Director of Research Administration

About the role

This position serves as the Department Associate Controller for Financial Reporting, overseeing the post-award administration of sponsored projects. The role provides vision, leadership, and direction for all post-award functions, ensuring alignment with the university's research growth goals.

Responsibilities

• Provides vision, leadership, and direction for all post-award functions, ensuring alignment with the university's research growth goals.
• Led, mentors, and develops staff to build a culture of service, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Fosters strong partnerships with Pre-Award, Compliance, Finance, and other key stakeholders to create a seamless research support environment.
• Serves as a primary resource for faculty and research administrators on financial management of sponsored projects.
• Promotes a customer service culture that prioritizes timely, accurate, and proactive support.
• Communicates complex regulations and financial requirements in clear, faculty-friendly language.
• Oversees the full life cycle of post-award activities, including award setup, budget management, invoicing financial reporting, effort certification, and closeout.
• Ensures compliance with federal (Uniform Guidance), state, system, and sponsor regulations.
• Manages risk through timely reconciliations, proactive monitoring, and corrective actions when necessary.
• Establishes policies, procedures, and internal controls that ensure strong financial stewardship of sponsored funds.
• Captures audits and reviews with internal and external entities, ensuring accurate and timely responses.
• Stays current on regulatory changes and sponsor requirements, translating them into effective institutional practices.
• Pairs with Pre-Award to improve transition between pre- and post-award and create a unified, faculty-centered research support model.
• Identifies opportunities to streamline processes, leverage technology, and reduce administrative burden on faculty.
• Serves as a bridge between researchers and administrative units, ensuring clear communication and resolution of issues.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, business, finance, or related field required.
• Masters degree or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license preferred.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, post-award management, or sponsored projects accounting or in a related field.
• Demonstrated leadership experience with a proven record of team building, staff development, and fostering a culture of service.

Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of federal, state, and sponsor regulations (Uniform Guidance, NIH, NSF, etc.).
• Strong financial management, budgeting, and compliance skills.
• Must exhibit a high level of professionalism and maturity, executive ability, and a keen understanding of protocol.
• Ability to organize work effectively and prioritize objectives.
• Ability to exercise discretion, excellent reasoning, and independent judgment.
• Assists in the development of policies and operational procedures for the overall department.
• Skilled in directing multiple tasks, setting priorities, and organizing operations.
• Asset and fiscal resources management skills preferred.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with administration, faculty, staff, and the public.
• Strong communication skills, both orally and written.
• Requires the critical judgment for the department, in which very serious consequences on decision-making can occur.
• Interprets and applies complex directives, policies, regulations, statutes, and procedures, and/or written guidelines for a department or major work group.

Skills

• Expert knowledge of federal, state, and sponsor regulations (Uniform Guidance, NIH, NSF, etc.).
• Strong financial management, budgeting, and compliance skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex directives, policies, regulations, statutes, and procedures.

Benefits

N/A

Pay

N/A

Schedule

N/A