Sponsored Programs Associate Manager

The Ohio State University • Columbus, OH

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Sponsored Programs Associate Manager will be responsible for supervising, training, and leading a team of current and new technical, administrative, and support staff. The individual in this position will also simultaneously provide administrative oversight for advanced workload assignments related to sponsored awards. The Sponsored Programs Associate Manager reports directly to the Sponsored Programs Associate Director. The supervisory job duties include the following: Meets regularly, either formally or informally, to address questions and to provide guidance to direct reports in the management of their workloads. Provides coaching, mentoring, and professional development and conducts performance reviews annually with their direct reports. Responsible for addressing personnel issues for direct reports in partnership with senior leadership. Works with Associate Director to initiate and participate in the hiring process for openings in their direct report team. Under the guidance of senior leadership, provides direction and leadership for staff. May assist Associate Directors with planning OGC staff meetings, establishing and/or participating in cross-unit teams to develop business processes and/or training materials as needed. May assist Associate Directors with the review and analysis of business processes. Provides direct oversight, review, and approval for direct reports work, including award and modification entries. The Sponsored Programs Associate Manager maintains expert knowledge and provides oversight in all aspects of research administration, including all areas of electronic research administration and in-depth knowledge of federal and non-federal sponsors. Possesses a thorough understanding of policy administration, compliance, and contract negotiations and communicates this knowledge with staff. The advanced workload job duties of this position include: Providing institutional authority, central administrative oversight, and content expertise to Principal Investigators (PIs) and department/college administrators on pre- and post-award management of externally funded grants and contracts from federal, non-federal, for-profit, non-profit, and local agency sponsors. Accurately enters new award and modification information, including administrative and financial requirements, into the University’s financial system. Communicates award information and project account number to Principal Investigators and administrative staff highlighting unique terms and/or requirements. Manages an advanced workload from an assigned constituency while successfully demonstrating independent decision-making. This position manages the preparation and submission of large, complex proposals to funding agencies, providing administrative and budgetary approvals and serving as institutional signature authority. Responsibilities also include independently negotiating complex agreements that protect the interests of The Ohio State University and its faculty, as well as providing institutional approval on contractual matters. Prepares, issues and negotiates sub-award agreements as necessary, serving as a resource for risk determination and appropriateness of terms. Requires an advanced understanding of sponsor and institutional regulations and must be able to interpret and communicate highly complex sponsor guidelines, University policy and procedures, state and federal law, and industry best practices to PIs and department/college administrators to ensure compliance with sponsor and University policies. Performs other tasks as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3 years of research administration experience in a university setting.
• Demonstrated proficiency with electronic research tools and systems.
• Demonstrated considerable experience successfully serving as a job coach, mentor, or supervisor to support staff.
• Ability to supervise the daily activities of technical, administrative, and support staff.
• Ability to administer research administration policies and execute research administration procedures.
• Good working knowledge of federal or private agency sponsors, contract/grant regulations, University policy.
• Manage multiple, shifting priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• Write and interpret award/contract language.
• Demonstrated experience developing budgets and/or analyzing financial data.
• Analyze complex situations and decide appropriate steps for resolution and follow-through.
• Provide guidance to less experienced staff in solving complex problems.
• Excellent time management, follow-through, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including experience with public speaking and training.
• Understand the importance and value in providing exceptional customer service to all stakeholders.
• Participation in professional development activities in the field of research administration.

Nice To Haves

• 5 years central research administration/sponsored programs and/or supervisory experience at The Ohio State University.
• Completion and retention of Certified Research Administrator (CRA).

Responsibilities

• Supervising, training, and leading a team of current and new technical, administrative, and support staff.
• Providing administrative oversight for advanced workload assignments related to sponsored awards.
• Meeting regularly with direct reports to address questions and provide guidance on workload management.
• Providing coaching, mentoring, and professional development, and conducting annual performance reviews.
• Addressing personnel issues for direct reports in partnership with senior leadership.
• Initiating and participating in the hiring process for openings in the direct report team.
• Providing direction and leadership for staff under the guidance of senior leadership.
• Assisting with planning staff meetings, establishing and/or participating in cross-unit teams to develop business processes and/or training materials.
• Reviewing and analyzing business processes.
• Providing direct oversight, review, and approval for direct reports' work, including award and modification entries.
• Maintaining expert knowledge and providing oversight in all aspects of research administration, including electronic research administration and federal and non-federal sponsors.
• Communicating knowledge of policy administration, compliance, and contract negotiations to staff.
• Providing institutional authority, central administrative oversight, and content expertise to PIs and administrators on pre- and post-award management.
• Accurately entering new award and modification information into the University’s financial system.
• Communicating award information and project account numbers to PIs and administrative staff.
• Managing an advanced workload from an assigned constituency with independent decision-making.
• Managing the preparation and submission of large, complex proposals to funding agencies.
• Providing administrative and budgetary approvals and serving as institutional signature authority.
• Independently negotiating complex agreements.
• Providing institutional approval on contractual matters.
• Preparing, issuing, and negotiating sub-award agreements.
• Interpreting and communicating complex sponsor guidelines, University policy, state and federal law, and industry best practices.
• Performing other tasks as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision coverage, with Ohio State paying a significant portion of the cost.
• Paid time off, including sick and vacation time and 11 holidays.
• State retirement plan or an alternative retirement plan, both with generous employer contributions.
• Flexible work schedule options.

What This Job Offers

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