Director, Office of Sponsored Programs and Research

Overview

For more than 111 years, Bowling Green State University (BGSU) has been a public university for the public good, always moving Forward. Today, BGSU is a high-research, nationally ranked, comprehensive University.  As a public university for the public good, the Division of Research supports the scientific, scholarly, and creative research activities of the faculty, staff, and students to support the vitality of our communities.  Under Forward, the shared strategic plan to create public good, BGSU is committed to continue to enhance the support and infrastructure needed to achieve increases in funding and resources from grants, contracts, and philanthropy.  The Office of Sponsored Programs and Research (OSPR) supports faculty, staff, and students in the search for external support for their research, scholarship, and creative activities.  BGSU is currently seeking applicants for the Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research who can provide university-wide leadership in research administration.  The Director oversees both pre-award and (non-accounting) post-award activities that support successful completion of faculty externally sponsored programs and is responsible for all daily office operations

Reporting directly to the Vice President for Research, the Director will strategically lead operations within the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research and will collaborate with leadership to enhance operational efficiency through the implementation of continuous improvement initiatives. In collaboration with leadership and key research stakeholders, the Director will review, create, redesign, and implement effective processes and procedures that drive operational excellence, including stakeholder engagement, process improvement, and change management initiatives.

Essential Duties, Tasks and Responsibilities

• Directs the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research (OSPR) in both pre- and post-award (non-accounting) activities, with responsibility for ensuring compliance of external and internal awards with sponsor and university policies.  Provides guidance to faculty and staff in the development of grant and contract proposals.
  
  Leads OSPR staff and provides training and professional development opportunities to ensure comprehension of the research administration "Body of Knowledge."

• Oversees post-award business procedures in coordination with the Manager of Grants Accounting to ensure compliance with sponsor and university policies and regulations. Oversees the preparation of grant subcontracts and modifications, requests to the funding agency to alter grant agreements and re-budgeting of funds, and internship agreements to ensure appropriateness and consistency with university policy.  Meets regularly with the Manager of Grants Accounting to develop, articulate and facilitate the roles and responsibilities of the two offices with the goal of providing a more transparent and seamless grants administration environment for faculty, staff and the institution.

• Advises the Vice President for Research and makes recommendations on the creation or revision of university policies that meet federal mandates for institutions conducting research. Monitors federal policy as it impacts the research enterprise and provides guidance and information to university administration.  Develops and implements university policies and procedures that assure the timely submission of proposals and awarding of grants and contracts. Collaborates with the Vice President for Research in determining mechanisms for increasing the number and quality of proposals.

• Serves as the authorized organizational representative for sponsored program-related endeavors. Provides administrative approval on State grant expenditure reports. As designated by the Vice President for Research, has authority to approve outgoing proposals and incoming awards/contracts/other official documents, as appropriate, obligating the institution.

• Directs the OSPR staff and coordinates with other units in the presentation of workshops, seminars, classes and informational materials on grant writing, budget preparation, electronic submissions, the PeopleSoft Grants Module, and other topics based upon determined need. Provides proposal development assistance to individual researchers as well as interdisciplinary collaborative teams. Provides education related to pre-award and post-award administration, including proposal submission, award acceptance, and project management.  Provides oversight and final review/approval of educational materials.

• Provides oversight of the Faculty Research Committee (FRC). Creates new funding opportunities as needed to focus investments and enhance university initiatives in research.  Advises the committee on appropriate use of funds and sets the guidelines for allowable costs. Serves as an Ex officio member. Reviews and approves expenditures on FRC grants as appropriate.

• Determines the university’s needs for ERA support in grants administration and works with ITS to identify and implement solutions. Primary POC for the continued development and maintenance of the grants management module within the university’s PeopleSoft Enterprise Resource Project. Is responsible for the oversight of testing and analysis of the module and related functions throughout the year and specifically during upgrades. Serves on various committees established to maintain clear communications among all units using the ERP.

• Directs the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual reports offering analysis of the research enterprise over time and special reports as requested.

Knowledge, Skills or Abilities

• Knowledge of the retrieval/dissemination of information related to funding opportunities.
• Specific knowledge of the principles of research administration and the intricacies of the university research environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills specifically as they relate to understanding the research and sponsored program needs of faculty members.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of federal and state compliance regulations; substantial experience with budgeting and accounting procedures; ability to train other support staff; and ability to set priorities and work comfortably in fast-paced, deadline driven environment.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required.  Degree must be conferred at the time of application.

The following experience is required:

• 5 years research administration background in university or funding agency setting
• 3 years proposal and budget development with various funding agencies
• 2 years Budget management experience
• 2 years supervisory experience
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) preferred.

Salary

Full-time, Administrative staff position available. Administrative Pay Grade 360. Salary is commensurate with education and experience. Full benefits package available.

Deadline to apply:  The search committee will review applications until the position is filled; however, for best consideration, applications should be provided by January 18, 2022.

Why work at BGSU?

Full-time BGSU employees enjoy an array of exceptional benefits, including:

• Quality, affordable health insurance: Various coverage options available for health, vision and dental starting the first day of the month following your date of employment.
• Generous paid time off: Vacation, holidays, sick days and more.
• Excellent work life balance resources: Our Employee Assistance Program offers confidential support to employees and their eligible family members, along with ancillary programs covering identity theft, elder care, legal services and more.
• Tuition fee waivers: For eligible employees, spouses and dependent children.
• Professional development opportunities: For skills training, supervisor and leadership programs, performance management, online courses and online tools for employee growth and development.
• Parental leave: Up to five weeks of paid parental leave for full-time employees with at least 12 months of continuous service.
• Retirement: BGSU offers several options for meeting your retirement goals with a current employer contribution of up to 14% depending on the retirement program selected. Read More about the option that best fits your needs.

Learn more about Bowling Green State University and how we aspire to be the preeminent public university that creates public good in Ohio, the nation and world.

To Apply

For a complete job description & to apply for this position visit https://bgsu.hiretouch.com/ or contact the Office of Human Resources at (419) 372-8421. BGSU. AA/EEO/Disabilities/Veterans. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Bowling Green State University, please call 419-372-8421.