Assistant Director, Grants

Youngstown State University•Youngstown, OH

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Assists with developing and managing priorities and initiatives to support and grow research activities across the institution. Serves as knowledgeable resource in research administration, integrating proposal development and pre-award functions to support faculty and institutional goals. Works with constituents on proposal submissions, awards, and contract management; provides guidance regarding sponsor requirements, institutional policies, and evolving federal and state regulations. Applies a high level of customer services and professional judgement in supporting faculty and staff, ensuring consistency, compliance and responsiveness in research administration process. Displays accuracy and attention to detail to mitigate risk to the university. Ensures the daily function of operations and services related to any assigned program, initiative, or objective. Works under general supervision and may make some work procedural decisions which do not contravene policies; generally, determines work sequences (which task comes first) within any department/divisional guidelines. Exercises professional judgment to prioritize competing demands and allocate resources effectively to meet departmental goals. Serves as a subject matter expert and resource person for the assigned area.

Requirements

At least a bachelor’s degree
At least two years of related experience
Experience working with grants or project management
Knowledge of university policies and procedures
Knowledge of office practices and procedures
Knowledge of department/division goals and objectives
Knowledge of department/division policies and procedures
Knowledge of workplace safety practices and procedures
Knowledge of English grammar and spelling
Knowledge of records management
Knowledge of office management
Knowledge of project management
Skill in use of office equipment
Skill in typing, data entry
Skill in computer operation
Skill in use of computer software and other programs applicable to the assigned department/division
Ability to deal with problems involving several variables within familiar context
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
Ability to determine material and equipment needs
Ability to calculate fractions, decimals, and percentages
Ability to compile and prepare reports
Ability to use proper research methods to gather data
Ability to understand a variety of written and/or verbal communications
Ability to prepare accurate documentation
Ability to maintain records according to established procedures
Ability to effectively interact with personnel and public to answer routine questions
Ability to train or instruct others
Ability to move quickly and effectively from one task to another
Ability to work independently and in a team environment
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships

Nice To Haves

Experience working with sponsored programs or writing and managing grants
Experience with Banner or another comparable financial accounting systems
Experience with grant proposal preparation and submission to various governmental agencies such as National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institute of Health (NIH), Department of Education (ED)
Experience in an academic setting or higher education

Responsibilities

Guides faculty and staff in identifying funding opportunities, navigating and interpreting sponsor rules and requirements as well as institutional policies and procedures related to proposal submission and overall award management.
Synthesizes and communicates sponsor guidelines, including changes in federal regulations, to ensure accurate interpretation and application in proposal development process and activities.
Provides support for pre-award activities, including completion of required documents, budget development, compliance review, and submission through applicable online systems.
Reviews and coordinates these activities to ensure proposals are complete, accurate, and compliant with sponsor requirements, YSU Policies and aligned with relevant regulatory expectations.
Provides assistance with post-award activities, including budget modifications, extensions, reminders of interim, annual, and final reports and/or completion of other closeout documents required by granting agencies as appropriate.
Supports post-award administration by monitoring requirements, facilitating timely reporting, and ensuring adherence to sponsor and institutional expectations throughout the award lifecycle.
Develops and delivers trainings and/or workshops that promote understanding of research administration process and the electronic research administration (eRA) system.
Develops and delivers training on compliance requirements and sponsor expectations, policies and evolving state and federal regulations.
Maintains and updates the department’s website and Penguin Portal page, reflective of institutional policies and sponsor requirements, supporting accessibility and transparency of research administration resources.
Assists in organizing research events, supporting programming to advance research development and engagement.
Acts as a lead worker; provides functional guidance to lower-level workers.
Supports and supervises student assistants in the completion of special projects.
Provides direction, assigns tasks, and reviews work to ensure accuracy and alignment with departmental objectives.
Designs and delivers training materials and/or other supporting documentation necessary for the operation of the assigned area.
Analyzes complex data sets and prepares comprehensive reports with recommendations for leadership.
Researches and recommends process improvements for departmental operations on a routine or regular basis.
Evaluates effectiveness and recommends enhancements of services.
Participates and/or leads complex projects, including implementation plans, timelines, and resource requirements.
Coordinates daily tasks related to one or more assigned components of overall programs and/or services as assigned.
Regularly communicates with supervisor and other staff, including student workers, as required or needed in the completion of daily tasks in support of overall goals and objectives.
Maintains clear and proactive communication to support coordination, compliance, and effective service delivery.
Prepares and maintains accurate records of daily tasks in accordance with applicable policies and procedures and assures timely communication with supervisor, staff, and students where appropriate.
Gathers data and prepares reports and other information/documentation for supervisory review?related to programs and/or services, or one or more assigned components.
Maintains the appropriate proposal/award dashboards to ensure compliance and data collection.
Maintains and updates Cayuse to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations and data collection.
Supports continuous process improvement in research administration activities.
Maintains current knowledge of research administration practices and regulatory requirements and applies this knowledge to enhance service quality, compliance, and operational effectiveness.
Remains informed of current developments and procedures pertinent to duties; participates in staff development activities; attends meetings, conferences, and other events.
Prepares for and attends events.
Trains new hires.
Performs other duties as assigned and/or required that are within the level of responsibility for this classification at the discretion of the supervisor.