Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Administration

University of North Carolina Charlotte

United States, North Carolina, Charlotte

Dec 13, 2024

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Academic Search is assisting the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in this search. Nominators and prospective candidates may arrange a confidential conversation about this exciting opportunity with one of the two senior consultants leading the search: Dr. Cynthia Patterson ( Cynthia.Patterson@academicsearch.org) or Dr. Maria Thompson ( Maria.Thompson@academicsearch.org).

For more information about the institution, position, qualifications, and application process, please download the full position profile from the Academic Search website. For full consideration, applicant materials should be submitted by Friday, January 3, 2025.

When submitting a nomination, please send the nominee's full name, position, institution, and email address to UNC-AVCRA@academicsearch.org.

Position Information

General Information

Position Number	003956
Vacancy Open to	All Candidates
Working Title	Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Administration
Position Designation	EHRA Non-Faculty
Employment Type	Permanent - Full-time
Months per Year	12
Work Schedule	Monday-Friday, 8-5 exempt 40+
Hours per week	40+
FLSA Status	Exempt
Division	Research
Department	Div of Research (Adm)
Work Location	Cameron Hall
Salary Range	$141,693 - $170,000
Primary Purpose of Department	The Division of Research strives to advance knowledge and strengthen the quality, diversity, and growth of research and creative accomplishments at UNC Charlotte by enhancing the environment for scholarly and artistic endeavors, encouraging the highest standards of quality, and fostering innovation to enable discoveries that enrich and improve lives. The Division administers and manages the University's sponsored research activities, performs comprehensive research development, proposal preparation, and post-award functions, including identifying and publicizing funding opportunities, coordinating the proposal review and submission process, interacting with external funding agencies and sponsors on behalf of the university, processing grant and contract award documents, administrating sponsored projects from startup through close out, overseeing research compliance and protections, and preparing and disseminating reports of sponsored program activity.
Primary Purpose of Position	The Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Administration ( AVCRA) reports directly to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and plays a lead role in supporting and accomplishing the University's strategic plan by overseeing and managing the comprehensive research administration functions within the Division of Research. Under the Associate Vice Chancellor's direction, the AVCRA oversees and directs the Office of Research Services ( ORS) and the Office of Sponsored Projects Administration ( OSPA), supervising 4 direct reports who oversee approximately 43 staff members, and responsible for staffing and employee development. ORS and OSPA are responsible for the management of pre- and post-award grant administration; contract negotiation, facilitating faculty and staff participation in extramural grant seeking; fiduciary responsibility to all external funding agencies and in compliance with state and federal guidelines; ensuring appropriate use of extramural funds; and maintenance of the University's reputation and integrity. The AVCRA will provide leadership, strategic and visionary direction for ORS and the OSPA as well as oversee the fiscal and non-fiscal management and administration of externally funded programs, including implementation of policies and organizational management. The AVCRA will lead efforts to provide the highest level of support for the University research community by developing streamlined and transparent processes for research administration; fostering a culture of problem-solving and teamwork; advancing professional development and mentoring opportunities for research support professionals.The AVCRA will work with the ORS and OSPA management teams to develop and fine-tune internal systems and procedures to promote efficiency in workflow, including procedures related to automated processes to minimize duplication and manual processes. Among the key priorities for the new AVCRA will be: Driving continuous improvements in the quality and effectiveness of administrative services provided to the campus. Developing and leading strategic planning initiatives to anticipate and respond to the rapidly changing federal regulatory climate with an increased emphasis on compliance and documentation. Formulating and implementing new processes and policies required by changes in the federal and/or state regulatory environments, and changes in research and sponsored business processes and policies to enhance service; monitor activities with appropriate metrics and evaluation techniques; and continuously assess performance and make improvements. Partnering with other offices in the Division of Research (Center for Research Excellence, Office of Research Protections and Integrity, and Office of Research Commercialization and Partnerships). Maintaining a strong working knowledge of external sponsor regulations and functioning as a liaison at the national level by participating in national and regional forums for policy discussions and dissemination of best practices. Remaining abreast of current federal regulations and pending changes, Federal Acquisition Regulations, Code of Federal Regulations, and Cost Accounting Standards. Directing the preparation of F&A proposals and fringe benefit rate proposals and negotiating with the cognizant federal agency. Facilitating discussions between faculty principal investigators, colleges, departments, and external funding agencies to interpret and communicate policies and procedures or specific agreement terms for institutional implementation. Establishing and maintaining positive, effective relationships with faculty and staff, all units within the Division of Research, sponsor agencies, sponsored program staff at UNC, the UNC System Office, and non-UNC System campuses, as well as with those outside North Carolina and the United States to facilitate the work of research administration at the University.
