Director of Sponsored Research

Main Campus - Boston, MA
R05426

Located in the heart of Boston, Simmons University embodies the benefits of a small university in the nation's best college town. Simmons has a cherished history of visionary thinking and social responsibility and a mission that has remained constant for over a century: to provide transformative learning that links passion with lifelong purpose.

Today, Simmons serves nearly 2,000 students in a women-centered undergraduate program and nearly 5,000 students in coeducational graduate programs. Simmons recently embarked on an academic redesign to create four interdisciplinary colleges. Given the richness and complexity of its offerings, Simmons obtained formal approval and became Simmons University effective September 1, 2018.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Office of the Provost, the Director of Sponsored Research will provide University-wide strategic leadership and an inclusive operational oversight, supporting faculty research, scholarship, and creative works. The Director will work closely with faculty, Department Chairs, Deans, and the Provost to develop a comprehensive understanding of faculty scholarly and creative agendas; identifying sources of sponsored research; and supporting faculty development in the preparation of persuasive and compelling proposals.

The Director will have the opportunity to create, staff, lead, and develop a functionally integrated operating team - positions to be created will likely include Associate Director of Sponsored Research and Grants Operations Specialist.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Provide guidance and support for faculty in all aspects of development for both internal and external grants and programs;
• Provide leadership in review and negotiation of institutional agreements governing sponsored projects;
• Develop, manage and oversee all aspects of the pre-award and post-award, including but not limited to, administration of grants and contracts including proposal review procedures, approval and submissions compliance, budget preparation and justification, supporting documentation and required institutional information, award set-up, financial monitoring, analysis and reporting, and financial transaction approvals;
• Analyze and interpret policies and procedures relevant to research administration and expertise, ensuring compliance with regulatory policies governing research involving human subjects and conflicts of interest; including overseeing Simmons University's Institutional Review Board (IRB);
• Collaborate with the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations and the Finance Office, steward grant-makers, and help promote Simmons University research outcomes to the public;
• Monitor developments and trends in federal and state agencies as they impact funding regulations, polices or guidelines.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university required, master's degree preferred;
• Minimum of five years of higher education professional experience in sponsored programs in an academic setting involving both federal and non-federal funding agencies;
• Familiarity and applied experience with all types of award mechanisms, including but not limited to, grant writing, contracts, sub-contracts, cooperative agreements and compliance reporting;
• Demonstrated pre- and post-award management experience, including proposal development and completion of budget forms;
• Extensive experience with the operational and financial management of sponsored research grants;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Strong quantitative, analytic and problem solving skills to assess all aspects of a situation and make appropriate and timely decisions;
• Supervisory experience required; experience building and/or developing an effective and efficient sponsored research administrative services team is a plus;
• Knowledge and understanding of regulations regarding research integrity and financial conflict of interest; and experience overseeing an internal IRB process;
• Demonstrated ability in cultivating collaborative relationships with a diverse campus community, including faculty, administrators, other campus partners as well as external constituents.

Instructions to Applicants: Please submit a resume and cover letter in the Resume/CV section of your application.

Simmons is committed to inclusive excellence in all aspects of an individual's community experience. As a University committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, Simmons welcomes and encourages applications from all under-represented groups. Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty, staff, student body and curriculum.



To apply, visit https://simmons.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Simmons-Careers/job/Main-Campus---Boston-MA/Director-of-Sponsored-Research_R05426

Located in Bostons historic Fenway area, Simmons College is a small, private, non-sectarian College which has educated students for enriching careers and purposeful lives since 1899. Working at Simmons means joining a collaborative, diverse and mission-driven community of educators and professionals.

We prepare students to be leaders for themselves, their communities and the world. Our faculty and staff members lead by example - sharing a commitment to excellence and putting the students first.