Director, Pre-Award & Award Management for Sponsored Research

Department: Office Sponsored Research
Salary/Grade: EXS/12

Marketing Statement

Founded in 1851, Northwestern University is committed to excellent teaching, innovative research, and the personal and intellectual growth of its students in a diverse academic community. Northwestern uniquely combines the assets of several different types of academic institution - the power of a major research university, the creative energy of arts and music conservatories, the intimacy of a liberal arts college, the rich diversity of an international institution, exceptional professional schools, and the excitement of a Big Ten athletic program. The University combines innovative teaching and pioneering research in a highly collaborative environment that transcends academic boundaries.

Northwestern is committed to creating a vibrant ecosystem for discovery, into which it hires exceptional faculty and staff and attracts great students. This ecosystem, inhabited with this pioneering spirit, tradition of innovation, and culture of bold, collaborative discovery, has solidified its place among the nation's leading private research universities: its annual sponsored research awards surpassed $886 million in FY 2020.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, Sponsored Research, the Director of Pre-Award and Award Management (P&AM) will be a confident and accomplished leader who combines domain expertise in the leadership and management of sponsored programs/research and research administration, emotional intelligence, a strong grasp of organizational dynamics and development, and process improvement skills. They will be someone who has the skills and drive to have a measurable impact on the sponsored research activities of a distinguished AAU institution.

The Director of Pre-Award and Award Management will support the OR mission and values of understanding empathy, modeling accountability, ensuring fairness, embracing community, and valuing creativity.

Job Summary:

As a professional staff member of Northwestern University Sponsored Research (SR), the Director of Pre-Award and Award Management is an integral part of the institutional infrastructure that supports innovative research for ten schools, colleges, Centers and Offices across three campuses (Chicago and Evanston, Illinois and Doha, Qatar) at a distinguished AAU institution.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, Sponsored Research (AVP-SR), the Director of Pre-Award and Award Management will provide overall oversight, leadership, compliance, and management for the Sponsored Research Proposals & Award Management unit. In this capacity, the Director exercises delegated authority and oversight on behalf of the University, for the review, approval, authorization and submission of compliant proposals to federal, private, corporate, industry, foundation and state governments and other entities. The incumbent is responsible for initiation and oversight of projects to accomplish strategic objectives individually and in collaboration with other leaders within Sponsored Research, the Office for Research and University. The Director is responsible for the training, mentoring, performance management and development of two Assistant Directors within the unit.

The Director P&AM will support the Office for Research mission and values by exhibiting the following: understand empathy, model accountability, ensure fairness, embrace community and value creativity. The incumbent will strive to provide excellent service when performing job responsibilities.

Specific Responsibilities:

Sponsored Research Operations. Proposals and Award Management:

• Directs, supervises and manages proposal review, approval and submission, and award management for Northwestern Sponsored Research (SR). Responsible for ensuring compliance with university policy, federal regulatory and audit requirements in the review, submission and authorization for all proposals submitted for external funding on behalf of Northwestern University in pursuit of institutional research objectives. Oversees and delegates the submission of proposals for external funding on behalf of the University. Considers and implements measures to mitigate risk to the University in the proposing and acceptance of awards, contracts and other agreements for sponsored research and projects.
• Oversees the development, review, acceptance, and execution of all Northwestern University sponsored projects and research agreements relating to research funded by industries, foundations and governments, clinical, basic and applied research, with a variety of entities both commercial and non-profit. Oversees the effective and efficient administration of related post-award administration for funded sponsored research (e.g., award extensions, transfers, funding, personnel changes, etc.). This includes developing, coordinating, and maintaining systems and procedures that support the efficient tracking and management of Northwestern research support in a timely and compliant manner to support research with Northwestern and sponsor standards.

Training activities:

• Participate in curriculum development and delivery of sponsored research administration training to SR staff, departmental staff and faculty. Lead ongoing service excellence and continuous improvement initiatives, including business process reviews, streamlining, and working with the AVP-SR and University leadership to strengthen a growing an effective sponsored research office.

