University of Arkansas Hiring for Director of Post-Award, Office of Sponsored Programs at Fayetteville, AR  Full Time

NoJob Type:Regular

Day Shift (United States of America)

NoInstitution Name: University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nation’s top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance Arkansas and build a better world through education, research and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills, promoting an inclusive and diverse culture and climate, and nurturing creativity, discovery and the spread of new ideas and innovations.

The University of Arkansas campus is located in Fayetteville, a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nation’s strongest economies. Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.

As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions, you should review before applying for the opening.

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Department:Office of Sponsored Programs

Summary of Job Duties:Reporting to the Executive Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs, the Director of Post-Award, Office of Sponsored Programs leads the financial and non-financial post-award activities that support the priorities and strategic objectives of the Division of Research and Innovation. This position will engage and collaborate with relevant stakeholders including Deans, faculty and departments as well as other OSP leaders and will be responsible for the development and streamlining of business processes and system changes that improve the effectiveness, efficiency, education, and customer service of post-award grant management for the Office of Sponsored Programs. It is expected that this position will partner with other stakeholders within OSP and Departmental Business Offices to promote and drive change management to develop consistent and efficient business processes that are both standardized and service-focused. This is a newly created role at the University of Arkansas and the individual selected will have an opportunity to help design the job and its long-term impacts on the institution.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

* Provides leadership, planning and operational management/oversight for sponsored program post-award administration, including the Award Management and Research Accounting teams.
* Aggressively pursues process simplification and partners with other members of the Office of Sponsored Programs leadership team to improve systems leading to better, more standardized research administration practices at UARK.
* Directly oversees supervision of staff involved with the administration of grants and contracts, including 1 Associate Director – Research Accounting and 2 team leads for Award Management.
* Provides direction and oversight of professional staff with responsibility for personnel decisions including hiring, firing, evaluation, training and promotion; determines priorities and work assignments.
* Develops staff to support University priorities and to better establish Office of Sponsored Programs as a Center of Excellence in providing research administration guidance and services.
* Leads teams to facilitate research and provide proper stewardship of sponsored funds.
* Oversees post-award team compliance to meet uniform guidance, sponsor, and university requirements.
* Manages, plans, and evaluates unit operations, actions, and responsibilities to ensure compliance with all relevant federal and state laws and University and sponsor polices and regulations.
* Leads and serves as the point of contact with external and internal auditors and sponsors as needed.
* Develops, implements, evaluates and/or revises Post-Award policies and procedures, and collaborates with other directors and university offices in the development of research administration policies and procedures.
* Oversees sponsored program accounts receivable functions to include billing and reporting and facilitates collaboration with finance and cash management regarding the collections of sponsored billings.
* Establishes operating procedures to increase consistent practices and achieve a reputation of standardized, client-facing, excellent service to UARK investigators and staff.
* Promotes research administration education and training for post-award activities for UARK staff and investigators.
* Respond to questions and resolves problems related to sponsored program award administration, fiscal, and other grant management issues. Solves difficult and complex post-award problems.
* Signs financial reporting and other activities (as needed) as an authorized signatory of the University.
* Provides authoritative support in interpretation and implementation of sponsor requirements.
* Keeps abreast of current issues in research administration through participation in national associations on behalf of UARK, such as FDP, and professional associations such as NCURA, SRA, COGR, and effectively communicates expected changes or new requirements with University investigators and staff.
* Works in partnership with other Operational Units (i.e. Research Advancement, Office of Research Integrity and Compliance, Office of General Counsel, etc.) in support of the University’s mission to establish, maintain, and grow research partnerships with funding agencies/organizations (public and private) and businesses/corporations within the state and around the world.
* Perform other duties as assigned consistent with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the job.

Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related fieldfrom an accredited institution of higher education

• At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, preferable in a public or university environment with a proven record of advanced skill

• Knowledge of federal regulations, sponsor guidelines, and the Federal Office of Management and Budget Uniform Guidance (2 C.F.R. Part 200) as they relate to sponsored program activity

• Proven record of progressive leadership and coaching professional and other staff. Strong ability to recruit, mentor, supervise and evaluate staff at a variety of levels

• Ability to work across units to develop policies and procedures and to solicit feedback for the improvement of operations

• Ability to research and assist with the resolution of highly complex issues with legal, fiscal and ethical/compliance implications

• Demonstrated ability to develop and prioritize unit long and short-term plans, goals, and objectives, and independently implement and monitor them for achievement

• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a team and between teams as well as constituents external to the Office of Research and Innovation

• Considerable critical thinking, problem solving crisis management, and decision-making abilities

• Excellent computer skills that include a good working knowledge of University ERP financial systems (Workday) and research administration systems

Preferred Qualifications:

• MBA preferredfrom an accredited institution of higher education

• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) preferred

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) preferred

• Workday experience strongly preferred

• Direct work experience in a university or college setting

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Strong written and oral communication skills

• Project management skills and expertise in leading a team and supervising others

• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite, especially Excel and PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat

• Well-developed interpersonal and customer service skills

• Ability to solve complex issues

Additional Information:

Commensurate with education and experience

Cover Letter/Letter of Application, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), Resume

Proof of Veteran Status

Julia Menke, [email protected], HR Partner

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:Criminal Background Check, Financial Credit Check, Sex Offender Registry

The University of Arkansas is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas seeks to attract, develop and retain high quality faculty, staff and administrators that consistently display practices and behaviors to advance a culture that embeds inclusion, opportunity, educational excellence and unparalleled access for all.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, marital or parental status, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, or sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity). Federal law prohibits the University from discriminating on these bases. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University’s Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity:N/AFrequent Physical Activity:N/AOccasional Physical Activity:N/ABenefits Eligible:Yes
The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The university welcomes applications without regard to age, race, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, disability, religion, marital or parental status, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sexual orientation or gender identity. Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment. All applicant information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.