Job description

The Director will lead the Office of Research Administration, overseeing a six-person team, under the direction of the Dean of Graduate School & Research. A successful Director, with their team, will collaborate with as well as provide support and leadership to a wide range of faculty, staff, and offices. Western highly values sponsored research in supporting its mission, and seeks increased extramural research and sponsored project funding.

The Office of Research Administration assists with grant proposal development; provides advanced institutional review, negotiation, and preliminary approval of proposals; protects the interests of the University through review, negotiation, and approval of the terms and conditions of external awards; ensures compliance of proposals and awards with sponsor, university policies, and unsponsored research compliance; issues subcontracts; maintains accurate records and provides reports on proposals and awards; and helps manage and support the post-award process.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and implement strategies to increase extramural research and sponsored project funding.
• Ensure University compliance with Federal, state, foundation, and other funding requirements.
• Disseminate and communicate regulatory directives and updates to pre-award, post-award, principal investigators and university administration.
• Proactively assist faculty and staff with proposal preparation, budget development, reporting requirements, and regulation compliance
• Ensure cohesive communication of pre-award, compliance, and post-award throughout project lifecycles
• Support staff professional development activities
• Develop and maintain contacts and act as a liaison with Federal, state, foundation, and other sponsors.
• Oversee Federal and University research compliance requirements concerning human subjects (IRB), rDNA(IBC) animals (IACUC); conflict of interest, export controls, etc.
• Inform the Dean of the Graduate School and Research on monthly indirect cost returns as they are distributed to university constituents
• Oversee the UNC system mandated electronic proposal and award submission process utilizing InfoEd.
• Partner with the Controller’s Office, External Relations’ Director, other external engagement offices, and Human Resources in addressing grant issues.
• Plan, initiate, and coordinate faculty and staff training designed to stimulate proposals and increase their success rates.
• Provide outreach and professional development activities for faculty and staff creating greater community awareness and understanding of grant-seeking processes and opportunities.
• Serve as a member of the Research Council and an ex-officio member on faculty and student research related advisory and award committees.

Minimum Qualifications
A successful candidate should have a minimum of a Master’s degree with a broad understanding of the regulations governing proposals and award compliance of grants and contracts. Working knowledge of mandated regulations governing grants by federal, state, and private agencies required. Excellent supervisory, interpersonal, writing, editing, and public speaking skills are required. The candidate must have experience or familiarity working with faculty and staff.

Preferred Qualifications
Certified Research Administrator (CRA) is desirable, or ability to obtain certification within one year of employment. Demonstrated experience in developing and directing all aspects of training workshops in the areas of proposals, grants, and contracts. Demonstrated experience in policy development, management, decision making, and compliance issues relevant to proposals, grants, and contracts. Knowledge of electronic research administration systems, such as InfoEd, is preferred.

Position Type Permanent Full-Time
Number of Hours Per Week 40
Number of Months Per Year 12
Posting Text

Open Date 02/21/2023
Close Date
Open Until Filled Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants
To be considered, you must apply online. Hard copy materials will not be accepted. Review of applications will in April 2023 and will continue until a candidate has been successfully identified.

Applicants must attach 1) a cover letter addressing qualifications as related to the job requirements, 2) a current resume, 3) a list of four recent (within past five years) professional references (which include name, title, email, phone, and relationship), and 4) unofficial copy of higher education transcripts; official transcripts required at time of hire. For additional information, please visit the WCU and Office of Research Administration websites.

Questions may be directed to Anne Aldrich in the Provost’s Office at 828-227-3012 or aaldrich@wcu.edu

Background/E-Verify
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.

Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

Credential Verification
All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

AA/EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; religion; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Additionally, the University promotes the realization of equal employment opportunity for minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans through its affirmative action program.
Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

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