Assoc. Director, Special Projects

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The Office of the Vice Provost for Research, Office of Research Administration (ORA) seeks a temporary Assoc. Director, Special Projects to support the Assoc. Vice President of Research Administration.

Work location: University of Miami Coral Gables Campus.

CORE JOB SUMMARY                                                                      

The Office of Research Administration (ORA) is the University's institutional office responsible for reviewing, endorsing and submitting proposals to extramural sponsors for research, clinical trials, training, instructional and other sponsored activities.  As a leader in the Office of Research Administration (ORA), the Assoc. Director, Special Projects, is integrally involved in the review and analysis of complex sponsored projects and provides research administration services to a portfolio of academic departments and research units, including acting as one of the institutional liaisons with external sponsors.  The Assoc. Director provides administrative support for pre-award, contract, and post-award processes as assigned by the Associate Vice President for Research Administration to ensure the success of initiatives aimed at improving processing times, data quality, and customer service.  Ensures that sponsored projects are consistent with sponsors and University policies and guidelines, while providing outstanding customer service to faculty and support staff.

CORE JOB FUNCTIONS                                                                                           

• Ensures timely, accurate and compliant proposal submissions.
• Conducts comprehensive analysis and negotiates all research agreements, evaluating terms and conditions of research grants and contracts involving awards from various sources, including:  government, foundation, corporate and, engaging in negotiations to establish the financial, legal, and other contractual terms. 
• May be required to oversee staff responsible for creating compliant billing grids for clinical research projects to maintain billing compliance.
• Conducts comprehensive analysis and negotiates all applicable research contract and grant budgets, focusing on clinical care pricing, fair market value, from various sources, including:  government, foundation, corporate and industry. Interacts with other ORA personnel, Principal Investigators and study teams, Compliance, IRB (Human Subject Research Office), Technology Transfer, Risk Management, and other relevant offices to ensure that research initiation is managed in an efficient and effective manner consistent with UM policies and procedures, and that applications are compliant and fiscally sound. Maintains advanced knowledge of applicable OMB circulars, NIH Policy Statement and other applicable regulations.
• Provides updates and status reports to senior management on a regular basis by track relevant data using University systems and other tools and provides leadership with metrics, including through output and turnaround time.
• Oversees, trains, and mentors staff in assigned team.
• Partners with other departments to facilitate transparent and accountable research administration and coordinate documentation and approval processes.
• Maintains effective relationships with sponsor representatives to facilitate communication. 
• Establishes and continuously assesses the effectiveness of the internal controls within the unit and compliance with University policies and procedures.
• Ensures employees are trained on controls within the function and on University policy and procedures.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.

CORE QUALIFICATIONS                                                                                        

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field. Master’s degree in relevant field preferred.

Certification and Licensing:

CRA or CFRA or CHRC certification preferred

Experience:

Minimum 10 years of relevant experience, ideally in an academic setting. Appropriate combination of r