The School of Public Health and Health Sciences at UMass Amherst is looking for a Director of Research Administration with experience leading a team of research administrators that primarily support NIH awards.

Job Summary

The Director of Research Administration reports directly to the Associate Dean of Administration and Finance and directly oversees the Research Administration Office (RAO), including specialists, coordinators, and administration staff. This position is designed to strengthen and enhance research in the School of Public Health and Health Sciences (SPHHS).

The Director is responsible for overseeing and directing a broad range of functional and operational activities that support grant administration: pre-award and grant application, post-award and grant administration, finance and budget related to grants, procurement and invoicing, human resources, including funding changes. 

The Director will also manage a portfolio of primary investigators (PIs) that represent the most complex or requiring direct, leader-level support.

Essential Functions

• Directs and supervises a team that provides faculty with high-quality, timely support in the development of successful grant proposals and post-award activity for individual faculty and faculty teams. 
• Provides leadership for the Research Administration Office.
• Coordinates efforts with the Associate Dean for Administration and Finance.
• Serves as a resource for and partner/communicate with the Associate Dean of Research.
• Serves as a resource for RAO team members, investigators and research administrators on any and all pre-award and post-award activity.
• Monitors staff workloads and recommends staffing needs.
• Accountable for recruitment, training and on-/off-boarding of the RAO team, performance evaluation, compensation, mentoring, training, and general operations.
• Develops training materials, processes, and aligned resources to support efficient, best-in-class pre and post award administration for the RAO team, department grants and contracts coordinators, and grant-level project managers as appropriate.
• Facilitates flow of information between investigators, administrative offices including research compliance.
• Keeps abreast of existing and emerging sponsor regulations, practices, and policies and potential impact on the School and sponsored programs.
• Contributes to development of excellent customer communications, services and training.
• Reviews vendor bids/proposals, terms and conditions, prepare contracts for services.
• Serves as a liaison between faculty, the University Office of Grants and Contracts and granting agencies on behalf of the SPHHS.
• Creates timelines and facilitates an efficient process for faculty to submit grant application materials including but not limited to: draft proposals, project narratives, budget, and other supporting documentation, in a timely manner to meet grant application deadlines set by VCRE office and funding agencies.
• Reviews and facilitates the submission of proposals to ensure compliance with University and federal policies and procedures.

Other Functions

• Performs other responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor's Degree; 5-7 years of work experience in related research administration; 3 years of supervisory experience OR an Associate's Degree and 7+ years of experience in related research administration; 4 years of supervisory experience.
• Highly computer literate including current and emerging networked data systems, software applications, database programming, and data retrieval for financial applications.
• Excellent organizational, communication and analytical thinking skills.
• Proven effective oral and written communication, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to effectively manage details, competing priorities, and deadlines.
• Ability to:
• Create, analyze, and monitor grants, prepare reports/financial statements and develop creative process management systems and communication.
• Work independently and with multiple constituencies.
• Carry significant responsibility, make decisions and work well in a public service environment.
• Functional understanding of:
• Grant and sponsoring organizations (e.g. NIH, NSF, AHA, ADA)
• Commonwealth or municipal purchasing/procurement and cash handling policies

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Human Resource Management or related field.
• Related work experience in research administration and/or higher education.
• Experience with management of public funds.
• Familiarity with PeopleSoft, Kuali, Summit, ePAF, UMPLAN, BuyWays, OneCard, and other UMA systems/applications.

Work Schedule

• 37.5 hours per week; Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5:00 pm.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Typical office environment.

Salary Information

Level 28

PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with your application, please submit a resume, cover letter and contact information for 3 professional references.

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Nov 21 2023 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: Feb 21 2024 Eastern Standard Time

Link to Apply:

https://careers.umass.edu/amherst/en-us/job/521475/director-of-research-administration

Donna Falcetti

Associate Dean of Administration & Finance

School of Public Health and Health Sciences | University of Massachusetts Amherst

205 Arnold House | 715 N Pleasant St | Amherst, MA 01003