Assistant Vice President for Research Administration

The Assistant Vice President for Research Administration (AVPRA) at Colorado State University is a key leadership position within the institutions research administration structure.

The AVPRA will play a pivotal role in overseeing and managing the comprehensive research administration functions within the Office of the Vice President for Research to support the universitys research mission.

This position requires a dynamic and experienced individual capable of providing strategic direction, operational oversight, and fostering a culture of compliance, integrity, and excellence in research administration.

The Assistant Vice President for Research Administration reports directly to the Vice President for Research (VPR) and plays a lead role in accomplishing Colorado State Universitys Research and Discovery goals.

The AVPRA will work to support the research mission as set forth in the Office and University strategic plans. As a key member of the leadership team for the Office of the Vice President for Research, the AVPRA serves as an advocate and an advisor to the VPR for research administration activities.

The AVPRA will effectively interface in a leadership capacity on behalf of the VPR with central administration, colleges, and other agencies and is responsible for building strong partnerships and relationships within this broader community.

As an advisor to the VPR, the AVPRA will lead the implementation of strategic programs and the deployment of resources in a manner that builds the Universitys research portfolio and complies with federal and other applicable regulations.

The AVPRA serves as an officer of the University with delegated authority to execute agreements on behalf of the VPR and may hold State of Colorado Controllers signature sub-delegation.

This position oversees and directs the Office of Sponsored Programs, which is responsible for assisting CSU faculty and staff in their efforts to secure and fulfill externally funded sponsored projects.

The AVPRA ensures that the Office of Sponsored Programs is efficient and effective in its day-to-day operations, and that it operates with a strong service mindset and supports the research mission of the university and the researcher community.

To that end, the AVPRA is expected to provide strategic direction and implementation in Office of Sponsored Programs including policy, organizational, and culture management.

The AVPRA will provide innovative strategies and solutions in the recruitment and retention of a robust and highly skilled workforce and the effective organization of the Office of Sponsored Programs to meet the needs of a rapidly growing research enterprise, which has experienced nearly 70% growth in the past decade.

The position ensures a strong service orientation of the research administration functions and compliance with federal, state, and local laws, policies, procedures, Uniform Guidance, and sponsor-specific guidelines in the negotiation and execution of grant awards and contracts for funded sponsored projects.

This position provides effective leadership to remote, hybrid and in person pre- and post-award teams in sponsored programs, in addition to a wide range of internal and external constituencies, including faculty members, research staff, committee members, administrators, and federal agencies.

The AVPRA will also work collaboratively with key partners and outside stakeholders of the OVPR to further the development and implementation of research administration and services strategies, and to help ensure a culture of innovation and compliance in research administration campus wide.

The successful candidate will possess strong leadership and communication abilities that foster effective and collegial working relationships with all University constituents.

They will have strong financial management skills, project management expertise, and experience coordinating strategic planning, implementation, and assessment.

The AVPRA is also expected to have deep and robust knowledge of federal regulations (including the Uniform Guidance, CFR, FAR, DFAR), technology transfer, and the legal and regulatory / compliance environment governing research administration.

The AVPR will need to manage complex personnel issues including issues of diversity, inclusiveness, sensitivity, collaboration, performance improvement, and conflict resolution, and should have the requisite skills and experience to support the Office of Sponsored Programs in these areas.

They also will have the appropriate skills and experience to positively lead a diverse group of professionals and to work constructively, collaboratively, and diplomatically with many diverse individuals and groups both within and outside the university.

Ideally, the AVPRA will have experience managing and supporting organizational change.

This position may be considered for hybrid work or remote work for an exceptional candidate. The VPR Office supports flexible work arrangements for employees, including limited teleworking privileges.

Read more here : Required Job Qualifications

• Advanced degree and a minimum of 10 years (OR a and a minimum of 15 years) of progressive leadership experience in research administration at a Research 1 (R1) institution of higher education or organization of comparable complexity
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive supervisory experience in leading and managing professional and administrative staff in grants or in a financial administrative setting.
• Experience in the full research administration lifecycle from proposal to award closeout), including award negotiation and acceptance.
• Research Administration Certification (CRA, CPRA, and / or CFRA) OR the ability to pass the CRA exam within one year of hire.
• Experience with federal, state, corporate and foundation sponsors and administration and management of proposals and execution of grants and contracts from same sponsors.
• Broad-based knowledge of various government agencies (NIH, NSF, DoD, etc.) and corporate / foundation sponsored program requirements and practices.
• Experience with enterprise and sponsored research administration systems, such as NIH ASSIST, and oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to build partnerships across a diversity of research community members including those both inside and outside of the OVPR.
• Experience developing and implementing research administration policies, procedures, organizational innovations, and / or training strategies that have improved the quality of the research administration functions of an institution.

