Research Administration Manager/S

MSU Internal Job Postings Details•East Lansing, MI

23h•Remote

About The Position

Position Summary LEADERSHIP Manages the research support personnel (the work of Research Administrator I, II, III positions). Subject to change as directed by departmental need. Manages the research support personnel regarding regulatory submission requirements, informing and guiding with respect to submission components and process. Sets clear expectations, delegating responsibilities, and fosters accountability. Conducts performance evaluations, provides constructive feedback, and implements improvement plans when necessary. Oversees workload distribution and prioritization, ensuring resources are aligned with departmental goals and deadlines. Resolves complex personnel issues independently, applying sound judgment and institutional policy to maintain compliance and fairness. Serves as a key liaison between staff and departmental leadership, communicating strategic priorities and operational changes effectively. May perform general duties and responsibilities of research support personnel as needed. Proactively identifies operational challenges and opportunities for improvement, taking initiative to recommend and implement creative, flexible solutions that enhance workflow efficiency. Develops and refines procedures to foster a culture of continuous improvement, proposes innovative approaches, and collaborates with colleagues to ensure that office operations remain responsive, effective, and aligned with NatSci goals. Ensures adherence to MSU policies, procedures, and regulations relevant to the responsibilities of the role. RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION SERVICES Develops and manages the processes for proposal development, budget review, justification, grant administration, monitoring, conflict of interest, billing and financial management of moderately complex research projects in accordance with applicable federal, state, local, and university policies, procedures, and regulations. Manages coordination with other university staff and departments to assist researchers in the most effective way to achieve a quality proposal; coordinates a timely proposal submission process, ensuring appropriate approvals. Manages co-investigator agreements, and sub-recipient coordination. Serves as liaison between sponsor/funding source and PI, facilitating required project monitoring and creation and submission of reports as necessary. Oversees and monitors the provision and use of other supportive processes, clinical research billing assistance, coordination and communication with involved regulatory and administrative departments/units. Creates, manages and oversees research metrics reports. Manages the oversight of application submissions with delegated signature authority for unit level proposal approval and service center agreements, while making sure compliance with regulations are adequate. Identifies and resolves problems/inconsistencies in research processes; notifies the administrators/project personnel and takes more complex issues to appropriate individuals with recommended solutions. Responsible for project auditing, including inspection of study files, project source documents, and project data for verification of consistency and accuracy and compliance with various research regulations; ensures the appropriate persons are informed and actions taken to resolve issues and meet regulations. Performs other duties, as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification. Demonstratable Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Ability to demonstrate the competencies required by the MSU Classification - Research Administration Manager (APSA 14). Dedicated steward and servant leader committed to fostering a culture of growth, support, and service. Skilled in aligning actions with the College’s mission, vision, and values, while empowering individuals and teams to thrive. Demonstrates strong leadership in managing people and projects through critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and strategic insight. Understanding of regulation, privacy, intellectual property, and responsible conduct of research. Expertise in submission and administration of grants and contracts, gifts, and/or other funding efforts. Thorough understanding and ability to strictly comply with policies and procedures of MSU, the College, and relevant administrative offices. Business acumen and analytical skills. Ability to synthesize and present information/data to facilitate effective decision-making. Demonstrated commitment to working with diverse populations and a commitment to professionalism with a customer service focus. Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with various internal and external stakeholders at all levels with diplomacy. Ability to demonstrate self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and strong social skills in daily interactions. Skill, ability to organize, analyze, and plan strategically, demonstrating commitment to continuous improvement. Capacity to manage complex operational priorities, including developing strategies that integrate plans and objectives of several programs, services, and activities across units. Ability to uphold and promote the College’s core values and strategic priorities through consistent and principled actions.

