Director of Research Development Services

Title: Director of Research Development Services

Executive Area: Academic Affairs

College/School/MBU: Engineering

Department: Dean - Engineering

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule:Full Time

Work Arrangement:Hybrid

Job Summary

Direct and manage research support services for the College of Engineering (CoE). The College of Engineering has five departments, 17 centers and institutes, and more than 150 research active faculty and staff. This director position will build and manage a team of staff (2-3) focused on providing faculty and research staff with support in the development and submission of sponsors (including industry & non-profit foundations), compliant grant proposals (including interpreting sponsor guidelines), complying with University policies and developing appropriate budgets. This position reports to the Associate Dean of Research.

Essential Functions

Provide leadership for the research support service team in College of Engineering. Serve as a resource for investigators and research administrators, in the interpretation of proposal and agency requirements. Facilitate flow of information between investigators and administrative offices including research compliance. Keep abreast of existing and emerging sponsor regulations, practices, and policies and potential impact on the institution and sponsored programs. Contribute to development of customer communications, services and training.

Direct and supervise a team that provides faculty with high-quality, timely support in the development of competitive grant proposals for individual faculty and faculty teams. Monitor staff workloads and recommend staffing needs. Hire staff, assure thorough and appropriate training; evaluate direct reports.

Educate and train faculty on the overall grant submission process. Facilitate the development of collaborations and partnerships within CoE departments and across the University. Compile grant submission data, prepare related reports and provide information to the Associate Dean of Research to facilitate planning for college research needs. Serve as a liaison between faculty, the office of Research Administrative and Compliance under Research and Engagement as well as granting agencies on behalf of the College.

Oversee and participate in review of draft proposals, including project narratives, budget, and other supporting documentation, in a timely manner to meet grant application deadlines. Review and facilitate the submission of proposals to ensure compliance with University and federal policies and procedures.

Work to promote and coordinate proposal services to college faculty and staff. Interpret policies and rules effecting research support. Work with the Associate Dean in charge of Faculty Development to organize faculty workshops on sources of external funding, develop a program of pre-submission grant review and provide information about grant writing to individual faculty, programs, and departments.

Track grant match commitments and provide information to college financial staff to reflect impacts on college budget.

Develop a system to track proposal submissions against awards.

Other Functions

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree and 4 years of experience directly related to research administration or grant/contract administration. One (1) year of relevant experience may be substitute for every one (1) year of required academia.

Experience with major sponsors such as NSF, NIH, DoD, DoE, USDA, industry partners or non-profit foundations.

Experience in budget development and working knowledge of federal regulations including OMB Circulars.

Demonstrated understanding of fiscal management principles, budgetary/accounting procedures, personnel management, and computer spreadsheet and related software.

Strong interpersonal skills, including experience working with diverse populations.

Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with faculty, researchers, administrators, federal and state agency personnel.

Proven effective oral and written communication, organization, analytical and problem solving skills.

Excellent organizational and communication skills to oversee numerous projects with competing priorities and deadlines.

Ability to understand and contribute to the implementation of departmental and institutional goals for achieving non-discrimination and creating a respectful, inclusive environment that is supportive of diversity.

Ability to use sound judgment in normal, time critical and emergency situations.

Preferred Qualifications

Previous supervisory experience.

Certified Research Administrator from the Research Administrators Certification Council.

Experience working in a university setting.

Experience working with Kuali software.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a standard office or indoor university environment and involves minimal physical exertion.

Work Schedule and Work Arrangement

Typical office hours between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee's work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.

Salary Information

Pay Grade: PSSAP Grade 27

Click here to view the Professional Staff Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions for Applicants

In addition to the application, please include your resume and three (3) professional references.

This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.