Director of Research Administration

Director of Research AdministrationThe George Mason University College of Public Health (CPH), invites applications for the position of Director of Research Administration. George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason's academic and culturally inclusive environment.About the College:The College of Public Health is where health research meets health practice and service delivery. By integrating our educational programs, our clinical and community-based research, and our community engagement efforts, Public Health strives to provide a rigorous and innovative learning experience for our students, to be a major provider of the health care workforce in northern Virginia, and to produce new knowledge to address critical health and social issues in policy and practice, while both faculty and students are actively engaged in improving the health and well-being of people both locally and globally. Another key role of the College is research and discovery, including etiologic and interventional research to advance public health.About the Position:Under the direction of the Associate Dean for Research, the Director of Research Administration serves as the primary liaison to school and department administrators, principal investigators (PIs), University offices, and sponsoring agencies on the administrative and accounting aspects of proposals and awarded projects. The Director of Research Administration assists and advises principal investigators on relevant policies, procedures, and regulations, and acts as a resource to department and center administrative staff on sponsored program accounting.Responsibilities:Responsible for new and established principal investigators' understanding and compliance with sponsored project requirements, and university/agency fiscal policies and procedures; analyze trends in revenues and expenditures, advise PIs and college administration accordingly, and complete supervisory tasks. Work Tasks & Duties:Pre Award:Oversees all pre-award functions of the College by supervising and providing daily oversight of two Research Administrators.Assigns appropriate personnel and ensures all proposals receive adequate attention to ensure timely submission;Oversees all pre-award activities including, but not limited to, assisting PIs in the development, preparation, and submission of grant and contract proposals; ensures all applications meet agency and University guidelines, and published timetables and deadlines; ensures proposals are entered and routed in a timely manner for further review; confers with PIs and personnel at collaborating institutions to secure necessary subaward documents for proposals;Via RAMP (Mason's integrated research web-based system), reviews and approves all proposal budgets and budget justifications for consistency with sponsor and compliance with agency and University regulations regarding submission; verifies all financial information to include application of the appropriate overhead rate for the project;Works effectively with other offices (OSP, Fiscal Services, ORIA, schools, departments, divisions) on research proposal submission;Upon award acceptance, defines account establishment parameters, including billing and reporting requirements, budget, and cost-sharing obligations;Coordinates requests for no cost extensions, carryover, re-budgeting requests, changes in scope, and other changes to the award; ensures all requests are done in compliance with sponsor guidelines and University policies; andUpon funding, ensures proper transfer of information from pre- to post award administration.Post Award:Oversees all post award functions of the College by supervising and providing daily oversight of two Senior Grants Administrators to ensure all post award expenditures are allowable, allocable, and reasonable.Assigns appropriate personnel, so PIs receive the necessary support to execute their funded projects including purchasing, hiring of student/wage employees, fellowship/scholarship/tuition processing, monthly reconciliations, etc.;Reviews all budget, reporting, and compliance timelines through the lifecycle of funded projects;Works directly with faculty to allocate the appropriate level of effort to funded projects, and ensures all grant personnel actions and cost transfers are completed;Discusses progress each semester and when nearing the end of the period of performance; reports any issues to the Associate Dean of Research and College Director of Finance and Administration;Analyzes trends in both expenditures and awards, and advises PIs and college administration accordingly. This includes complex data analysis and reporting on an ad hoc basis, as well as routine reporting and forecasting work; andCoordinates when transferring awards in and out of the university.Training & Communication:Identifies and provides training and communication for the College-wide audience.Assists the Associate Dean for Research in organizing monthly lunch & learn for faculty;Assists the Associate Dean for Research in compiling research updates that includes funding opportunities, training announcements, major updates to policies/procedures, and other important announcements; andProvides and recommends research administration training and professional development opportunities to the College's Research Administrators, Grants Administrators, Unit Financial Analysts, and other research staff members.Other:Assists in resolving a wide variety of sponsored project issues.Works independently and meets with the Associate Dean for Research on a regular basis to discuss matters and provide updates;Works together with the Associate Dean for Research in all matters related to pre and post award grant activities including problem areas, grant actions, managing funded centers, conflict of interest, research misconduct and training requirements, effort reporting (payroll certification), human subjects, and special issues with international projects;Generates ad hoc reports for college level decision-making;Represents the College with various departments including OSP, Fiscal Services, central Budget Office, and Human Resources;Provides supervision for Lab Manager to ensure their daily operations are being completed promptly and effectively; andCompletes other assignments as needed.Minimum Qualifications:Master's degree in relevant field of study;Working knowledge of federal and non-federal sponsored project management requirements and of OMB circulars regulating federal grants;Substantial skill with database management and financial reporting systems;Excellent verbal and written communication skills;Demonstrated ability to successfully interpret and advise on federal, state, and agency regulations, policies and procedures; andConsiderable experience in Research Administration.Preferred Qualifications:Experience in Higher Education;Experience with Business Intelligence reporting tools (MicroStrategy); andExperience with Ellucian Banner.

For full consideration, applicants must apply for position number FA56DZ at https://jobs.gmu.edu; complete and submit the online application; and upload (1) a cover letter of interest, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) a list of three references with full contact information, and (4) a diversity statement summarizing the extent to which you have worked with any individuals from marginalized groups in a teaching, mentorship, or advisory capacity, and how you helped them identify and overcome barriers to success. For full consideration, please apply to this position by August 1, 2023.NOTE: Candidates who are invited for second round interviews (in person or virtually) must arrange for the search committee to receive three letters of recommendation prior to the second interview.

"Great Careers Begin at Mason! George Mason University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in both academics and research. Mason holds a top U.S. News and World Report "Up and Coming" spot for national universities and is recognized for its global appeal and excellence in higher education.Mason is currently the largest and most diverse university in Virginia with students and faculty from all 50 states and over 135 countries studying in over 200 degree programs at campuses in Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William, as well as at learning locations across the commonwealth. Rooted in Mason's diversity is a campus culture that is both rewarding and exciting, work that is meaningful, and opportunities to both collaborate and create.If you are interested in joining the Mason family take a look at our current opportunities and catch some Mason spirit at jobs.gmu.edu/!George Mason University, Where Innovation is Tradition."