Requirements

Ability to demonstrate the competencies required by the MSU Classification - Research Administration Manager (APSA 14).
Dedicated steward and servant leader committed to fostering a culture of growth, support, and service.
Skilled in aligning actions with the College’s mission, vision, and values, while empowering individuals and teams to thrive.
Demonstrates strong leadership in managing people and projects through critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and strategic insight.
Understanding of regulation, privacy, intellectual property, and responsible conduct of research.
Expertise in submission and administration of grants and contracts, gifts, and/or other funding efforts.
Thorough understanding and ability to strictly comply with policies and procedures of MSU, the College, and relevant administrative offices.
Business acumen and analytical skills.
Ability to synthesize and present information/data to facilitate effective decision-making.
Demonstrated commitment to working with diverse populations and a commitment to professionalism with a customer service focus.
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with various internal and external stakeholders at all levels with diplomacy.
Ability to demonstrate self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and strong social skills in daily interactions.
Skill, ability to organize, analyze, and plan strategically, demonstrating commitment to continuous improvement.
Capacity to manage complex operational priorities, including developing strategies that integrate plans and objectives of several programs, services, and activities across units.
Ability to uphold and promote the College’s core values and strategic priorities through consistent and principled actions.
Knowledge normally acquired with a four-year college degree program (Master’s desired) in Finance, Business Administration or a research-related field with 5 to 8 years of related and progressively more expansive work experience in a research related field or business setting or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Individual must have experience with word processing, spreadsheet and database software.
Requires completion of Essentials of Research Administration (MSU certificate) or equivalent education/certification.
May require the National Certification as a Certified Research Administrator, Certified Pre-Award Research Administrator, or Certified Financial Research Administrator, depending on position requirements within one year of hire.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Business administration, Finance, or a research-related field.
Eight years or more of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in research administration including the area of pre or post award processes, or related field such as regulatory administration.
Experience supervising unionized personnel.
Desired certifications from National Council of University Administration or the Society of Research Administration include Departmental Research Administration, Pre-award Research Administration, Post-award Research Administration, Research Integrity, Compliance, Financial Management, Research Law or Research Development.

Responsibilities

Manages the research support personnel regarding regulatory submission requirements, informing and guiding with respect to submission components and process.
Sets clear expectations, delegating responsibilities, and fosters accountability.
Conducts performance evaluations, provides constructive feedback, and implements improvement plans when necessary.
Oversees workload distribution and prioritization, ensuring resources are aligned with departmental goals and deadlines.
Resolves complex personnel issues independently, applying sound judgment and institutional policy to maintain compliance and fairness.
Serves as a key liaison between staff and departmental leadership, communicating strategic priorities and operational changes effectively.
Proactively identifies operational challenges and opportunities for improvement, taking initiative to recommend and implement creative, flexible solutions that enhance workflow efficiency.
Develops and refines procedures to foster a culture of continuous improvement, proposes innovative approaches, and collaborates with colleagues to ensure that office operations remain responsive, effective, and aligned with NatSci goals.
Ensures adherence to MSU policies, procedures, and regulations relevant to the responsibilities of the role.
Develops and manages the processes for proposal development, budget review, justification, grant administration, monitoring, conflict of interest, billing and financial management of moderately complex research projects in accordance with applicable federal, state, local, and university policies, procedures, and regulations.
Manages coordination with other university staff and departments to assist researchers in the most effective way to achieve a quality proposal; coordinates a timely proposal submission process, ensuring appropriate approvals.
Manages co-investigator agreements, and sub-recipient coordination.
Serves as liaison between sponsor/funding source and PI, facilitating required project monitoring and creation and submission of reports as necessary.
Oversees and monitors the provision and use of other supportive processes, clinical research billing assistance, coordination and communication with involved regulatory and administrative departments/units.
Creates, manages and oversees research metrics reports.
Manages the oversight of application submissions with delegated signature authority for unit level proposal approval and service center agreements, while making sure compliance with regulations are adequate.
Identifies and resolves problems/inconsistencies in research processes; notifies the administrators/project personnel and takes more complex issues to appropriate individuals with recommended solutions.
Responsible for project auditing, including inspection of study files, project source documents, and project data for verification of consistency and accuracy and compliance with various research regulations; ensures the appropriate persons are informed and actions taken to resolve issues and meet regulations.
Performs other duties, as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification.