What are the responsibilities and job description for the Administrative Coordinator position at Vanderbilt University?
Position Summary:
The Administrative Coordinator is part of the Center for Global Democracy team at Vanderbilt University and is responsible for the managing, coordinating, and tracking of project budgets, pre-award activities, grant proposals, and post-award activities for a research Center that specializes in international survey research. The person in this position is responsible for tracking effort by the research team (with assistance from the Director/HCM), managing complex, multifaceted project budgets and grants; and managing contracting, finances, and disbursements. Reporting directly to CGD’s Director & the Center's Associate Administrative Officer, the person in this role communicates often with individuals in multiple Vanderbilt offices, a network of international affiliates and sub awardees, and with external sponsors on grant-funded projects.
About the Work Unit:
The Center for Global Democracy, or CGD (formerly known as LAPOP) is an active social science research Center at Vanderbilt, located in the College of Arts & Science and
part of the Provost’s Discovery Vanderbilt. The Center’s mission is to produce high quality public opinion data, develop and implement cutting-edge survey methods, build capacity in survey research and analysis, and generate and disseminate policy-relevant research. The Center's activities are supported by numerous grants and implemented via a large network of partners across the Americas. The Center has a staff size of 8-10, and multiple undergraduate student research assistants, and several graduate student research assistants.
About Vanderbilt University:
Vanderbilt is a renowned private institution founded in 1873 and located in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee. The university’s students, faculty, and staff frequently cite Nashville and the surrounding area as one of the many perks of being a part of the Vanderbilt community.
Vanderbilt University is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. It is a place where your diversity is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt was recently named the “best large employer” in Tennessee and a top employer for women by Forbes, ranked #1 in the Princeton Review among 384 top colleges and universities for having the best financial aid in the nation – as well as #3 for “happiest students,” “quality of life” and “beautiful campus,” #4 for both being in a “college city that students love” and for having “great campus/city relations.”
Key Functions and Expected Performance:
Administrative Support & Staff Management
Manage day-to-day operations and priorities of the CGD including developing program budgets in collaboration with the Director
Assist with developing and revising office handbooks
Develop, streamline, and implement systems and processes to establish and maintain records for the program while following VU policies and procedures
Serve as a primary contact and resource to VU staff, and visitors for daily operations of the program
Execute administrative and business-related tasks in direct support of the Director and AAO
Create requisitions, PSAs, contract vendors, and track consultant invoices
Initiate and execute new activities and provide ongoing program support to ensure the needs of the Director and staff are met
Oversee and approve staff PTO
Oversee graduate and undergraduate student (RA) costing related to CGD
Manage unit's monthly and weekly staff effort reporting, in collaboration with the FUM/ HCM. Director will also assist with effort reporting.
Participate in interviews, orientation and on-boarding for new staff
Advise the Director and staff on VU policies and procedures, as well as other issues related to staff and VU communities
Manage general financial aspects of multiple projects
Manage, and forecast complex, multifaceted project budget and grants with assistance from the AAO and CAS Research Finance Team
Work closely with Vanderbilt post-award office, to ensure compliance with sponsor and university rules and regulations
Manage effort reporting on grants and monitor expenditure with assistance from the Director/CAS Research Finance Team
Update quarterly budgets weekly and monthly as needed to accommodate acquiring expenses
Meet regularly with the Center Director to review and make decisions over budget(s)
Communicate regularly with external sponsors to answer questions regarding project budgets and projections
Make One Card purchases for departmental accounts and reconcile monthly expenditures and purchases
Manage contracting for specific project grants, consulting, and subaward agreements
Assist with the preparation of grant proposals: formatting, editing, budgeting, staff effort, timeline, compliance, and risk factors
Communicate directly with sponsors regarding awards, budgets, and contracts
Manage pre-award process in collaboration with CAS Research Finance Team
Process and manage agreements, and relevant invoicing in compliance with Vanderbilt policies and procedures
Assist with the development of consultants and sub awardee scopes of work and budgets
Supervisory Relationships:
This position has supervisory responsibilities, including overseeing research staff PTO, overseeing graduate and undergraduate student research assistant costing related to CGD, and supervising personnel on compliance issues. This position reports functionally and administratively to CGD’s Director and Associate Administrative Officer.
Experience and Education:
BA and experience in program and grants management is necessary.
- Experience with international projects preferred.
- Knowledge of Vanderbilt systems is strongly preferred.