Director of Research Administration

Director of Research Administration

 

About the Department:

 

The College of Sciences (COS) brings together the mathematical, physical, and biological sciences in a research-intensive environment that simultaneously values excellence in teaching and strong community engagement. The COS Research Office is the nucleus of research administration and support, providing a full suite of pre- and post-award services to enhance the research, teaching, administrative, and outreach functions of the College. Key office responsibilities include proposal development and submission, portfolio management, effort reporting, and responding to departmental and faculty post-award and other research administration needs. While working in this unit, you will be expected to foster a supportive and welcoming environment.

 

NC State promotes an integrated approach to problem solving that transforms lives and provides leadership for social, economic, and technological development across North Carolina and around the world. NC State's land grant mission of teaching, research and service is dedicated to the service of North Carolina and its people. Applicants are encouraged to review the institution's mission, vision and strategic plan, and consider how their background, interest and experience would enable them to support the university.

 

Essential Job Duties:

 

As Director of Research Administration in the College of Sciences (COS), you'll play a central role in supporting and shaping the college's research enterprise. Reporting to the Associate Dean of Research Administration-with a dotted line to the Assistant Dean of Business Operations-you'll oversee pre- and post-award administration across six academic departments, nine centers, and other college programs. If you're energized by building strong teams, streamlining processes, and ensuring compliance in a dynamic research environment, this is a great opportunity to make a campus-wide impact.

 

Core Responsibilities are in the following four key areas of oversight:

 

Leadership & Strategic Oversight

 

• Lead and supervise a team of 19, including four direct reports, across all pre- and post-award functions. (The four direct reports include an Assistant Director of Pre-Award and an Assistant Director of Post-Award.)
• Serve as the principal contact for all research administration issues in the college.
• Represent the college in university-wide research administration initiatives, including serving on the RSC Executive Committee.
• Collaborate with other NCSU colleges, university offices (SPARCS, Contracts and Grants), and external sponsors to streamline processes and improve service.
• Foster a supportive, high-performing culture through mentoring, coaching, and professional development.

 

Pre-Award Administration

 

• Oversee proposal development and submission processes to ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely delivery.
• Finalize, sign, and approve all memorandums of agreement (MOAs) and proposals submitted through the college.
• Exercise delegated authority to submit proposals to FDP sponsors on behalf of the University.
• Ensure proposals meet agency, university, federal, and state guidelines.

 

Post-Award Administration

 

• Manage the setup and monitoring of new awards, including college-level approvals and budget justifications.
• Oversee tracking and reporting for cost share, effort certification, conflict of interest, and Responsible Conduct of Research compliance.
• Ensure accurate and timely project closeouts across all sponsored research activities.

 

Training & Compliance

 

• Develop and deliver training on compliance, policy interpretation, cost accounting standards, and electronic research systems.
• Lead regular college-wide research staff meetings and identify ongoing training and career development opportunities.
• Stay current on federal, state, sponsor, and university regulations and participate in continuing education.
• Provide guidance and solutions on complex compliance issues, using sound judgment and discretion.

 

If you are a collaborative, solutions-oriented leader with deep research administration knowledge, strong judgment, adaptability, and a forward-thinking mindset-someone who builds trust, communicates effectively, and is committed to continuous learning and team development, we encourage you to apply.

You Belong Here! At NC State, our goal is for all employees to reach their fullest potential at work. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our https://news.hr.ncsu.edu/you-belong-here/ (https://news.hr.ncsu.edu/you-belong-here/) and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

 

Minimum Education and Experience:

 

Other Required Qualifications:

 

• Ability to cultivate and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, other university offices, College and departmental staff, and contract agencies.
• Experience managing office workflow to maximize efficiency, and a service-oriented mindset.
• Knowledge of accounting and auditing principles and practices, and the ability to explain and apply these practices.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills, as well as demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat, and ability to rapidly adapt to new technology.
• Demonstrated ability to work with various groups of stakeholders to create a productive work environment.
• Prior team-leadership experience, strong leadership abilities, and the ability to work in a high-volume, fast-paced office are a must.
• Adaptability and the ability to educate others on intricate tasks involving compliance, grant writing, federal research oversight, NC State research policies, and college-specific procedures.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

 

• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage other managers effectively.
• Certified Research Administrator or working towards certification preferred.
• Previous experience in proposal development is highly desirable.
• Extensive knowledge of research policies, procedures, and management systems associated with a higher education environment is preferred.

 

Posting Number: PG194084EP

 

Position Number: 00105836

 

Anticipated Hiring Range: Commensurate with Education and Experience

 

To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/6221867

 

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