Logo
Northwestern University

Senior Research Administrator

Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290

Save Job

Department MED-Obstetrics & Gynecology

Salary/Grade EXS/9

Job Summary Provides administrative leadership by incorporating a significant amount of experience in support of unit's research programs and mission. May provide sole support to a small to mid‑size unit, or support a portion of activities in a larger unit. Using extensive research administration experience within the unit, coordinates all aspects of multiple grant & contract pre‑ and post‑award activities. Assists in developing new funding opportunities & strategic plans regarding grants & contracts by providing guidance & counsel in regard to grant & contract administration which includes attending internal & external meetings, interpreting clauses, reviewing contracts, & resolving reporting & expense problems. Reviews associated policy & procedures & recommends changes to increase productivity & effectiveness.

Please Note Supervisor provides overall objectives and in consultation with the employee (EE) develops deadlines. Work is reviewed for fulfillment of objectives & overall compliance with policy & procedures. EE completes majority of activities without direction; consulting with supervisor only in regard to new or unusual circumstances. EE uses judgment & an extensive amount of experience to adapt an advanced knowledge of skills, methods, practices, policies & procedures & a moderate degree of innovation, analysis, & reasoning to plan & prioritize work that is primarily project oriented & involves some extremely difficult problems & decisions. EE interprets policy.

Specific Responsibilities Complexity

Administers multiple research projects such as:

Complex multi‑PI or multi‑unit proposals, grants & contracts

Research portfolio for a more complex small to mid‑size unit

NIH U – approximately $500K+/yr over multiple years

NIH P – approximately $500K+/yr over multiple years

NIH T – approximately $100‑$200K+/yr over multiple years

DOD and industry awards

Center or program grants

Proposals with cost sharing

Fixed‑price contracts

Non‑funded negotiations such as NDAs, user agreements

Pre‑Award

Manages pre‑award administration of grants and/or contracts.

Coordinates proposal submission.

Coordinates budget and justification preparation.

Completes sponsor and university proposal forms.

Coordinates IRB and IACUC protocols; sub‑recipients, facilities, administrative costs, space, and co‑investigator agreements.

Creatively and proactively evaluates and resolves problems and makes decisions.

Post‑Award

Coordinates post‑award activities.

Monitors execution of all financial transactions in research portfolio.

Forecasts & provides information for reports on financial status of projects.

Manages day‑to‑day financial functions.

Verifies that protocols are linked to CUFS chart strings; labor distribution assignments.

Completes expenditure reviews.

Reconciles monthly payroll entries.

Verifies & processes cost share entries.

Prepares & submits invoices to sponsors.

Identifies program income issues.

Proposes resolutions to overdrafts.

Prepares interim & final financial reports.

Facilitates account close‑out activities.

Participates in efforts to improve research administration including serving on university committees related to research administration.

Financial

Oversees unit's entire sponsored project portfolio.

Reviews transactions and resolves issues that require a more complex level of financial understanding such as cost‑sharing & effort reporting knowledge.

Provides information to senior management used for department budgeting purposes.

Human Resources – manages & integrates all departmental staff efforts for grant & contract administration.

Provides research administration training.

Develops staff.

Mentors other administrative staff in research administration.

Serves as the primary resource for research administration guidance.

Compliance

Ensures compliance with all appropriate NU policies & practices; local, state, federal, agency & sponsor rules, regulations & requirements regarding grant & contract administration.

Recommends changes to improve programs, policy & practice.

Resolves compliance problems & issues working in conjunction with faculty.

Supervision

Provides direct supervision to research support staff.

Assigns & reviews staff work.

Miscellaneous Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Successful completion of a full 4‑year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.

A minimum of 5 years’ experience required with 2 years of research administration and 3 years of research, finance, administrative or other relevant experience.

Minimum Competencies (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

Organization, time management, detail oriented

Multi‑tasking, communication

Self‑starter, diplomatic, pro‑active, manage stress

Managing people

Provide leadership by cooperatively anticipating, coordinating, strategizing

Target hiring range for this position will be between $79,000 - $93,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high‑quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at

https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html

to learn more.

Work‑Life And Wellness Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at

https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html

to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at

https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html

to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern’s

non‑discrimination statement . Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View

additional information on the accommodations process .

#J-18808-Ljbffr