Director of Research Administration

School of Public Health at UTHealth Houston

Position Summary

UTHealth is seeking a collaborative Director of Research Administration for its nationally ranked School of Public Health.  Performing as the primary research administrative officer, the Director will oversee a large grants and contracts team dedicated to providing exemplary pre and post-award support to our esteemed faculty and staff.

Under the visionary leadership of Dean Eric Boerwinkle, the Director will oversee the financial management and accounting of over $80 million in annual grants and contracts across 6 campus locations, 4 departments, and 16 centers and institutes.  Funding sources include 118 NIH awards, and various awards from federal, state, local government, foundation, and industry sponsors.

The Director is responsible for managing, coordinating, and evaluating the grant pre-award and post-award process and ensuring high levels of quality, compliance, and accuracy. Additionally, the Director will assist in the development, administration, and training of the school’s pre and post-award policies and procedures. The new Director will have an opportunity to use proven leadership, change management, and communication skills to build an environment of trust, collaboration, and teamwork.

The ideal candidate will have a Certified Clinical Research Associate (CRA) certification and have experience using InfoEd, eRA Commons, Coupa, and PeopleSoft systems.

To express personal interest and/or obtain additional information please contact Shalan Mitchell by email at xxxxxx@uth.tmc.edu or by phone at 713-500-3251. Or use the job apply link listed below.

http://p.rfer.us/UTH4sUC8Q

UTHealth is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment-related activities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law or university policy. Reasonable accommodation, based on disability or religious observances, will be considered in accordance with applicable law and UTHealth policy. The University maintains affirmative action programs with respect to women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and eligible veterans in accordance with applicable law.

Position Key Accountabilities

• Directs administration of research services and oversees daily operations ensuring policies are followed.
• Manages HR Activities for direct reports.
• Establishes and directs school-wide quality control for Pre and Post-Award research administration.
• Responsible for the design, implementation, and oversight of administration structure of Pre-award research management procedures, including training for Pre-award activities.
• Responsible for the design, implementation, and oversight of administrative structure for Post-Award research management procedures, including training for Post-Award activities.
• Responsible for the execution and effectiveness of controls to ensure that Pre and Post-Award research operations are efficient and financial information is accurate and compliant.
• Works with Pre and Post-Award administrators throughout the school to establish a cohesive group of administrators and ensure consistent and continued training and best practices.
• Initiates and hosts semi-monthly grants management meetings for SPH and maintains up-to-date electronic files for general grants resource information and training documents.
• Maintains statistics and reports for school-wide research operations.
• Oversees the design and maintenance of the research services website.
• Serves as liaison for research operations with Sponsored Projects Administration, Legal Affairs, Office of Development, and external agencies.
• Oversees effort reporting for SPH to ensure Investigators certify timely and staff have appropriate access and training.
• Manages and reconciles Research Services budget; and completes monthly review and validation for Research Services allocated budget.
• Manages and reconciles grant accounts for SPH Dean.
• Assists with SPH annual budget and financial matters relating to sponsored funding.
• Manages compliance and ensures staff follow internal and external rules, regulations, and standards.
• Manages and follows up on submission of RPPR and Grant Close-out reports and coordinates with SPA to ensure timely completion.
• Participates with Research Council and serves as a liaison for providing updates, guidance, and implementing changes to improve SPH research processes.
• Oversees and submits guarantee requests for SPH; as well as following up on pending guarantee projects.
• Reviews and coordinates funding allocations in PeopleSoft HCM for sponsored projects submitted by SPH Post-Award staff
• Assists with review and coordination of research reporting involving faculty annual activity reporting (AAR) & indirect cost recovery.
• Initiates and coordinates SPH internal awards; such as PRIME funding and student dissertation awards.
• Works on special projects as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications -

Certification/Skills

Managerial, technical, and leadership decision-making skills.  
Knowledge of Microsoft Access, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint is essential.
Evidence of both technical skills and interpersonal skills for handling sensitive information is necessary.  

Minimum Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, public health, education, behavioral or basic science, or may substitute required education with equivalent years of additional experience beyond the minimum experience requirement.

Minimum Experience

Five years of experience in supervision of research and/or research administration.

Physical Requirements

Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up-to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.

Shalan Mitchell

Executive Recruiter, Executive Recruitment

Human Resources|| University Center Tower
7000 Fannin | Suite, 150 | Houston, Texas 77030
Office: 713-500-3251

Cell: 832-628-3668

xxxxxx@uth.tmc.edu