Award Acceptance Manager

About the role

The Award Acceptance Manager provides operational leadership for SPA’s Award Acceptance function and is responsible for overseeing the timely, consistent, and effective review, negotiation, acceptance, documentation, and stewardship of sponsored research awards and related agreements. The position supervises a team of Grants & Agreements Specialists responsible for reviewing, negotiating, and accepting sponsored awards and research agreements; drafting and executing outgoing subaward agreements; and documenting award information necessary to support institutional stewardship, compliance, and financial management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the timely, consistent, and effective review, negotiation, acceptance, documentation, and stewardship of sponsored research awards and related agreements.
• Supervise a team of Grants & Agreements Specialists responsible for reviewing, negotiating, and accepting sponsored awards and research agreements; drafting and executing outgoing subaward agreements; and documenting award information necessary to support institutional stewardship, compliance, and financial management.
• Serve as the University’s technical resource for research agreements and lead operational improvements that strengthen research administration services and support the University’s research mission.
• Serve as an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) and Institutional Signing Official for sponsored projects, authorized to execute sponsor required certifications, assurances, representations, and other institutional approvals related to sponsored projects.
• Monitor and communicate project status, keep multiple projects on track, and interact with diverse personnel issues and circumstances.
• Communicate clearly and diplomatically with all levels of the University, sponsors, and audit agencies.
• Exercise independent judgment and skill in problem-solving and decision-making in the most difficult and unique areas.
• Lead operational improvements through workload management, process improvement, and data-informed decision making.
• Develop and foster harmonious working relationships among employees, maintain positive morale, and motivate productivity.
• Develop and promote team dynamics, facilitate, empower, and foster creativity.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and three or more years of related experience.
• A Master’s Degree may substitute for a portion of experience requirements.
• Experience reviewing, interpreting, and negotiating sponsored awards and research agreements, including grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements.
• Experience interpreting and applying federal and state laws and regulations, including experience in financial management of sponsored awards.
• Experience drafting and issuing subaward agreements.
• Working knowledge of federal regulations governing research (e.g., OMB Uniform Guidance, Federal Acquisition Regulations, and sponsor policies).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to learn quickly, apply creativity, understand complex processes and procedures, prioritize workload, set and meet deadlines, and perform well with a minimum of direct supervision.
• Demonstrated commitment to excellent customer service and focus on customer support.
• Computer and technical skills: proficiency in Google, Microsoft Office, including Word, and Excel, scheduling and email programs as well as financial information systems and the ability to troubleshoot systems and learn new applications quickly.
• Ability to communicate ideas, thoughts, and meaning to clearly articulate positions and communicate clearly and diplomatically with all levels of the University, sponsors and audit agencies.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and proven skill in problem solving and decision making in the most difficult and unique areas; demonstrated ability to anticipate consequences of decisions, proactively plan to resolve problems, and identify and implement viable solutions.
• Ability to lead operational improvements through workload management, process improvement, and data-informed decision making.
• Ability to handle diverse personnel issues and circumstances; in interacting tactfully and diplomatically, yet assertively, with persons from diverse backgrounds and in creating and supporting harmonious working relationships among employees, maintain positive morale and motivating productivity.
• Demonstrated coaching skills (developing team dynamics, facilitating; promoting empowerment; fostering creativity).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and three or more years of related experience.
• A Master’s Degree may substitute for a portion of experience requirements.
• Experience reviewing, interpreting, and negotiating sponsored awards and research agreements, including grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements.
• Experience interpreting and applying federal and state laws and regulations, including experience in financial management of sponsored awards.
• Experience drafting and issuing subaward agreements.
• Working knowledge of federal regulations governing research (e.g., OMB Uniform Guidance, Federal Acquisition Regulations, and sponsor policies).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to learn quickly, apply creativity, understand complex processes and procedures, prioritize workload, set and meet deadlines, and perform well with a minimum of direct supervision.
• Demonstrated commitment to excellent customer service and focus on customer support.
• Computer and technical skills: proficiency in Google, Microsoft Office, including Word, and Excel, scheduling and email programs as well as financial information systems and the ability to troubleshoot systems and learn new applications quickly.
• Ability to communicate ideas, thoughts, and meaning to clearly articulate positions and communicate clearly and diplomatically with all levels of the University, sponsors and audit agencies.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and proven skill in problem solving and decision making in the most difficult and unique areas; demonstrated ability to anticipate consequences of decisions, proactively plan to resolve problems, and identify and implement viable solutions.
• Ability to lead operational improvements through workload management, process improvement, and data-informed decision making.
• Ability to handle diverse personnel issues and circumstances; in interacting tactfully and diplomatically, yet assertively, with persons from diverse backgrounds and in creating and supporting harmonious working relationships among employees, maintain positive morale and motivating productivity.
• Demonstrated coaching skills (developing team dynamics, facilitating; promoting empowerment; fostering creativity).

Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to learn quickly, apply creativity, understand complex processes and procedures, prioritize workload, set and meet deadlines, and perform well with a minimum of direct supervision.
• Demonstrated commitment to excellent customer service and focus on customer support.
• Interpersonal skills for inter-departmental communication and team-building in complex institutional setting.
• Ability to monitor and communicate project status, keep multiple projects on track.
• Ability to communicate ideas, thoughts, and meaning to clearly articulate positions and communicate clearly and diplomatically with all levels of the University, sponsors and audit agencies.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and proven skill in problem solving and decision making in the most difficult and unique areas; demonstrated ability to anticipate consequences of decisions, proactively plan to resolve problems, and identify and implement viable solutions.
• Ability to lead operational improvements through workload management, process improvement, and data-informed decision making.
• Ability to handle diverse personnel issues and circumstances; in interacting tactfully and diplomatically, yet assertively, with persons from diverse backgrounds and in creating and supporting harmonious working relationships among employees, maintain positive morale and motivating productivity.
• Demonstrated coaching skills (developing team dynamics, facilitating; promoting empowerment; fostering creativity).

Benefits

• 95% premium paid healthcare.
• A generous retirement and vacation package.
• Reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools.

Pay

Salary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band. PSU has a structured process for determining starting compensation, taking into account years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity. The starting annual salary for this position will be between $65,100 and $86,274 but may be negotiated above this range dependent upon the factors above, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.

Schedule

Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement: Monday - Friday, 40 hours per week, schedule to be determined.