Assoc VP for Research & Proj Admin

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

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ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Office/Staff Management:

• Manages and supervises team of grant/contract and/or unfunded agreements individuals comprised of both exempt professionals and non-exempt support staff. Through daily interactions and scheduled meetings, ensures subordinates receive appropriate training, support and tools to successfully perform assigned duties. Reviews and corrects work and facilitates continual performance management.

Contract Negotiation:

• Review and negotiate agreements for sponsored projects. Includes the ability to analyze and correctly interpret regulatory and contractual requirements and ensure compliance with sponsor requirements, university policies, and applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations associated with sponsored projects and clinical trials. Responsible for pre-award and post-award duties such as reviewing, preparing, negotiating, executing, and managing research agreements, contract amendments, and clinical trial agreements with Federal, commercial, and Non-Profit entities.

Grant and Contract Oversight:

• Manages and facilitates a diverse and complex portfolio of sponsored research activity for the University community, overseeing all pre-award and non-financial post-award matters. Ensures thorough review of funding proposals, grants, contracts (and sub awards for consistency and compliance with sponsor’s and University’s policies and guidelines, while providing adequate consideration of faculty member’s scientific goals.  Serves as signatory on behalf of the University for sponsored projects. Negotiates acceptable terms and conditions in all sponsored projects.

Sponsored Programs Compliance:

• Provides interpretation of federal regulations, sponsor terms and conditions and University policy with regard to sponsored projects for ORPA staff and the University research community. Remains current in new and evolving funding agency compliance requirements

IORA Implementation and Management:

• Serves as the University lead for IORA Grants and Agreement implementation and represents ORPA in discussions with the system vendor. Recommends, develops and implements ORPA and community processes and procedures related to IORA. Leads and organizes the IORA User Group. Works with Deans’ Offices, ORACS, University administrators or other University offices in order to define IORA policies and practices.

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Office Process Improvement and Implementation:

• Reviews, improves and simplifies, when possible, ORPA policies, processes and procedures which have an impact on ORPA staff, department research administrators, and investigators. Recommends, develops and implements ORPA processes and procedures to maximize the University’s ability to respond favorably to agency changes in policies and standards, as well as to internal University changes. Reviews, defines and disseminates policies, procedures or manuals related to Federal regulations, IORA implementation or overall administration of sponsored programs. Works with Deans’ Offices, ORACS, University administrators or other University offices in order to define such policies and practices.

Communication and Outreach:

• Communicates and presents to the University community on federal regulations and University sponsored programs policies and procedures. Develops specialized and/or targeted training as requested. Maintains a close working relationship with University research leadership, administrators, faculty, funding sponsor program and administrative officials, University central offices, and colleagues at other universities. Liaisons with federal, state and local government agencies. Builds and maintains effective communication and partnerships throughout the University.  Represents ORPA in University committee meetings.

National Committee Participation:

• Participates and leads process improvement initiatives and demonstration projects for the Federal Demonstration Partnership. Presents for and participates in professional activities of NCURA, including authoring publications, that serve the University community in our own process improvement initiatives.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• BS degree (or equivalent years of experience) required.
• Master's level education preferred.
• 5-8 years of sponsored programs administration and supervisory experience required.
• Advanced knowledge of sponsored programs compliance and administrative requirements required.
• Knowledge of University structure, systems, processes, policies and procedures required;
• Person must have strong organization skills, be adept at multi-tasking, and must have excellent communication skills (both in writing and verbally) required.

EOE Minorities / Females / Protected Veterans / Disabled:

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion to advance the University’s mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other status protected by law.  This commitment extends to the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates from underrepresented populations, veterans, and persons with disabilities consistent with these values and government contractor Affirmative Action obligations.