Program Manager of the WWU Viking Biomedical Research Initiative

Position Title

Program Manager of the WWU Viking Biomedical Research Initiative

About the University

Western Washington University, with over 15,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 100,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western is one of the highest-ranking public, master's-granting university in the Pacific Northwest, according to the  U.S. News & World Report rankings.

About the Department

The Viking Biomedical Research Initiative (VBR) supports Western's mission, which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences interested in this opportunity.

VBR is an interdisciplinary initiative across the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) and the College of Science and Engineering (CSE) at Western Washington University (WWU). VBR’s mission is to strengthen the WWU research infrastructure and expand faculty and student engagement in biomedical research. VBR brings together faculty members and students from the Departments of Anthropology, Biology, Chemistry, Communication Studies, Communication Sciences & Disorders, Computer Science, Engineering & Design, Health & Human Development, Linguistics, Psychology, and Sociology to participate in a variety of interdisciplinary activities. VBR supports student and faculty research related to biomedical research through grant writing workshops, course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs), and a pilot project grant program to develop projects for external funding and peer-reviewed publications. VBR also manages grant submissions and budgeting, coordinates year-round activities and professional development programs, and oversees the procurement of instrumentation and resources for biomedical research.

About the Position

This position manages the administrative functions of the Viking Biomedical Research Initiative. Duties include (but are not limited to): budgeting and financial management; developing and overseeing year-long VBR activities and communications; managing the VBR office and daily operations; and, advising and interfacing with faculty, staff, students, and outside participants in VBR activities. This position works under general direction and reports to the Director of VBR and works closely with Research and Sponsored Program personnel. This position provides continuity in program management and direction by advising the Director on a variety of topics related to interpreting and implementing VBR, College, and University-level policies and procedures in coordination with the Vice Provost for Research’s Office, the Academic Budget and Administration Office and other College and University departments.

This position is classified as an Administrative Services Manager A and is a 0.8 FTE, 32 hours per week, 12-month position (not cyclic). It is fully in-person project-employment position ending no later than [projected grant end date] with the possibility of a five-year NIH funding renewal.

Summary of Position Responsibilities

Budgeting, Contracts, and Funds Management (20%):

• Initiate, manage, and monitor the financial activity for VBR including all purchasing and reconciliation, records maintenance, adjustments, and cost estimates
• Advise on budgets and approve transactions as VBR budget authority
• Prepare travel forms/requests, personnel action forms, reimbursement and adjustment documents, and review for accuracy and compliance with policies and procedures.

Management and Planning (65 %):

• Participate in the design and implementation of VBR policies and procedures; provide information and advise students, staff and faculty regarding policies, procedures and activities of VBR, Academic Affairs, WWU and the State of Washington. 
• Coordinate, communicate, and troubleshoot VBR events and  meetings, including all aspects of logistics and implementation
• Coordinate, prepare and process documents and communications for the VBR's External Mentor meetings and any VBR committees; give input to the agenda for VBR meetings; participate in in-person and virtual meetings and record minutes.
• Compile VBR program outcomes data for annual program assessment and report