Director of Pre-Award Services
The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, Economic Development and Engagement (REDE) is responsible for research policy and integrity, research administration and contract negotiations across ECU for both the main campus and the health sciences campus. The division directs new intellectual enterprises, including technology transfer. Industry, military and government agency research partnerships and community engagement and economic development activities across the eastern half of North Carolina are also managed by the division. REDE is responsible for the following units under its umbrella: Office of Research Administration, Office of Human Subjects Protections, Office of Research Integrity & Compliance, Office of Research Development, Office of National Security & Industry Initiatives, Office of Economic & Community Engagement, , Office of Licensing & Commercialization, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, Office of Undergraduate Research, and the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee.
Under the direction of the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Administration and Finance in the Division of Research, Economic Development and Engagement (REDE), the Director of Sponsored Programs is responsible for the following:
Manage day-to-day Pre-Award functions in the areas of proposal review and submission, award negotiation and acceptance, and award set-up. Serve as the subject matter expert and assist/train the Contract Officer and Sponsored Programs Officers in reviewing proposals for compliance with ECU policies, as well as identifying and resolving problematic terms and conditions and issues unique to collaborations. Prepare and submit revised budgets and payment schedules, to ensure that the appropriate rates (indirect cost rate and benefit rates) are applied and personnel cost, and other charges appear consistent with the scope of work. Respond to faculty requests for proposal development information as needed/requested. Effectively contributes to the on-going improvement of the unit and university processes, systems, outreach, education, and training initiatives and the mission of the Office of Research Administration.
Provide training and administrative oversight for contract negotiation, subawards, data use agreements and other sponsored program related agreements to ensure acceptability of terms and conditions and alignment with university policies and procedures and all compliance of federal and state regulations.
Hold delegated authority to evaluate and endorse proposals and provides assurances, representations, and certifications on behalf of ECU’s nearly 800 proposals and signatory for nearly 500 awards totaling over $70M annually in secured external funding support for research, teaching, training, service and other sponsored activities supported by public, private and foreign sponsors.
Provide effective supervision of assigned staff including position description development/management, hiring, mentoring/supervising, and corrective action when necessary, workload assignment, performance planning and appraisal. Recommend personnel actions to the AVC and provide supporting documentation for such actions as required by Human Resources.
Maintain in-depth knowledge of external sponsor regulations and act as a liaison between ORA and Associate Deans for Research, college level research administration research support offices, departmental administrators, and faculty investigators to interpret and communicate policies and procedures or specific agreement terms for institutional implementation. Stay abreast of current federal regulations and pending revisions, the Federal Acquisition Regulations, Code of Federal Regulations, cost accounting standards, North Carolina laws, and University of North Carolina System policies and reporting requirements to ensure continued compliance. Provide subject matter expertise to ORA staff, Associate Deans for Research, college level research administration personnel and departmental administrators, and faculty investigators.
Serve as a member of the ORA leadership team. Monitor operational performance of reporting units. Drive continuous improvements for quality and effectiveness of central research administration services. Track issues, make recommendations, and collaborate with the AVC to formulate resolutions to problems. Revise operating procedures and internal business processes to address problems and accommodate changes in the regulatory environment and growth in the sponsored programs portfolio. In collaboration with the eRA Systems Administrator, the Compliance Monitoring Officer and the Education and Communications Officer, develop/modify internal systems, processes, workflows, and reports to promote operational efficiency integrity. Foster and perpetuate a research administration culture of customer service, capability, empowerment, and success that is distinguished by high quality proactive oversight.
At the request of the AVC, represent the Office of Research Administration on internal, division, and university committees and task forces. Foster and perpetuate a research administration culture of customer service, capability, problem solving, empowerment, and success that is distinguished by high quality proactive oversight.
Serve as acting Director in Pre- and Post-Award in the absence of the AVC and as an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) for proposal submissions, award/contract receipt, award/contract modifications, subawards, financial reports/invoices, and non-sponsored project research-related agreements.
Perform special projects and other duties assigned by supervisor, including but not limited to assisting Pre-Award professionals in the areas of compliance, information dissemination, and back-up of the other Pre-Award team members in their absence.
Minimum Education/Experience: Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree with 5 years of progressively responsible experience in Pre-Award management and/or administration of externally sponsored activity, which includes at least 2 years of experience in contract negotiation for various types of sponsored programs agreements and at least 3 years of supervisory experience. For candidates demonstrating comparable experience and professional-level background in research administration, will accept a relevant undergraduate degree and 7 or more years of relevant experience in substitution. Knowledge of key compliance requirements as contained in 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance). Knowledge of priorities, procedures, and the policies of key funding agencies such as NIH, NSF, NASA, DOE, and DOD. Familiarity with other funding sources such as foundations and industry.