Director of Post-Award Management

Hiring Department: Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, Office of Sponsored Programs

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Requisition ID:1021726

Posting Close Date: 11/9/2023

About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. 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). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has nearly 260,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

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.
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.

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.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

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