Northwestern University Hiring for Manager, Research Administration at Evanston, IL  Full Time

Department: WCAS Chemistry
Salary/Grade: EXS/10

Job Summary:

The Manager of Research Administration for the Department of Chemistry oversees a team of research administrators that support the department’s expansive research program. The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of research administration, excellent leadership skills, and a track record of developing and implementing efficient processes.

This is a full-time position that offers a hybrid work schedule, with some remote work possible each week.

Specific Responsibilities:

Pre-Award

• Provides creative, strategic leadership in pre-award administration of research grants &/or contracts, expertly balancing customer service and compliance needs.
• Establishes procedures at the large unit level related to pre-award administration.
• Coordinates federal contract proposals, international proposals, and proposals with difficult/troublesome terms and large sponsored agreements with industry partners.

Post-Award

• Provides expertise regarding post-award research administration.
• Ensures that proposed projects meet goals of dept. and that necessary resources are available.
• Manages and follows through on high-risk situations.
• Coordinates or oversees application completion and detailed review & submission.
• Interprets sponsor guidelines.
• Creates procedures regarding day-to-day administrative & financial functions.
• Resolves issues with collaborators &/or other involved parties.
• Establishes procedures at the large unit level related to post-award administration.

Oversight

• Uses metrics to monitor post-award performance.
• Recommends & facilitates procedural changes in grant &/or contract administration.
• Recommends policy to enhance research administration.
• Creates, implements & oversees programs, policies and practices designed to ensure compliance with all appropriate NU policies and practices as well as local, state, federal, agency & sponsor rules, regulations & requirements regarding grant &/or contract administration.
• Ensures resolution of all compliance problems & issues, including those involving research safety, animal subjects, human subjects and conflict of interest.

Financial Management

• Ensures that budgets are created, proposed & administered in a fiscally responsible manner.
• Resolves complex issues such as determining appropriate & reasonable cost-sharing percentages on complex grants involving multiple locations; effort reporting problems; under- or over-spent grant budgets; recommends changes to eliminate deficit balances; overdrafts.
• Coordinates price negotiation, purchase, & ongoing maintenance support contracts of all major research equipment.
• Provides information to senior management that is used for department budgeting purposes.

Staff Management:

• Hires, evaluates, promotes, &/or counsel staff.
• Oversees training for all staff regarding research administration in unit.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• At least seven years research administration experience.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Organization, time management, detail oriented
• Multi-tasking, communication
• Self-starter, diplomatic, pro-active, manage stress
• Managing people

The target hiring range for this position is $85,339 – $120,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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