About the Opportunity
Job Summary
Northeastern University’s Research Enterprise Services (NU-RES) provides leadership and expertise to faculty, investigators and college administrators in support of research and sponsored programs at Northeastern University. NU -- a dynamic, innovative, and entrepreneurial university with a diverse and growing research portfolio -- seeks to hire talented, experienced administrators who are dedicated to supporting investigators secure and manage their extramurally sponsored activities. The University is committed to hiring and developing personnel who enjoy working in a high-performing culture that rewards excellence.
To learn more about Northeastern’s unique academic environment and generous benefits please see: http://www.northeastern.edu/hrm/. Northeastern is a global university and NU-RES supports its team working remotely. Remote locations and work schedules are determined based on operational needs and in consultation with Team members, consistent with University policies and guidance.
Reporting to the Executive Director, Research Administration & Global Research Operations, the Senior Associate Director (Sr. AD) oversees and manages the workflow of the contracts team in NU-RES, which functions as the primary, central administrative point of contact for the intake and review of various types of externally sponsored research and sponsored programs related agreements with a variety of external partners (Industry, Federal/ Government, Non-Profit), as well as the issuance of outgoing subawards under all funded externally sponsored awards to NU and its wholly owned subsidiary, KRI at Northeastern University, LLC. The Sr. AD provides guidance to investigators and college administrators on matters related to research and sponsored program agreements, including regulatory compliance of procurement contracts and other agreements. The Sr. AD provides comprehensive management and oversight of the contracts portfolio, supervise and manage teams, build constructive, effective relationships with faculty, administrators, external collaborators and funding agency officers and, analyze and interpret policies and regulations related to research and sponsored programs, analyze and prepare operational and strategic reports, and lead process improvement and new initiatives. Provides mentorship and coaching to NU-RES team members. The Sr. AD acts on behalf of the Executive Director in his/her absence. The Sr. AD must be independent, be able to think critically and have strong interpersonal, collaborative, and project management skills. A sense of humor, high tolerance for ambiguity and preference for working in a deadline-driven environment preferred.
Advise and assist researchers and administrative staff on the incoming contract / outgoing subaward processes including providing guidance on federal regulations, agency requirements, and internal policies and procedures; review of contracts with a wide range of federal, state, local government agencies, and private foundation sponsors to ensure conformance to funding agency and University requirements prior to signature/release by authorized organizational representative to ensure that contracts are processed accurately and in a timely manner. Conduct institutional review of contracts processed by the contracts team, providing critical analysis of terms and conditions; conduct negotiation of awards on behalf of the University; monitoring for regulatory compliance with the funding agency’s terms and conditions of award from acceptance through closeout. Assess, monitor and coordinate team work/caseloads (contract review, negotiation, issuance of outgoing subawards); monitor key performance indicators, identify issues, trouble shoot and develop process improvements/solutions; foster a collegial, high-functioning, productive work environment; initiate and/or lead continuous process improvement initiatives and update of existing standard operating procedures, as needed; develop and refine data capture and analytics in conjunction with the NU-RES analytics team; develop and conduct ongoing training for NU research and sponsored program administration community; provide cross-functional training for NU-RES staff. Serves as expert resource and advises faculty and administrators in the interpretation of funding agency regulations and requirements, internal policies and procedures; monitoring for regulatory compliance with the funding agency’s terms and conditions and University policies and practices from acceptance through closeout. Independent identification of legal, financial, regulatory and business risk in procurement contracts and other agreements, and communicate these exposures effectively and efficiently to University stakeholders. Coordinate the Office of General Counsel, Office of Research Compliance, IT, Risk Services, OHSRP, and EHS as needed for the resolution of contract issues. Must have experience reviewing applicable federal statutes and regulations including a strong understanding of laws and regulations related to sponsored activities (e.g., FCOI, IRB/IACUC/IBC, Data/Privacy, Export Controls, etc.) Must be detailed oriented with a high degree of integrity, and have solid judgment and capacity to exercise discretion to resolve ambiguity and promote effective solutions.
