Senior Manager, Sponsored Development

Department

Provost URA: Pre-Award Services

About the Department

University Research Administration has the responsibility to review and provide institutional endorsement for all proposals to federal and other external sponsors (excluding gifts), assuring compliance with University policies and sponsor terms and conditions. URA is the institutional authority for the negotiation and acceptance of financial support or other contractually-binding obligations in the form of a contract, grant, or agreement, including material transfer agreements and clinical trials. URA Pre-Award Administration Services provides pre-award support for select faculty in the area of proposal coordination and submission.

Job Summary

The Senior Manager for Sponsored Development is a senior independent contributor that manages the administration and coordination of various grants and contracts for the support of research, training, and other sponsored activities at the University. The Senior Manager serves as the operational lead for the URA Sponsored Development Services Team which provides specific divisional level pre-award support that involves pre-award management and proposal development of an assigned group of faculty members and their sponsored research portfolio. Additionally, the Senior Manager is responsible for assisting with the oversight of day-to-day sponsored program activities for an assigned portfolio of faculty researchers.

The Senior Sponsored Development Manager is responsible for all duties of a Sponsored Development Manager, in addition to responsibilities of this senior level role, including an ability to handle a larger and/or complex portfolio, mentor team staff and identify departmental leadership of any issues or corrective actions that are needed in day-to-day operations. Further, the Senior Manager is responsible for identifying and remediating deviations from established proposal development expectations. Requires higher-level knowledge and experience in pre-award research administration and development, while still building-expertise and skills in the field.

This role executes a range of activities to support the functional areas of University Research Administration. Supports research, training, and other sponsored activities at the University, building upon knowledge of the University, processes, and customers. Assists in the development of research compliance education programs. Solves complex problems; takes a new perspective using existing solutions. Works independently, receives minimal guidance. Acts as a resource for colleagues with less experience.

Responsibilities

• Leads the coordination of proposal development and assists faculty and administrative staff in the preparation of applications for compliance with sponsor and institutional policies, procedures, guidelines, and regulations.
• Provides oversight of pre-award opt-in services for all pre-award opt-in partners’ sponsored projects as required/needed.
• Reviews and interprets language in contracts and grants to determine conformity and/or conflict with University policies. Discusses award terms and conditions acceptable to the University at proposal stage, if applicable. Coordinates transition from pre to post-award activities.
• Confirms appropriate evidence of approvals so commitments made in proposals can be honored, to protect the University from harm, loss of income, or liability.
• Acts as National Lab liaison for Pre-Award matters.
• Supports the pre-award activities for all sponsored projects for the University departments and Units as assigned or directed.
• Provides review and approval of all proposal submissions prepared by Sponsored Development Services colleagues, as needed.
• Provides additional support for large, complex proposals to any department or unit, as needed, to increase consistency and expertise in the application process.
• Provides pre-award/proposal review for assigned campus units as needed. Reviews applications to ensure compliance with agency and institutional guidelines, regulations, and policies as needed.
• The individual is a member of a Team and must contribute to the team effort, as needed. This involves assisting colleagues to ensure timely service to Opt-In partners, faculty, departments, units, and sponsors as needed and to perform back-up duties during vacation or sick leaves of other Sponsored Development Services or Pre-Award Team staff.
• Develops training materials as well as mentors, and assists staff with issues and provides guidance.
• Works directly with PIs and/or their delegates to facilitate the management of their pre-award/proposal development portfolios and activities, including proposal preparation.
• Assists in implementing actions to ensure timely submission of proposals and other pre-award items.
• Leads/co-leads presentations and trainings internally and to the campus community, including outreach to faculty.
• Leads/co-leads working groups within URA to create and update standard operating procedures and job aides to be used internally within URA; continuously seeks to improve proposal preparation process and to tailor procedural materials to Opt-In partners.
• As needed, manages day-to-day Sponsored Development Services activities, including proposal development, and reviews activities of other opt-in staff in consultation with the Director, Pre-Award and Sponsored Development Services.
• Prepares proposal development workload reports as needed. Responsible for monthly and ad hoc reporting to review pre-award activities and work to resolve issues within URA. Identifies reporting gaps and works to create and/or modify reports to ensure efficiency in business processes and reduce the incidence of errors.
• Gains and maintains thorough understanding of University and sponsor regulations; answers questions and helps assist with training and development of the Sponsored Development Services Team. Develops and maintains relationships with sponsors while monitoring developments/changes to sponsors’ policies and procedures. Develops and maintains relationships with grants community, including faculty.
• Reviews Sponsor guidelines and processes and/or develops proposals in compliance with University and sponsor policies and assists with other grant and contract activity within AURA Grants. Escalates issues accordingly within the office of University Research Administration. 
• Coordinates and/or assists with other activities, special projects, and reports in coordination with the Director, Pre-Award and Sponsored Development Services. 
• Through interaction with a variety of federal and non-federal funding agencies, faculty, and staff, provides professional assistance with full authority in the administration and coordination of proposals in research and training.
• Provides faculty and administrators with application preparation, analyzing possible solutions to problems that arise using standard procedures. Reviews, interprets, and negotiates contract and grant terms to determine compliance and/or conflict with federal regulations and procedures. 
• Guides correspondence between the agency and University community to obtain and process necessary pre and post-award information. Reviews and processes various pre and post-award activities.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Extensive prior experience working with sponsored research administration in an academic environment.
• Background and experience working with Federal National Laboratories a plus.
• Participation interpreting sponsored research grants and contracts, and working with budgets, ledgers, invoices and fiscal reporting.

