Director of Education, Outreach and Strategic Support, Office of Sponsored Projects

The University of Texas at Austin•Austin, TX

About The Position

The Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) serves as the coordinating office for externally funded research and sponsored projects at The University of Texas at Austin. The mission of OSP is to assist faculty and professional research staff in their efforts to secure and ensure proper stewardship of external funding. We do that by assisting research faculty and staff with the following: proposal review, authorization, and submission; award negotiations and acceptance; account management; close-out, reports, audits, collection; professional development and education; export control, and research compliance. UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes: 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage Retirement contributions Paid vacation and sick time Paid holidays Please visit our Human Resources (HR) website to learn more about the total benefits offered. Purpose Oversee the Research Administration Education and Outreach Team focused on delivering education, outreach, and communications support to the UT Austin campus. Support the AVP for Research Administration and collaborate with the Research Administration leadership team across the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) and Research Information Technology (RIT), in leading strategic outreach initiatives to provide best-in-class central research administration support to the campus community.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, with at least 3 years in a leadership, supervisory or management role.
Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and private sponsor regulations and policies (e.g., Uniform Guidance, NSF PAPPG, NIH Grants Policy Statement).
Demonstrated leadership skills, including staff supervision, training, and team development.
Experience developing educational or training programs.
Experience developing and executing communications strategies.
Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
Advanced proficiency with research administration systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and sponsor submission portals.
Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in business administration, public administration, higher education, or a related field.
Certification in research administration (CRA, CPRA, CFRA, or equivalent) from the Research Administrators Certification Council (RACC).
Strong record of professional development, conference participation, and knowledge of emerging trends in research administration.
Ability to deliver high quality work in a high-volume, multiple-project environment.

Responsibilities

Develop strategies to support the mission of Research Administration outreach.
Execute timely and effective communication of updated processes, procedures and policy changes with internal and external stakeholders.
Closely monitor the sponsored research funding landscape for policy and regulatory changes and proactively develop response plans and communications to relevant university stakeholders.
Support other Research Administration communications needs, including updating research administration website content and drafting communications around research information system changes.
Closely collaborate with OVPR Director of Communications and staff in the Office of Research Support and Compliance.
Develop and execute a strategic plan for education and training for research administration at UT Austin.
Oversee and implement innovative learning strategies that help to develop and sustain a viable workforce and enhance research administration expertise for the UT Austin research community.
Stay informed of new and evolving regulations impacting research administration at UT Austin and quickly develop training to incorporate these changes.
Closely collaborate with the Office of Research Support and Compliance on training topics that intersect sponsored research and research compliance.
Oversee the development, design, and delivery of training programs, courses and curriculum for specific internal and campus-wide research administration audiences.
Partner with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to create new and revised e-learning, online courses, instructional manuals, video tutorials, learning simulations, blended courses, etc.
Analyze and report training effectiveness using performance evaluations, course completions, surveys, etc.
Manage and provide direct supervision of professional staff responsible for education and outreach activities.
Hire and train (or oversee the training of) new team members.
Provide on-going coaching and mentoring to team members to ensure individuals and team are successful.
Effectively communicate policies/procedures and expectations to staff.
Provide general advice or guidance to team and assist with items complex in nature.
Support the AVP for Research Administration in leading strategic support initiatives related to providing best-in-class central research administration support to campus.
Serve as a key member of the Research Administration and Office of Sponsored Projects leadership team, fostering relationships with stakeholders across campus.
Generate and implement ideas to increase collaboration and communication between the Office of Sponsored Projects, Research IT and the campus research community.
Interact on a consistent basis with college, school and unit research administration leadership and Office of Sponsored Projects and Research IT leadership and staff.
Additional duties as assigned.
Participate in professional development and attend conferences to remain current with standard and overall UT Austin, local, state and federal guidelines, regulations and requirements as related to research administration.