Director Sponsored Programs - Contracts

Overview

Unleash YOUR Potential With Us

As a next-generation public research institute and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are an inclusive community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to shape the future and solve the world’s most challenging problems. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role in pushing us forward to become among the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with uniquely talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses and regional locations. That means greater challenges to tackle, more meaningful opportunities to grow, and rewarding experiences that go beyond a paycheck. We’re seeking qualified, motivated individuals who will help UCF fulfill its mission in unleashing the potential of every individual, enriching the human experience through inclusion, discovery, and innovation; and propelling broad-based prosperity for the many communities we serve.

The Opportunity:

The Director, Sponsored Programs- Contracts is responsible for the management, oversight, and implementation of administrative procedures for research contracts and related agreements under the direction of the Assistant Vice President of Research Administration/Chief Operating Officer of the Research Foundation. This position provides leadership, support, and guidance for all contracts, agreements, and sub-awards for both UCF Office of Research and the UCF Research Foundation, Inc. This position is responsible for developing, implementing, and keeping policies and procedures current and in compliance with all relevant university, federal, and state regulations. This position ensures excellent customer service to faculty, staff, and external agencies and offices, and provides leadership to staff and acts as a resource to the campus research community.

Responsibilities:

• Provide effective leadership, direction, supervision, training, and mentorship to research and sub-award contracts personnel in support of the Vice President and Assistant Vice President of Research/Chief Operating Officer of the Research Foundation, and the missions of the office and university.

• Recruit, oversee, and maintain the appropriate staffing infrastructure; provide exceptional support and services, ensure conformance with sponsored research administration & compliance, as well as the regulations and directives issued by UCF.

• Knowledgeable of federal and other sponsor regulations governing contract, grant, and subaward administration, including 2 CFR 200, the Federal Acquisition Regulations, state law, and university policies and procedures. General knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies relating to the protection of human subjects, animal welfare, intellectual property, conflict of interest, privacy and data security, export control, and facilities security.

• Oversee large complex agreements, master research agreements, and industry contracts.

• Knowledgeable of the necessary operational requirements needed for the efficient and effective development, review and execution of sponsored contracts and related agreements, to include sub-award agreements, including systems and personnel requirements.

• Support the development of contracts, sub-awards, and related agreements, review and approval of external agreements, negotiations with external parties, and the execution of contracts to support the research and service missions of the University and Research Foundation.

• Promote the review and improvement of the administrative procedures governing research contracts to ensure the highest quality service is provided.

• Participate with senior administration in the development of policies to promote research contracts and sub-awards that support the University and Research Foundation’s objectives.

• Coordinate training, coaching, and mentoring staff to ensure professional growth and development.

• Work closely with faculty, academic leaders, and managers of key business units to resolve issues and develop procedures that foster the smooth functioning of sponsored programs.

• Coordinate with other Office of Research, Research Foundation, College Deans, Associate Deans for Research, and other University personnel to ensure effective communication, cooperation, and collaborations.

• Fiduciary responsibility through signature authority on behalf of the University of Central Florida Board of Trustees and the University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.

• Serve as liaison with a variety of agencies and professional groups to remain current with developments and to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

• Facilitate communication regarding emerging opportunities to the university community.

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's or Master's degree and 8+ years of relevant experience, including 3+ years of leadership experience. Or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree and 10+ years of research administration experience.

• Experience and expertise in a broad range of research administration issues.

• Experience in complex industry contract negotiations.

• Experience in negotiating Intellectual Property terms.

• Experience with clinical trial agreements.

• Experience with sub-awards.

• Strong management and leadership skill to develop, coach, mentor, assess and motivate contracts and grants staff strongly preferred.

• Extensive knowledge of federal and state regulations and regulatory compliance requirements, including export control, data security, etc.

• Experience in a university setting.

• Strong commitment to provide excellent customer service, both internal and external to the university.

• CRA and CFRA preferred.

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

This is a Contract and Grant (C&G) funded position. Employment is subject to availability of funding and may cease at the time funding for this employment is depleted.

Hybrid work schedule or remote work within the state of Florida may be considered based upon specific circumstances and candidate qualifications.

If you are selected as the final candidate for an employment opportunity here at UCF, both your position and salary will be significantly based upon the information that you have provided in your application for employment. We urge you to please take the time to complete the application in its entirety.

Classification Title: Director, Sponsored Programs

Are Benefits Important to You?

Working at UCF has its perks! In addition to helping drive change and having a positive impact by supporting our students, staff, and faculty, UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program

• Paid time off, including annual and sick leave and paid holidays

• Retirement savings options

• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions

• Education assistance

• Flexible work environment

• And more…For more benefits information, go to the UCF Employee Benefits page click here.

Who Are We?

Founded in 1963 to fuel the region’s talent pipeline and support the growing U.S. space program, UCF is built to make a better future for our students and society. It’s one of the reasons U.S. News & World Report ranks UCF among the nation’s top 20 most innovative colleges, while Forbes, Kiplinger, and The Princeton Review rank us a best-value university. UCF is one of 14 universities nationwide designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and a Research 1 university. With 13 colleges, including a fully accredited College of Medicine, UCF offers more than 220-degree programs between its main campus, downtown campus, hospitality campus, academic health sciences campus, and 11 UCF Connect centers located throughout the region. In addition, UCF extends its reach to communities in and beyond Central Florida by offering complete, online programs leading to bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, Ph.D.'s., certificates, and more.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

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Department

Office of Research - Operations

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday; 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Schedule may vary as required.

Type of Appointment

Regular

Expected Salary

$122,980.00 to Negotiable

Job Posting End Date

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Central Florida is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer including Disabled/Vets.  Click on UCF's Equal Opportunity Statement to view the President’s Statement.

The UCF affirmative action plans for qualified individuals with disabilities and protected Veterans are available for inspection in the Office of Institutional Equity, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., upon request.

As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request. 

The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.