Compliance:

• Ensures compliance and fiscal integrity of proposal submissions and appropriated awards. Advises on complex award terms during proposal stage and provides alternative language; strategize and implement compliant solutions and craft appropriate alternatives exercising sound judgment and professional discretion. Reviews, approves, and authorizes proposal applications, award amendments and administrative correspondence to sponsors as authorized by the University president. Evaluates the risk associated with the variety of transactions processed. Safeguards university interests with respect to intellectual property, publications, export controls, liability, effort reporting, and other compliance issues.
• Exercises signature authority for execution of sponsored research agreements and other required binding documentation on behalf of Northwestern University, as delegated by the AVP-SR.

Outreach and Strategy:

• Stays informed of relevant changes in the sponsored research landscape such as, sponsor requirements, compliance requirements, regulatory requirements, and best practices through involvement in professional networks and training opportunities. Represents the office as needed in various university forums. Serves as university subject-matter expert for training, escalation, advising on matters related to proposal management, award acceptance and administration. Represents Northwestern Sponsored Research in external industry associations, forums, and collaborations and works to ensure Northwestern University is recognized as a significant contributor and innovator in sponsored research. Lead initiatives to improve processes and practices in relevant and impacted areas of sponsored research administration.
• Leads and participates in system improvement initiatives, monitors changes in sponsor requirements within scope of assigned responsibilities and the impact upon interfaces with other Northwestern University systems, policies and procedures. Maintains appropriate systems to track and manage unit-specific activities in a timely and accurate manner. Develops and maintains up-to-date training materials (e.g., proposal review criteria, , job aides, etc.), standards and operating procedures to ensure consistency in proposals and accepted award terms and conditions. Uses University systems to analyze qualitative and quantitative measures for continual improvement. Identifies needs and proposes solutions; actively contributes to the further development and implementation of those tools and measures. Works with electronic research administration to design, manage, and expand usage and reliability of reports and technology.
• Consistently leads initiatives to improve reporting, transparency (for faculty, administrators, and leadership), and efficiencies without compromising quality and compliance.

Talent Development and Management:

• Supervise, support, and develop the Proposal & Award Management Assistant Director(s) in pre-award and non-financial post-award research administration and handling of complex projects and broad understanding of sponsored research administration including assuming the role of lead/expert to resolve issues when needed. Recruits, hires, and directs the training of staff; determines work plans, sets expectations, goals and objectives, and determines performance standards; evaluates employee performance against written standards; rewards and corrects performance as required. Advise staff on alternative solutions to non-routine issues that arise and attempts to reconcile conflicting perspectives of academia and industry within established guidelines and in a manner that complements and supports Northwestern's overall academic mission and research policy. Works with the AVP-SR and SR Leadership to implement robust training, development, and practice guides to ensure compliance with policies and applicable laws and regulations. Drives best practices in all related areas while empowering staff to excel in their roles and careers.

Miscellaneous

Performed other duties

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Five (5) years progressively responsible experience in the leadership and administration of sponsored research.
• Advanced knowledge of proposal management, award acceptance, subawards, post award financial administration and related federal guidelines, regulations (e.g., Code of Federal Regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulations, Defense Regulations), policies, audit, internal controls and compliance.
• Demonstrated experience in the successful direct management, training, and development of professional staff.
• Demonstrated experience in creating, reviewing and implementing policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated experience with and knowledge of enterprise research administration systems, sponsor systems and the integration and identification of best practices in maximizing technology for efficient workflow and performance.
• Ability to utilize and interpret data for effective, efficient workflow and to achieve and improve customer service and performance goals using good decision-making, judgement and critical/analytical thinking.
• Demonstrated ability to drive and support continuous improvement and change through individual and team contributions.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $125,500-$145,000 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.

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