Minimum Qualifications
Ability to coach a diverse team, excellent written and verbal communication skills required. Demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, time sensitive environment preferred. Must have solid judgment and capacity to exercise discretion to resolve ambiguity and promote effective solutions. Must have a strong commitment to constructively contribute to a customer service environment, providing professional, timely, efficient, and courteous service to the university research community.
Demonstrated knowledge of sponsored research issues including policies (e.g., intellectual property rights, publications, subrecipient monitoring, and academic freedom) and best practices, preferably in an academic or military setting. Working knowledge of contracting concepts, including as related to Federal procurement contracts, FAR parts 12 and 13, DFARs as well as a familiarity with firm fixed price, cost-reimbursement, and IDIQ contracts and issues that may arise with these contract vehicles is a plus. The Sr. AD will offer effective analytical and creative problem solving skills and the ability to manage a high volume of work in a fast-paced, deadline driven work environment. Assist in identification, development and implementation of contract policies and processes, including contribute to the on-going improvement of RA processes and systems and outreach, education and training initiatives
Master’s degree or equivalent experience and a minimum of 8-10 years relevant experience in the field of research administration in an academic or non-profit setting is required.
Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities
Contract & Staff Management 70%
Comprehensive management and oversight of incoming/outgoing contracts workflow, subaward issuance/monitoring, supervise and manage teams, build constructive, effective relationships with faculty, administrators, external collaborators and funding agency officers, analyze and interpret policies and regulations related to research and sponsored programs, analyze and prepare operational and strategic reports, and lead process improvement and new initiatives. Advise and assist contracts team members, researchers and administrative staff on the contracting processes including providing guidance on federal regulations, agency requirements, and internal policies and procedures; review of contracts with a wide range of federal, state, local government agencies, and private foundation sponsors to ensure conformance to funding agency and University requirements. Conduct institutional review of contracts, providing critical analysis of terms and conditions of federal and non-federal sponsored awards; conduct negotiation of awards on behalf of the University; monitoring for regulatory compliance with the funding agency’s terms and conditions of award from acceptance through closeout. Serves as expert resource and advises faculty and administrators in the interpretation of funding agency regulations and requirements, internal policies and procedures; monitoring for regulatory compliance with the funding agency’s terms and conditions and University policies and practices from acceptance through closeout. Independent identification of legal, financial, regulatory and business risk in procurement contracts and other agreements, and communicate these exposures effectively and efficiently to University stakeholders. Coordinate the Office of General Counsel, Office of Research Compliance, IT, Risk Services, OHSRP, and EHS as needed for the resolution of contract issues. Must have experience reviewing applicable federal statutes and regulations including a strong understanding of laws and regulations related to sponsored activities (e.g., FCOI, IRB/IACUC/IBC, Data/Privacy, Export Controls, etc.) Must be detailed oriented with a high degree of integrity, and have solid judgment and capacity to exercise discretion to resolve ambiguity and promote effective solutions.
Caseload Management 20%
Assess, monitor and coordinate team work/caseloads (incoming/outgoing contract review, subaward issuance/monitoring, acceptance and processing); monitor key performance indicators, identify problems, trouble shoot and develop process improvements/solutions; foster a collegial, high-functioning, productive work environment; initiate an/or lead continuous process improvement initiatives and update of existing standard operating procedures, as needed; develop and refine data capture and analytics in conjunction with the NU-RES analytics team; develop and conduct ongoing training for research and sponsored program administration to the NU research community; provide cross-functional training for NU-RES staff.
Professional Development – Research Administration 10%
Continue to develop expert knowledge of research administration; engage in University-wide professional development activities, i.e. training, workshops, and developing resources useful for customers. Participate in special projects assigned by NU-RES.
Position Type
Research
Additional Information
Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.
Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.
Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
To learn more about Northeastern University’s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity.