Preferred Job Qualifications preferred.

• 15 or more years of experience in research administration within a research-intensive enterprise setting in higher education.
• Demonstrated engagement at the federal level with issues surrounding research administration through NCURA, SRA, FDP and COGR or other similar professional organizations.
• Experience working with an academic medical school or veterinary school.
• Experience at a land grant or public institution of higher education
• Experience with Kuali Research and Kuali Financial Systems

Diversity Statement Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Departments commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Essential Duties Job Duty Category Executive Leadership Duty / Responsibility

• Broadly serves as an advocate and an advisor to the VPR for research administration.
• Effectively interfaces in a leadership capacity on behalf of the OVPR with central administration, colleges, and other agencies.
• Reflects the perspective of the OVPR in meetings.
• Leads the implementation of strategic programs and the deployment of resources in a manner that builds the Universitys research portfolio and complies with federal and other applicable regulations.
• Ensures the Office of the Vice President for Research has appropriate knowledge, background, and detailed information for all sponsored programs related decisions and activities;

interacts with internal and external constituents as needed to provide this information to maximize productivity and efficiency across the division.

• Determines appropriate course of action to resolve stakeholder issues / concerns, consults with the VPR as needed, communicates appropriate course of action once determined.
• Interacts and consults with the Research Associate Deans and other external stakeholders as needed to ensure the successful and timely implementation of the VPRs research agenda.
• Interacts, interprets, disseminates, and negotiates with internal and external staff and stakeholders as assigned. Evaluates requests from the VPR to determine appropriate consultations, negotiations, and course of action;

conducts negotiations as needed; communicates results to the VPR.

• Prepares and / or coordinates OVPR reports, briefings, presentations, and responses on issues, as appropriate.
• Leads processes to improve policy and procedures; ensures continuous improvement. · Working in concert with other key OVPR personnel, the AVPRA will be responsible for initiating, implementing and delegating activities surrounding sustainable budget approaches for OVPR priorities.
• Represents and upholds the Principles of Community plus the vision, mission, and values of the Office of the VP for Research.

Percentage Of Time 20% Job Duty Category Operational and Strategic Management of the Office of Sponsored Programs Duty / Responsibility

Serve as the senior leader of the Office of Sponsored Programs, including overseeing operations; strategic planning and implementation;

developing, overseeing, and monitoring the OSP operating budget; and perpetuating a culture of customer service, capability, empowerment, and success.

• Provide leadership to research administrative systems and system / process improvements.
• Serves as expert for interpreting, explaining, and applying University and sponsor policies as well as federal and state regulations related to research administration issues.
• Conducts policy and procedure analyses, and updates and implements changes as necessary and as required by Sponsors.
• Conducts business negotiations on behalf of the Office of the VP for Research.
• Serves as the lead OSP point of contact on issues of intellectual property issues and coordination with CSU STRATA, CSUs external technology transfer office.
• Serves as the lead OSP point of contact on issues relating to Contracting and Federal Acquisition Regulations as well as other Federal Agency specific contracting regulations.
• Reviews and negotiates contracts and grants with signature authority to execute contracts and grants.

Percentage Of Time 55% Job Duty Category Internal and External Relations Duty / Responsibility

Interact with external sponsors, auditors, and University officials and other campus representatives, including : Business and Financial Services, Internal Audit, Advancement, CSU Foundation, CSU Research Foundation, CSU STRATA, Deans, Research Associate Deans, department heads, and business officers in the academic units, on all matters relating to sponsored research administration.

Percentage Of Time 15% Job Duty Category Supervision Duty / Responsibility

• Supervision over Pre-award services, Post-award services, Training, Electronic Research Administration, Compliance Management, and Office Administration.
• Determines staffing requirements and leads, manages, mentors, and coaches staff.
• Sets clear performance and development standards, conducts performance evaluations, reviews and approves time / leave reporting, and initiates disciplinary processes when required.
• Hires, on-boards, and terminates employees consistent with all relevant HR and procurement policies and procedures.
• Ensures position descriptions, advertisements, and search processes adhere to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion best practices.
• Assigns and prioritizes work, monitors workflow, manages staff resources across service portfolio, and maintains work effort and staffing levels to meet needs of campus and CSU-System services.

Percentage Of Time 10% Application Details