Director, Post-Award Management

Overview

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Located in one of the world’s greatest cities, the University of Illinois Chicago is Chicago’s largest university and only public research institution. Its 16 academic colleges serve nearly 34,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. UIC is recognized as one of the most ethnically rich and culturally diverse campuses in the nation, a leader in providing access to underrepresented students. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation, and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI), and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).

The Director of Post-Award Management in Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) within the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR) is a senior leadership role responsible for directing post-award administration and strategic initiatives related to funded projects and grants. The incumbent will play a crucial role in ensuring compliance, effective financial management and strategic utilization of research funds in alignment with UIC goals and objectives. This role assures that all expenditures adhere to federal, state, University and sponsor requirements.

This is a full-time and benefits eligible position.  Hybrid work schedules are available. UIC offers competitive salaries commensurate with experience.  In addition all full time benefits eligible positions include a comprehensive benefits package which include; Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability & AD&D insurance, a defined benefit pension plan as well as paid leave which includes; Vacation, Holiday and Sick.  In addition we offer tuition waivers for employees and dependents. 

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight and direction for the post-award administration of sponsored projects, ensuring compliance with institutional and sponsor guidelines. Oversee a team to monitor financial performance of sponsored projects, ensuring proper allocation of funds, cost compliance and adherence to budgetary guidelines. Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.

• Develop and implement sponsored project policies. Identify problem areas through internal and external audits and through external evaluations and requests of constituencies.

• Function as a resident expert on federal regulations and compliance matters, staying informed about policy changes of major sponsoring agencies. Analyze the impact of federal regulatory changes on the University and direct the implementation of new regulatory requirements.

• Maintains compliance with all policies and regulations regarding sponsored award activity, accounting and individual and federal restrictions on expenditures. Advise, assist and train faculty and staff to ensure compliance. Provide direction to the post-award compliance team on matters related to audits, site-visits, desk-reviews, effort reporting, or subrecipient monitoring.

• Work with Executive Director and Pre-Award team to assess current work flows and to facilitate collaboration between the pre-award and post-award teams.

• Build relationships with departments and provide advice and authoritative information on research administration matters.

• Use data and metrics to analyze productivity, compliance and expenditure trends. Prepare and present comprehensive data on post-award activities to senior leadership using various expenditure driven metrics and reports, such as periodic expenditure reports, annual Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) survey, and cost sharing. Provide acumen in research and fiscal data management.

• Assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the current research administration processes performed by the office and the effective utilization of information technology for management of office functions. Identify necessary changes, additions and/or enhancements. Serve as a subject matter expert in the development, implementation or upgrade of new systems or tools.

• Oversee the cash management and accounts receivable function of the Office of Sponsored Programs–Post-Award, timely and accurate invoicing, receipt and application of funds.

• Serve as a resource during the annual Single Audit and effort reporting processes.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field required. Master’s degree in business administration or a related field preferred.

• Ten (10) years of demonstrated work experience in sponsored program administration. Demonstrated experience in financial and research data, management, compliance, and supervision of staff.

• Experience in an academic research environment highly preferred.

• Exceptional leadership and team management skills, with a proven ability to motivate and develop a high-performing team.

• Thorough understanding of federal research policies, practices and trends. Dynamic, collegial, consensus-building leadership style.

• Knowledge of the SCT and Banner products strongly preferred.

• Proven skills in organizing and managing an organization governed by complex regulations, remaining customer service-oriented and able to foster an effective research administration support environment.

• Advanced communication skills and ability to work in an integrated environment. Strong mentoring skills and commitment to the career and professional development and promotion of staff.

• Strong understanding of federal regulations, policies and guidelines related to sponsored projects (e.g., Uniform Guidance, FAR, etc.)

• Strategic thinker committed to continuous improvement and process reengineering.

• Certification as a Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA) preferred.

APPLICATION: To ensure fullest consideration, application materials must be received by March 5, 2024. Start date is as soon as possible after the close of the search. Salary is commensurate with experience and education. All candidates must create a candidate profile through http://jobs.uic.edu and upload a cover letter, resume and contact information for three references by the close date.

Interested candidates must apply directly on the UIC job board at:

https://uic.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/7285?c=uic

As an EOE/AA employer, the University of Illinois encourages applications from individuals regardless of an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, and Veteran or disability status.

Offers of employment by the University of Illinois may be subject to approval by the University’s Board of Trustees and are made contingent upon the candidate’s successful completion of any criminal background checks and other pre-employment assessments that may be required for the position being offered. Additional information regarding such pre-employment checks and assessments may be provided as applicable during the hiring process.

The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit: https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/cms/One.aspx?portalId=4292&pageId=141189