Research Administrator

The University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Medicine is seeking a Research Administrator to work in the Department of Neurology. The Department of Neurology provides evaluation, treatment, and care for patients suffering from a wide range of neurological disorders including stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and migraine. We provide care through our in-patient and consultative services, our designated Comprehensive Stroke Center, our Level 4 Epilepsy Center, our 22-bed Neuro-Critical Care Unit, and our busy outpatient practice. The Department also provides state-of-the-art rehabilitation services. Several departmental faculty received grant funding from the National Institutes of Health and the Veteran’s Administration to study the role of genetics in stroke, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease, new brain imaging modalities in multiple sclerosis, biomarkers in multiple sclerosis, and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and intellectual disability. Many faculty are lead investigators in clinical trials to identify new therapeutic approaches for a broad range of neurological disorders.

Benefits: Exempt Regular 

UMB offers a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes wellness, work/life balance, and professional development, along with additional exciting perks that employees can take advantage of.  This position participates in a retirement program that must be selected and is effective on your date of hire. Exempt regular staff receive a generous PAID leave package that includes over 4 weeks of vacation accrued each year, 15 paid holidays, 3 personal leave, unlimited accrual of sick time, and comprehensive health insurance; professional learning and development programs; tuition remission for employees and their dependents at any University System of Maryland school; and flexible work schedules and teleworking options (if applicable per job). 

UMB is a public university and constituent institution of the University System of Maryland.  All employees are expected to work primarily physically within the State of Maryland.

SCOPE OF ROLE

• Accomplishes responsibilities by primarily (>50%25) performing significant managerial functions within area of responsibility. Possess subject matter expertise in a professional discipline. Achieves objectives through coordinated efforts of others, typically by managing recruitment, engagement, performance, and development of employees. Develops, implements, and manages goals and objectives. Participates in strategic planning. Determines and enforces processes, practices, and/or policies. Manages operations, workflow, projects, and/or systems that have strategic impact. Accountable for operational and/or financial resources. Responsible for compliance with relevant policies, procedures, and expectations to support institutional, School or Unit goals.
• Manages the daily operations, typically, of a work unit (group(s) or team(s) of staff who perform similar type work) or function (division(s), program(s), or specialized unit(s) within a department). Develops and achieves broadly stated goals and objectives in alignment with defined strategy. Primarily responsible for overall execution of results. Wide latitude to make managerial decisions within area of responsibility. Recommends financial, personnel, and significant strategic decisions for upper senior professional approval.

PRIMARY DUTIES

• Provide expert direction for unit and/or team of research administration staff by balancing pre-award proposals application and/or submissions and administration of multiple post award activities are executed. Responsible for contracts and grants administration and maximizing funds available to conduct research. Ensure department grants and contracts comply with all federal and state legal requirements and UMB policies prior to review by the Office of Research & Development.
• Develop and implement policy statements and annual project plans. Provide direction for operational aspects of contracts and grant management business operation matters. Assist in the development of the departments research strategic plan in accordance with UMB priorities. Provides PI and management with ad-hoc reports in support of strategic plan.
• Manage the preparation and review of grant and contract budgets and applications. Finalize documents for submission.
• Validate proposal error or warnings. Knowledgeable in all funding mechanisms. Provide guidance on staffing and budgetary requirements.
• Review, interpret, communicate, and ensure sponsor guidelines are in compliance and eligibility information is defined within proposals. Interact directly with designation sponsor representatives to clarify ambiguous terms and conditions, and to request supplemental funding, no cost extensions, and other administrative requests.
• Manage all grants submitted including tracking individual faculty grant histories, success rates by agency, and providing faculty with historical perspectives. Review purchase order requests on equipment and large supply orders to ensure funding available and policies are followed. Administer lifecycle research administration budget from initiation through closeout and all results are completed and submitted to sponsor timely.
• Manage all financial transactions, documentation, and sub awards. Ensure PI maintain proper spending of all research funding. Investigate outstanding payments from deliverable project. Perform close out audit to ensure all payment have been received in line with the cost analysis.
• Identify issues and independently resolve and assist others in issue resolution as needed. Anticipate roadblocks and able to independently resolve.
• Develop criteria for review of grant and contract applications. Review and interpret funding guidelines and regulations and advises faculty as to policies and procedures of those agencies. Identify future funding opportunities and work with PI to identify components.
• Develops timeline to meet submission deadlines and checklist of required documents and adjusts timeline to adapt to change. Recommend overall adjustments in effort allocation and spending across investigator portfolio.
• Consult with PI to translate program requirements into contract terms. Identify, develop, and ensure contract requirements contain quantifiable specification and measurable performance criteria. Validate the performance criteria will meet the requirements.
• Develop safeguards to ensure the integrity of grant administration or contracts and protects the University from financial losses. Ensure sub awards are in compliance with terms and conditions of the award.
• Provide direction in definition of partnership. Establish review criteria to understand if partnership is a vendor vs. subcontract.
• Interpret data for the purpose of determining past financial performance to develop and prepare financial reports for financial analysis, forecasting, and trending. Devise financial reporting tools and reports.
• Model and train staff on the consultative approach to problem solving and negotiation with internal and external constituents to achieve units goals.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor's degree. Master's degree preferred
Experience: Six (6) years progressively building research administrative background with at least 4 years in full life-cycle research administration
Supervisory Experience: One (1) year of work coordination or training of others preferred.
Certification/Licensure: Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) preferred.
Other: Financial disclosure reporting required by State of Maryland Ethics Commission.

Completion of a 12-credit Research Administration graduate certificate program can be considered for the equivalent of one (1) year of relevant research administration work experience.

Except for qualifications established by law, additional related experience and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for full performance of the work of the job class may be substituted for the education or experience requirement on a year-for-year basis with 30 undergraduate college credits being equivalent to one year of related experience. In instances where specific education and/or experience is required only directly related education and/or experience may be substituted. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of position requirements. Thorough knowledge of all applicable requirements, regulations, and laws. Skill in effective use of applicable technology/systems. Ability to effectively communicate both verbal and written thoughts, ideas, and facts. Ability to support a mission and strategic vision. Instructional, training, and teambuilding skills to strengthen and cultivate relationships. Skill in consultation and change management. Ability to demonstrate, understand, apply, and adhere to the UMB Core Values of Respect and Integrity, Well-being and Sustainability, Equity and Justice, and Innovation and Discovery.

Hiring Range: $101,500 - $116,000, Commensurate with education and experience

UMB is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce and is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, ancestry or national origin, sex, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, marital status, protected veteran's status, or any other legally protected classification.

If you anticipate needing a reasonable accommodation for a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), during any part of the employment process, please submit a UMB Job Applicant Accommodation Request. You may also contact [email protected] . Please note that only inquiries concerning an ADA request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. Read the UMB Notice of Non-Discrimination for more information.