Summary of Position Responsibilities	Provides leadership and overall operational management of the Division of Research's Office of Research Services and Office of Sponsored Projects Administration. Improves compliance and creates administrative systems that meet external funding requirements. Approves applications for external support. Assures compliance of grant activities with federal, grant agency, and university policies; collaborates closely with the Director of the Center for Research Excellence to grow the University Sponsored programs portfolio and develop faculty skills in grant seeking, writing, and management. Supervises and directs office staff, providing opportunities for training and professional development necessary to conduct the functions of the offices in an effective and efficient manner. * Develops, recommends, and/or implements policies and procedures for the administration of contracts and grants, including the submission of applications, acceptance of awards, monitoring of project activities and expenditures, preparation of financial reports, and compliance with sponsor and university policies. Represents the University to external organizations and agencies and serves as a liaison with these groups. Works with appropriate University groups and individuals in evaluating research and development goals, objectives, and programs. Maintains strong, positive relationships with faculty and staff, college-based research offices, all units within the Division of Research, sponsor agencies, sponsored program staff at the UNC System Office, and non-UNC System campuses as well as with those outside North Carolina and the United States to facilitate the work of research administration at the University. Remains abreast of current trends and policy changes relating to external funding and participates in related national and regional conferences and meetings. Actively participates in selecting university and division committees. Works cooperatively with system level administration, as well as campus Vice Chancellors, Deans, Associate Deans for Research, Department Chairs, Center/Institute/ Office Directors, committees, Internal Audit, and research faculty and staff; maintains open communication with respect to sponsored projects requirements, policies, procedures, and issues. Develop and implement appropriate campus policies, procedures, and practices to ensure compliance with research and sponsor/project financial and administrative management requirements. Maintains open and effective communication and coordination with other offices in the Division of Research, Office of Legal Affairs, Financial Services, and Business Services offices. Appreciates the role of faculty and staff in a university research environment, and utilizes his/her technical knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, and institutional policies and procedures to maximize productivity and success while complying with all applicable regulations. Provides leadership and coordinates efforts with external research regulatory agencies and research sponsors (federal, industry, non-profit). .Promotes good teamwork/coordination among university compliance offices to improve service to researchers while ensuring regulatory and fiscal compliance. Assists the institution in minimizing legal and fiscal compliance risks related to research administration and sponsored project activities by implementing sound business management practices. Ensures follow-up on any audit findings related to research administration and sponsored projects administration. Produces relevant internal reports and coordinates analytics for the research enterprise.
Minimum Education/Experience	Master's degree and at least three years of extensive experience in research and sponsored projects administration in a higher education setting.
Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills and Experience	A minimum of 10 years of progressive experiences across the full life-cycle of grants and contracts research administration (pre- and post-award). Strong leadership, entrepreneurship, and administration skills. Demonstrated research administration excellence through professional activity. Extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of research administration in a university setting and the ability to plan and direct the work of others. Strong inter-and intrapersonal skills, oral and written. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with multiple stakeholders, internally and externally. Ability to quickly gain a thorough knowledge of university budgeting and accounting principles and practices and personnel management practices. Strong familiarity with federal and private research funding and ability to analyze, interpret, and implement policy guidelines and exercise judgment, discretion, and initiative in the development of a wide range of administrative policies and procedures. Demonstrated extensive knowledge of federal regulations relevant to university sponsored programs, and experience negotiating awards and industry contracts. Experience working with large, enterprise-wide financial and reporting systems, including experience in negotiation of F&A and fringe rate proposals with cognizant federal agency. Experience working in a legal and financial compliance/ audit environment at an institutional/enterprise level. Experience in educating, communicating with, and supporting researchers and staff in an academic environment. Experience in leadership, policy development, and oversight role at an institutional level.
Necessary Certifications/Licenses
Preferred Certifications/Licenses	* Certified Research Administrator ( CRA) Certification * National Council of Research Administrators ( NCURA) Membership * Society of Research Administrators International ( SRA) Membership
Special Notes to Applicants	Academic Search is assisting the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in this search. Nominators and prospective candidates may arrange a confidential conversation about this exciting opportunity with one of the two senior consultants leading the search: Dr. Cynthia Patterson ( Cynthia.Patterson@academicsearch.org) or Dr. Maria Thompson ( Maria.Thompson@academicsearch.org). For more information about the institution, position, qualifications, and application process, please download the full position profile from the Academic Search website. For full consideration, applicant materials should be submitted by Friday, January 3, 2025. When submitting a nomination, please send the nominee's full name, position, institution, and email address to UNC-AVCRA@academicsearch.org.
Posting Open Date	11/12/2024
Posting Close Date	01/03/2025
Open Until Filled	No
Proposed Hire Date	03/03/2025
If time-limited please indicate appointment end date
Contact Information	Academic Search is assisting the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in this search. Nominators and prospective candidates may arrange a confidential conversation about this exciting opportunity with one of the two senior consultants leading the search: Dr. Cynthia Patterson ( Cynthia.Patterson@academicsearch.org) or Dr. Maria Thompson ( Maria.Thompson@academicsearch.org). For more information about the institution, position, qualifications, and application process, please download the full position profile from the Academic Search website. For full consideration, applicant materials should be submitted by Friday, January 3, 2025. When submitting a nomination, please send the nominee's full name, position, institution, and email address to UNC-AVCRA@academicsearch.org.

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