Technical Skills or Knowledge: 

• Knowledge and skills developed through developed through 7+ years of work experience preferably in a related job discipline (i.e., research administration, pre-award and post-award management).  
• Knowledge of the Uniform Guidance or interpretation of similar regulations.
• Proficiency in the use of University of Chicago systems such as Huron Research Suite, Oracle Cloud, and Workday.
• Strong computer skills including word processing, database management and spreadsheet skills, Microsoft Office suite and Adobe suite strongly preferred.
• Develop proficiency and work with various sponsor/third-party electronic systems.

 
Preferred Competencies

• Independence - work independently with a high degree of initiative, curiosity and minimal supervision. Learn new skills, take on new challenges, and ability to effectively interact and collaborate with all levels of university administrators and faculty members. Make decisions independently that will have downstream impacts on the management of sponsored projects.
• Communication Skills - excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders, with faculty and administrative staff at the University, and close collaboration with all staff within the office of University Research Administration. 
• Service Orientation - positive, service-oriented attitude with a courteous demeanor, maintaining professionalism in all interactions. Develop and manage interpersonal relationships.
• Discretion and Confidentiality - handle sensitive and confidential situations with absolute discretion and maintain confidentiality. 
• Attention to Detail and Accuracy - exceptional attention to detail and thoroughness in completing tasks accurately. Work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Organizational and Multitasking Skills - strong organizational skills to multitask, meet deadlines, and navigate ambiguity in a fast-paced work environment. Interact by phone, email, online meetings or in person with faculty and administrative staff at the University and occasionally with staff of federal government, non-federal sponsors, and other institutions and organizations.
• Judgment and Project Management - sound judgment and prioritize and anticipate potential issues and address them proactively. 
• Adaptability and Feedback Reception - stay current with technology and digital tools. Maintain composure under pressure, work flexible hours as needed, and respond constructively to feedback. 

 
Working Conditions

• Sit for 4 hours or more.
• Use computers extensively for 4 hours or more.
• Use standard office equipment and troubleshoot IT equipment in a remote/hybrid environment.
• Some evening and weekend work. 

 
Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required) 
• Cover Letter (preferred) 
• References Contact Information (preferred)

Job Family

Financial Management

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$81,000.00 - $104,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

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All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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