• Responds promptly to questions and requests from university administrators or faculty regarding proposals, and pending or awarded projects. Communicates in a timely manner to the supervisor of any potential problems and works to determine a resolution;

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Accounting, or related field of study, or equivalent education and experience;
• Some (generally 3 years) sponsored program experience;
• Demonstrated knowledge of Federal and State rules and regulations concerning grants and contracts;
• Ability to interpret and apply State and Federal rules and regulations;
• University and/or sponsored program experience;
• Highly developed time-management, problem resolution, and organizational skills;
• Clear and effective communication skills (verbal and non-verbal), strong analytical skills, and high attention to detail; process improvement, problem-solving, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, internet skills, and diplomacy;
• Effectively manage multiple priorities; work calmly under pressure with a sustained level of accuracy and productivity;
• Demonstrated leadership, teamwork, and initiative;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers and faculty, and must be able to work autonomously, as well as collaboratively in a group or structured setting;
• Must be experienced and comfortable reviewing proposal and award guidelines, interpreting federal, state, university, and sponsor-specific guidelines, policies and procedures, and working with multiple PIs;
• Must possess effective time management skills and be a quick learner of a variety of electronic systems used in this position; and
• A focus on customer service, effective time management, teamwork, professionalism, accuracy and attention to detail is essential.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Research Administrator (CRA); and
• Supervisory or team management experience desired.

Candidates must be:

• A citizen of the United States;
• A person who is a lawful permanent resident of the United States (a “Green Card” holder);
• A person who is a “protected individual” as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a) (3); or
• A person who is otherwise able to become generally eligible to receive unclassified technical data pursuant to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

For full consideration, applicants must apply at https://jobs.gmu.edu/; complete and submit the online application; and upload a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information.