Associate Director, Post-Award Research Support

About the role

The Associate Director of Post-Award Research Support leads and manages all post-award research administration services for the Case School of Engineering's central research administration office. This role ensures consistent, expert guidance on award setup, financial management, compliance monitoring, reporting, and closeout.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all post-award research administration services.
• Provide expert guidance on award setup, sound financial management, timely reporting, and full compliance with sponsor, federal, and university requirements.
• Partner with faculty, department administrators, and central university offices to interpret complex award terms, resolve financial or compliance issues, and provide clear, expert guidance that supports responsible stewardship of sponsored funds.
• Maintain compliance with regulatory, policy, and sponsor changes through clear guidance, updated procedures, and training for school-level stakeholders.
• Supervise and develop post-award staff, fostering a culture of professionalism, continuous learning, and operational excellence.
• Implement best practices that reduce administrative burden, mitigate institutional risk, and support long-term scalability.
• Collaborate with the Associate Director, Pre-Award Research Support to strengthen centralized research administration systems and processes.
• Review responses to external audit requests.
• Resolve administrative issues with industrial partners and other sponsoring agencies.
• Facilitate resolving any legal or contract issues during the course of an award.
• Act as liaison to other research and administrative units involved in research administration.
• Expedite Office of Research and Technology Management sub-award reviews and approvals.
• Provide coverage if the associate director pre-award is out.

Qualifications

• Experience: 8 or more years of relevant experience. Grants management or research administration experience preferred. Experience in a university is highly preferred.
• Education: Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
• Skills: Demonstrated ability to represent the research support office as a credible entity throughout the organization, establishing its reputation for reliability and expertise in research administration. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships, service-oriented mindset, and effective verbal and written communication skills. Excellent organizational skills, strong problem-solving abilities, customer service orientation, strategic thinking, and attention to detail ensuring high accuracy. Expertise in managing complex financial accounts and funds, high-level financial analysis, customized reporting, and proficiency in financial management systems. Ability to develop and implement strategic plans, effective resource allocation, and process improvement to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. In-depth knowledge of regulations, ensuring compliance, minimizing risk, and effective risk management strategies. Proven ability to supervise and manage staff, set priorities, analyze workflow, allocate resources, and develop and implement policies and procedures for enhanced performance. Proficiency working with information management systems. Expert working knowledge with the PeopleSoft Financial System is preferred. Demonstrated competence in the use of spreadsheet and database in financial analysis, fiscal management and financial reports. Must be proficient in use of Microsoft Office and common desktop/web applications. Advanced knowledge of contracts and grants transactions and applicable financial systems, as well as related policy, accounting and regulatory compliance requirements for federal government, industrial, non-profit organizations, and state government. Substantial knowledge and experience in research pre-awards administration, proposal preparation/submission processes. Expert working knowledge of institutions of higher education fiscal policies/procedures. Expert knowledge of external sponsor requirements, such as NSF, DOE, DARPA, NIH, etc. Detail oriented. Willingness to learn and work with artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies. Ability to demonstrate successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest. Ability to meet consistent attendance. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.

Benefits

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

Pay

The salary range is between $65,779 and $83,210 depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Schedule

General office environment. The employee will perform repetitive motion using a computer mouse and keyboard to type. This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period, and signing the remote work checklist certification form.