Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Administration

University of Mississippi • Piscataway, NJ

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Administration (AVC-RA) is a senior leadership position within the Office of Research and Economic Development at the University of Mississippi. Reporting directly to the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development (VCRED), the AVC-RA provides strategic guidance and coordination for the University’s sponsored programs administration infrastructure and serves as a key partner in advancing the institution’s research mission. The AVC-RA is responsible for supporting effective stewardship, compliance, and operational excellence of sponsored projects throughout the award lifecycle, with primary coordination for post-award administration and research financial management. The position works closely with pre-award administration, procurement, finance, compliance, and academic leadership to promote an integrated and service-oriented research administration environment that supports faculty success while maintaining the highest standards of regulatory compliance and fiscal stewardship. As a senior research administration executive, the AVC-RA serves as a strategic advisor to university leadership and plays a critical role in supporting the continued growth of the University’s research enterprise through operational excellence, process improvement, risk mitigation, and customer-focused service delivery.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or higher from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, sponsored programs administration, research finance, compliance, procurement, or related research operations.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing complex administrative operations within a research-intensive university, academic medical center, federal laboratory, government agency, or similarly complex organization.
• Extensive knowledge of federal sponsored project requirements, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), sponsor regulations, financial compliance requirements, and research administration best practices.
• Demonstrated experience leading organizational improvement initiatives and managing institutional risk.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA), CPA, or comparable professional credentials.
• Experience coordinating both pre-award and post-award sponsored programs administration functions.
• Experience supporting significant growth in externally funded research programs.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic guidance and coordination for sponsored programs administration operations and related research administration initiatives.
• Advise the VCRED and other university leaders on matters involving sponsored programs administration, research operations, financial stewardship, compliance, and institutional risk.
• Develop and implement strategies that support the University’s goals for research growth, competitiveness, and operational excellence.
• Promote a culture that balances regulatory compliance, accountability, efficiency, and exceptional customer service.
• Champion organizational change initiatives designed to improve research administration processes and faculty support.
• Coordinate post-award administration functions, including award acceptance, account establishment, financial monitoring, invoicing, reporting, effort certification, cost sharing, subrecipient monitoring, award modifications, and closeout activities.
• Ensure compliance with federal regulations, sponsor requirements, state laws, and institutional policies governing sponsored projects.
• Maintain effective internal controls designed to safeguard sponsored funds and mitigate institutional risk.
• Coordinate institutional responses to sponsor reviews, audits, monitoring activities, and compliance assessments related to sponsored programs administration.
• Monitor emerging regulatory developments and help implement appropriate operational and policy responses.
• Foster strong coordination between pre-award and post-award functions to ensure seamless support throughout the sponsored project lifecycle.
• Collaborate with academic units, principal investigators, research centers, and administrative offices to improve the effectiveness and consistency of research administration services.
• Partner closely with Contracts and Grants Accounting, Finance, Research Compliance, Internal Audit, Procurement Services, Information Technology, and the Office of General Counsel.
• Serve as a senior institutional resource on sponsored programs administration matters and support strategic decision-making involving sponsored activities.
• Collaborate closely with Procurement Services to develop and maintain research-focused procurement practices that support sponsor requirements, scientific acquisition needs, and institutional compliance obligations.
• Serve as a key research administration liaison to Procurement Services on matters involving sponsored projects, federally funded acquisitions, scientific equipment, specialized research materials, sole-source justifications, and subawards.
• Identify opportunities to streamline procurement processes affecting sponsored projects while maintaining compliance with Uniform Guidance, state purchasing requirements, and university policies.
• Promote effective communication and coordination between researchers, research administrators, and procurement professionals.
• Provide leadership for systems and technologies supporting sponsored programs administration and related research operations.
• Utilize data analytics and performance metrics to assess effectiveness, identify trends, improve service delivery, and support institutional decision-making.
• Champion modernization initiatives, including workflow improvements, process automation, and implementation of best practices.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators for sponsored programs administration operations.
• Provide leadership, guidance, mentoring, and professional development for staff within sponsored programs administration functions.
• Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing professionals.
• Establish clear performance expectations, accountability measures, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment that supports innovation, professional growth, and operational excellence.

Benefits

• Equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons.
• Compliance with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity.
• Does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship, age, disability, military status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior