Director, Office of Research at University of Washington Tacoma in Tacoma, Washington

Job Description:

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

The Office of Research in the Division of Academic Affairs has an outstanding opportunity for a Director.

This position will work under the supervision of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research (AVCR) directing all work related to sponsored research activities on the University of Washington Tacoma campus that are centralized within the UW Tacoma Office of Research. This individual will exercise independent judgment in all aspects of this work including interpreting and applying University wide rules and regulations associated with research administration to all research activities occurring on the UW Tacoma campus. Under the direction and supervision of the AVCR, this position will work directly with faculty and professional research staff supporting individual faculty research needs and/or delegating support needs to Office of Research staff. The Director will play a leadership role on the UW Tacoma campus working with the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (EVCAA), AVCR, academic Deans, Directors of university recognized Research Centers, administrative leadership in Finance and Administration and Advancement, and the Faculty Assembly Research Advisory Committee, on strategic development and implementation of policies, procedures, and development of campus infrastructure needed to support our urban-serving mission as it relates to engaged scholarship and a growing sponsored research enterprise.

The Director oversees administrative and operations aspects of the UW Tacoma Office of Research and provides technical and administrative leadership to faculty and staff as well as guidance, oversight and direction of administrative functions. As the research enterprise at UW Tacoma matures, the Office of Research will require leadership and technical skills to create the infrastructure that will support the research programs, faculty, staff and mission of the University.

This position has a comprehensive range of responsibilities for unit operations. Core competencies include professionalism, management and collaboration skills, leadership, communication skills, organizational and analytical skills, process improvement skills, and technical and professional knowledge.

The Director provides oversight required to create integration of required business processes and collaboration among research activities as appropriate. This position will work with campus leaders, research faculty and staff to build credible, collaborative administrative relationships. The Director will be expected, when assigned, to serve on university committees to support development of cross organizational programs and processes that benefit the unit and the institution. This position is responsible for expanding and ensuring the success of the entire UW Tacoma campus sponsored research enterprise and will work primarily in person on the UW Tacoma campus.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

LEAD OFFICE OF RESEARCH MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION (70%)

• Direct all centralized sponsored research administration activities within the Office of Research creating efficient processes and procedures to support faculty across the UW Tacoma campus with all pre-award and post-award needs, with post award work done in collaboration with academic units and campus financial Shared Environment.
• Supervise Office of Research staff creating a positive and challenging work environment that allows staff to provide the highest quality support to UW Tacoma faculty and research staff while balancing work loads and expectations, as appropriate.
• Manage the budget for the UW Tacoma Office of Research in collaboration with AVCR.
• Develop, revise, and monitor effectiveness of Tacoma campus-level policies and procedures that are intended to support a growing research enterprise and ensure that the policies are in alignment with UW policies.
• Develop clear communication tools and messages that enhance UW Tacoma faculty and staff understanding of UW Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) policies and procedures, general pre-award procedures and submission guidelines (including deadlines), and sponsored research compliance requirements.
• Monitor training requirements for all faculty serving as a Principal Investigator (PI); work with faculty to ensure that training is up to date, as required by UW policies.
• Monitor, coordinate, and report on sponsored research activities and programs including developing campus-level systems to track and report on proposal, grant, and contract activities. Provide regular reports to campus leadership.
• Manage the overall proposal review and submission process working directly with Principal Investigators across all UW Tacoma units; work with faculty, collaborators, sponsors, and administrators, to ensure that a competitive proposal is compliant and submitted to the sponsors through appropriate electronic submission systems and through the UW System to Administer Grants Electronically (SAGE).
• Review all incoming awards and work directly with PIs and OSP representatives on final negotiations of the award (including review of all terms and conditions) and booking of funds within UW financial systems.
• Conduct University-wide administrative and fiscal reviews of grant and contract awards, as needed. Review award instruments for consistency with university policies and procedures and state law and negotiating research agreements with federal, nonfederal, and non-profit agencies.
• Work with faculty and department administrators with compliance required for specific awards and regularly consult with university officials in the proper management of federal and non-federal programs.
• Provide guidance and assistance with major compliance areas such as human subjects, data management, and intellectual property, as needed.
• Work with faculty on non-award agreements such as non-disclosure agreements, data management agreements, and material transfer agreements.
• Liaise between funding agencies and the University as well as facilitate approvals for administrative actions for sponsored awards such as change in scope of work, adding personnel, re-budgeting, and requesting supplemental funding.
• Provide regular reports to campus leadership.

UW RESEARCH LIAISON / OUTREACH/SERVICE (30%)

• Serve as the primary liaison between UW Tacoma, UW Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) leadership, UW Research Advisory Board, and UW Bothell Sponsored Programs leadership. Represent UW Tacoma on key OSP committees and working groups.
• Develop and lead on-campus workshops with AVCR for faculty and staff on proposal development, grants management, and other aspects of sponsored programs.
• Work with campus marketing and communication staff to highlight engaged scholarship and sponsored research successes throughout the academic year.
• Develop and maintain mutually supportive working relationships with all campus and university offices including Academic Deans, Office of Community Partnerships, Directors of university recognized Research Centers, Advancement, Finance and Administration, academic unit administrators and support staff, and responsible UW offices and administrators.
• Develop and maintain mutually supportive working relationships with all faculty and research staff who are interested in pursuing engaged scholarship and sponsored research.
• Represent the UW Tacoma Office of Research on key UW Tacoma strategic planning and leadership committees, as needed, and as assigned by AVCR and EVCAA.
• Support diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the research process.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelors degree in Business, Public Administration, or related field.
• At least 6 years of experience with administration of a complex academic, research or business unit, including all routine business operations and activities.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work independently to direct staff, manage budgets and fiscal matters, and to support the AVCR and EVCAA and faculty in providing program initiatives, policies and tactics, and short- and long-range strategic planning.
• Broad strategic and problem-solving experience with excellent planning, organizational and strong financial management skills are critical.
• Financial and analytical expertise in budget development, and financial contracts.
• Familiarity with grant and contract writing, submissions and fiscal oversight of research projects.
• Familiarity with information systems, regulatory compliance issues and business operations.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills; demonstrated ability to maintain productive working relationships across multiple constituencies and effectively address complex and sensitive administrative issues.
• Track record of working effectively and collaboratively with the leadership of a research center or academic department.
• Ability to work with faculty members in the culture of academia.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Masters degree in Business Administration, Finance, OD or other related field.
• 10+ years of direct management experience in higher education administration and finance operations, preferably in the area of grants and contracts.

Application Process:The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select Apply to this position. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your My Jobs page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 ordso@uw.edu.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required underWashington state law.

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