Career Center

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

The University of Washington’s Information School is seeking a Director of Research Administration responsible for efficient operation of pre- and post-award grant and contracts support and management. The Research Administrative unit provides support for the full lifecycle of sponsored research for faculty and researchers in the Information School, who conduct research across multiple disciplines associated with the field of information science. The Director leads the maintenance and continual improvement of processes in the grant and contract lifecycle, to streamline and support proposal preparation and submission, project implementation, and successful award execution. They ensure that sponsored research awards are received, budgeted, and expended in compliance with federal, state, funding agency, and University of Washington regulations, policies and procedures. The Director has responsibility for the design, development, and management of internal Research Administration policies and procedures related to grant support and management and those developed in coordination with other units within the Information School. They also manage an advanced portfolio of grants and contracts, working in collaboration with principal investigators, research centers, partners, sponsors, and University research support offices. The Director advises, collaborates with, and assists the Associate Dean on matters pertaining to research administration and capacity building and has delegated decision-making authority for grant related activities.

There is an expectation that the person in this position will step up where they see an opportunity to apply their special expertise or talents, speak up when they identify opportunities or concerns, and lead by taking actions that exemplify the Information School’s core values. This leadership may be expressed in diverse ways, reflecting the variety of styles and cultures that are represented by Information School faculty and staff.

What You’ll Be Doing

Research Administration Leadership:
Oversees policy, procedures, operations, and strategic initiatives related to research administration.
•Provide leadership, management, and oversight of pre- and post-award grant and contract activities.
•Serve as contact for sponsors and central administrative offices on the substance of funded work and contractual arrangements.
•Develop, implement, and administer internal grant related policies and procedures, including financial management, record keeping, monitoring, and reporting.
•Monitor policies, processes, and researcher relations for consistent application and to inform continual improvement.
•Lead analysis and reporting on research activities, research impact, and investment of indirect cost recovery by PIs and ORUs.
•Assist in the design, preparation, and interpretation of analytical reports on School-wide research funding and expenditure trends and projections for iSchool administrative leaders (primarily Assistant Dean for Planning & Administration, Associate Dean for Research, and Dean).

Grants Team Management:
•Develop and maintain clear and transparent systems for developing, meeting, and enforcing proposal submission requirements and post award processes.
•Support Grant Specialists in coordination with counterparts within other units or institutions, to ensure compliance with funder requirements and all internal and external requirements, standards, and deadlines.
•Monitor workload distribution and redistribute tasks, as appropriate.
•Provide training and consultation on application of pre- and post-award processes and the grant management lifecycle.
•Advise on best practices in research administration and provide professional development for team members as needed.

Pre-award proposal analysis and support:
Manage an advanced portfolio of research centers and high productivity researchers. Prepare competitive and non-competitive grant and contract proposals for submission to sponsoring agencies. Provide analysis of proposals prior to submission to provide the best possible opportunity of successful submissions. Responsibilities and oversight include:
•Manage the preparation of complex proposal budgets, including cost sharing documentation and related narrative portions of proposals.
•Establish timelines for and administer preparation and submission of grant and contract proposals in accordance with internal, UW and sponsor deadlines.
•Advise researchers regarding sponsor guidelines, University and funding agency policies and procedures.
•Assist and/or act on behalf of principal investigators in negotiating research grants, contracts, and subcontracts.
•Act on behalf of investigators in communicating with research partners, sponsors, and UW offices of research administration.

Post-Award financial analysis and support:
Ensure compliance with budget and fiscal policies, procedures, monitoring, reconciliation, and reporting for an advanced portfolio of research grants and contracts. Responsibilities and oversight include:
•Design and develop complex budget and expenditure monitoring and management reports, including compliance and audit reporting.
•Provide financial planning and award administration advice and assistance to principal investigators and other researchers, including supporting complex budget management, expenditure transactions, and preparation of fiscal documents for external purposes.
•Initiate and monitor sub-budget allocations and sub-contract accounts; coordinate with other UW departments and external partners. 
•Review expenditures for compliance and correct/adjust transactions as needed. Ensure proper and timely communication to the iSchool Human Resources staff regarding payroll additions or changes for research project personnel as indicated by budget plans approved by principal investigators. 
•Respond to compliance and other fiscal information requests from iSchool management, UW central administration, and other external partners, including reviewing and approving eGC1’s, business elements of proposals, no cost extensions, travel and expense reimbursements.

Other:
•Assume responsibility for high-level research administration decision-making and approval processes when the Associate Dean for Research is absent or unavailable.
•Represent the Research Services unit at ad hoc iSchool and University meetings related to the conduct of research.
•Coordinate and prepare documents for audits or other special external reviews.
•Attend monthly MRAM and other research administrative-related campus presentations, workshops, and trainings. Participate in professional development opportunities.
•Attend meetings and participate in committee and iSchool events and activities as appropriate.
•Special projects as assigned.
•Perform other related duties as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
•Bachelor’s degree in Business, Information Science, Communications, Public Administration, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
•Minimum of three years in pre and post award grants and contracts management.
•Demonstrated knowledge of academic research processes in a diverse and competitive funding environment.
•Ability to coordinate resources and delegate responsibilities to meet deadlines.
•Ability to understand and interpret complex academic material from relevant disciplines.
•Demonstrated ability to write in a clear, concise, and cogent manner.
•Excellent organizational and record keeping skills.
•Proficient with complex budget development, analysis and design of reporting tools.
•Experience using databases running queries and reports.
•Strong critical thinking.
•Demonstrated ability to function independently and proactively while exercising skill and informed professional judgment
•The ability to develop positive relationships with colleagues and external constituents.
•Strong time management and prioritization skills, with the ability to effectively manage multiple and competing demands.
•Demonstrated success in working with diverse populations.

Desired Qualifications
•Master’s in Information Science, Communications, Public Administration, or related field.
•Understanding of UW fiscal policies and procedures and grant and contract management policies and practices.
•Experiences with UW Systems particularly SAGE, eGC1, and MyFD.
•Experience with federal grants and contracts policies and procedures.
•Working knowledge of information science and related fields.
•Experience with project management.
•Experience interpreting, explaining, and helping individuals comply with complex policies.
•Knowledge of research policies and procedures, including those of the University of Washington Human Subjects Division and the federal Office for Human Research Protections.

What’s in it for you
•Full benefits, including medical and dental insurance and retirement plan.
•Paid vacation and sick leave, as well as 11 paid holidays a year and one personal day.
•Fully subsidized transit pass.
•Work for an exciting, cutting-edge school within the University of Washington.

Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.