Senior Research Administrator
The Northwestern Cancer Prevention Consortium (NCPC) of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center works with institutions across the country and in Canada to conduct clinical trials in high priority areas in cancer prevention. The Senior Research Administrator will serve as the chief contracting and financial officer for the NCPC. This position performs all research administrative duties in support of an NIH / NCI UG1, an NIH federal contract and allied awards. In addition to the maintenance of Northwestern's awards (pre- and post-award), this position is responsible for maintaining the complex framework of affiliate sites that participate in the NCPC Cancer Prevention Clinical Trial Network.
Complexity :
- Typically administers multiple research projects such as :
- Complex multi-component grants and / or contracts
- NIH U-approximately $750K+ / yr. over multiple yrs.
- NIH P-approximately $750K+ / yr. over multiple yrs.
- Allied awards from professional societies
- Fixed-price federal contracts
- Extensive network of subawards / subcontractors
Pre-Award :
Manages pre-award administration of complex / multi core grant applications and / or contractsCoordinates proposal submissionCompletes budget and justification preparationCompletes sponsor and university proposal formsCoordinates sub-recipients, facilities, administrative costs, space, and co-investigator agreementsCreatively and proactively evaluates and resolves problems and makes decisionsPost-Award :
Coordinates post-award activities including monthly reconciliation of accounts within their portfolioMonitors execution of all financial transactions in research portfolioForecasts and provides information for reports on financial status of projectsInitiates necessary financial transactions such as corrections and purchase ordersManages day-to-day financial functionsVerifies that protocols are linked to NUFS chartstrings; labor distribution assignmentsCompletes expenditure reviewsIdentifies program income issuesProposes resolutions to overdraftsPrepares interim and final financial reportsFacilitates account close out activitiesParticipates in efforts to improve research administration including serving on university committees related to research administrationFinancial :
Oversees sponsored project portfolio associated with their area of oversightReviews transactions and resolve issues that requires a more complex level of financial understanding such as cost-sharing and / or effort reporting knowledgeProvides information to senior management that is used for department budgeting purposesParticipates in center-wide financial activities such as annual fiscal year budget planningNetwork Specific :
Participates in weekly internal coordination meetingsServes as the point of contact and point of resolution for subcontracting issues with the consortium's affiliate networkAttends sponsor-mandated meetings (e.g., ISCORE) as needed or requested by the sponsorAttends and participates in annual sponsor site visitCompliance :
Ensures compliance with all appropriate NU policies and practices; local, state, federal, agency and sponsor rules, regulations and requirements regarding grant and / or contract administration.Recommends changes to improve programs, policy and / or practiceResolves compliance problems and issues working in conjunction with facultyMiscellaneous :
Performs other duties as assigned.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.3 years research administration experience or relevant combination of experience in administration and fundamental research.Minimum Competencies : (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)
Organization, time management, detail orientedMulti-tasking, communicationSelf-starter, diplomaticCustomer service focusedProvide leadership by cooperatively anticipating, coordinating, strategizingPreferred Qualifications : (Education and experience)
3+ years experience in pre- and post-award with large / complex grant mechanisms (i.e., NIH research Centers [P20, P30, P50] or cooperative agreements [U54])Experience with clinical trials, preferably federally sponsored clinical trialsPreferred Competencies : (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)
Excellent written and oral communicationGrant budget preparationClinical trial budget preparationExperience reading and translating clinical trial protocols