Director of Sponsored Programs, Contracts
Summary
The Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation is currently seeking to hire a full-time Director to join the Division of Sponsored Programs. This position will support community members with professional, client centered service in the pursuit of externally funded projects. This position will provide leadership to a team in support of the research program at VCU. The position will support a staff with hybrid work schedules and will work significantly on-campus. The successful candidate will interface with many units within the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation, with key stakeholder groups within the broader VCU research community, and with many external funders and collaborators. This position will be responsible for identification of and implementation of strategic initiatives for the Division and provide leadership, guidance and support to a team of contracting professionals.
Typical Duties
The Director is responsible for the following duties:
Provide oversight and management of a variety research contracting activities, including funded and non-funded federal, non-profit and industry agreements. Manage high volume, high complexity contracts in a heavily regulated environment. Articulate a vision for guiding the organization to grow in its capacity to handle complex and high priority contracting in support of institutional and school initiatives. Serve as Authorized Official for sponsored programs activities, including contracts. Assesses policy exception requests and makes risk-based decisions. Monitor regulatory changes, and changes to sponsor guidelines to develop and maintain policies and procedures governing research contracting activities. Facilitate a culture of exceptional customer service in a growing research environment. Work with key stakeholder groups both internal and external on all matters related to research contracting.
Minimum Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will meet the following minimum hiring standards:
Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of skills and experience
Several years of increasingly responsible experience within the field of research administration and/or research contracting
Expertise in negotiating contract terms related to clinical trials, intellectual property, data privacy (domestic and international), and federal contracts/subcontracts
Experience with complex sponsored projects including multiple funding sources and/or multiple partners
Strong organization, analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
Excellent written and oral communication skills with an ability to interact with people at all levels of an organization, both internal and with external stakeholders.
Strong initiative with focus on continuous improvement
Ability to prioritize and perform multiple tasks in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, while providing excellent customer service to a diverse population
Ability to maintain positive and productive working relationships throughout the organization
Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
Preferred Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will also meet the following preferred hiring standards: Five+ years of progressive work experience in research administration contracting at an R1 institution
Five+ years of supervisory experience
Juris Doctorate or advanced degree in a related field
Demonstrated experience managing and supporting change
Position's Physical/Cognitive Requirements:
Emotional Demands:
E Fast Pace
M Average Pace
E Multiple Stimuli
E Frequent change
E Intense customer interaction
Physical Demands and Activities:
E Light lifting (<20 lbs.)
M Moderate lifting (20-50 lbs.)
N/A Heavy lifting (>50 lbs.)
N/A Pushing/pulling
M Walking
M Standing
N/A Climbing
M Sitting
M Reaching
E Repetitive motion
N/A Bending
Mental/Sensory Demands:
E Memory
E Reasoning
E Hearing
E Reading
E Analyzing
E Logic
E Written communication
E Verbal communication
Environmental Conditions:
N/A Extreme heat/cold
N/A Fumes
N/A Extreme noise
N/A Mists/gases
N/A Vibrations
Salary Range: Commensurate with experience
Position Details:
Department: Office of Research
Employment Type: UF - University Employee FT
Restricted Status: Yes
FTE: 1
Exemption Status: Exempt
UAP - Sr Contracts & Grants Officer 26514 - 26516
Exempt
ORP Eligible - YES
Restriction Position - Yes