Under the general direction of the Assistant Vice President for Sponsored Programs Administration, the Director is responsible for the design and implementation of a cohesive and flexible pre-award team that supports faculty and research staff in successfully pursuing externally funded research and scholarly activity. The Director must have excellent interpersonal and team building skills to promote a productive working relationship between Sponsored Programs Administration staff and the research community. This position also requires an individual who has vision and creativity and the ability to encourage people to be innovative problem solvers while still maintaining a highly compliant environment.

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for the leadership, direction, training, and mentorship of a diverse team of staff involved in the review, approval, and submission of proposals; negotiation and acceptance of grant and contract awards; issuance and negotiation of subawards, and non-financial post-award prior approval and reporting with external sponsors.
• Sets strategic goals for the Unit and leads efforts to achieve those goals. Establishes and evaluates team management structure and ensures clarity of team roles and responsibilities, adequate staff training and development, staff FTE levels, and workload distribution.
• Sets and tracks performance and productivity metrics for pre-award. Engages in process improvement activities to meet goals of efficiency and enhanced customer service.
• Responsible for human resources activities for the unit. This includes hiring, evaluation, termination, promotion, and ensuring onboarding and training resources for staff. Provides guidance and expertise in areas including proposal and budget development, acceptance of awards, sponsor policy, institutional transfers, contract negotiation, subaward issuance and non-financial post-award processes.
• In collaboration with other units of the Division develops and promotes educational activities through the presentation of workshops, meetings, and electronic resources to assist the campus community in successfully receiving outside funding sources for their research, educational and other sponsored activities.
• Creates and fosters an environment of support for the University research community through relationships with Deans, Associate Deans for Research, and research faculty by extending and supporting their research endeavors to secure funding.
• Serves as liaison with a variety of agencies and professional groups to keep abreast of current developments and to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
• Provides other support to the Assistant VP for Sponsored Programs Administration and Division as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors from a college or university accredited by the US Department of Education or an internationally recognized accrediting organization.
• Seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, including Five or more years of leadership and supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated experience of federal and other sponsor regulations governing grant and contract administration, including 2 CFR 200 Uniform Guidance and Federal Acquisition Regulations.
• Experience reviewing common contractual terms and issues related to contracting in research administration, non-profit and/or higher education environments.
• General knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies relating to the protection of human subjects, animal welfare, intellectual property, conflict of interest, export controls, data security and other compliance related activities.
• Knowledge and understanding of primary granting agency programs/processes and award terms and conditions pertinent to grant-funded research.
• Highly service-oriented, team-oriented, and goal oriented, with great flexibility to identify priorities, manage and respond to competing deadlines and priorities.
• Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to communicate effectively to all levels in the organization.
• Excellent collaborative skills, along with the willingness and ability to interact effectively with a diverse constituency.
• Comfort with or adaptability to utilize a variety of information systems, as well as strong Microsoft Office skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience working in a university setting.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Pre-award Research Administrator (CPRA), or Certified Financial research Administrator (CFRA) certification.
• Master's in Research Administration from a college or university accredited by the US Department of Education or an internationally recognized accrediting organization.

Salary Range: $120,000 - $135,000

Subject to change, this position may be eligible for up to 60% alternative workplace arrangement after a probationary period.

Federal law and regulations require notice to all prospective employees regarding crimes that have occurred on campus in the current three year period. Please refer to the following website for the complete Annual Security Report ("Clery Report"): http://police.albany.edu/asr.htm

As an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer, The Research Foundation for SUNY will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, physical and mental disability, criminal record, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, status with respect to receiving public assistance, domestic violence victim status, a disabled, special, recently separated, active duty wartime, campaign badge, Armed Forces service medal veteran, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

The Research Foundation for The State University of New York offers exceptional benefits such as healthcare, dental, vision, pension plans, competitive pay, generous paid time off, tuition assistance, life insurance and long-term disability insurance. The University at Albany offers a variety of performing arts, world class libraries, and competitive sporting events.