Northwestern University · 6 hours ago
Assistant Director, Pre-Award - Sponsored Research
Chicago, IL
Full-time
Onsite
Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
$107K/yr - $125K/yr
5+ years expNorthwestern University is seeking an Assistant Director for Pre-Award in Sponsored Research. The role involves overseeing the review and submission of sponsored research proposals, managing a team of specialists, and ensuring compliance with university and sponsor policies.
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Hiring Manager
Eric Noll
Responsibilities
Manages a team of 9 pre-award specialists. Provides daily guidance and mentoring to staff on operational and policy issues, as well as routine activities. Reviews and monitors the daily workflow of proposals, and other pre-award tasks, and reassigns work as needed
Maintains awareness of major sponsor deadlines
Monitors individual workloads as well as the overall flow of proposals and other administrative activities
Ensures team awareness of and compliance with both university and sponsor policies related to proposal submissions, including those related to conflict of interest and foreign influence
Provides input to office-wide meetings
Facilitates cross-team collaborations to address issues and to ensure seamless handoffs between teams internal to SR, and partners across NU
Hires, promotes, evaluates and counsels staff with input from Director and Assistant Vice President, Sponsored Research (AVP-SR)
Exercises delegated signature authority from the Assistant Vice President. Reviews, and signs proposal applications and pre-award documents as authorized by the University president
Safeguards university interests with respect to intellectual property, publications, export controls, liability, effort reporting, and compliance issues
Supports a team of pre-award specialists and ensures that a high level of service support is provided to principal investigators and departmental, center, school and central administrators
Evaluates and escalates items with potential risks, such as non-standard terms and conditions
Serves as expert in proposal management. Participates in establishing standard operating procedures for pre-award service delivery
Monitors internal performance metrics to ensure high levels of service and accomplishment of objectives
Solicits input from faculty, staff, and other central administrative offices, such as COI, IRB, ACUC, INVO, ASRSP, General Counsel, and Risk Management as appropriate
Represents Sponsored Research in meetings with principal investigators, school administrators, and senior university administrators in areas related to sponsored research. Accurately conveys current practices in research administration and works collaboratively across all sectors of the university to develop appropriate changes in procedures and policies, and implement best practices that will benefit the research community
Presents as needed to a variety of constituents including campus-wide and national meetings
Participates in the development and implementation of new policies and revisions to existing policies
Develops, implements and trains staff in standard procedures that support Northwestern University policies. Coordinates with other units to ensure the timing and integrity of the sponsored research life cycle. Communicates and presents procedures and policy within SR and externally to the university community
Assists in the development of the agenda for University-wide sponsored research meetings
Monitors policy changes implemented by external sponsors (related to electronic research administration and otherwise)
Assists faculty and staff in electronic proposal submissions and award monitoring
Provides significant input to optimize enterprise-level systems supporting research administration and participates in managing change within the research administration community
Provides education, training and research information for SR staff and NU departments, schools and Centers through a variety of venues. Participates in designing and implementing research administration training programs
Leads ongoing service excellence and continuous improvement initiatives
Optimizes staff skills and organizational structure and is responsible for staff development and continuing education. Provides staff with feedback and direction
Advises Director and AVP-SR on emerging and pressing issues
Participates in resolution of issues
Performs other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
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
5 years previous work experience in the administration of sponsored research at an educational institution, in the federal government, or entity engaged in sponsored research
Previous, proven experience supervising and mentoring staff
Capable of presenting at various meetings across campus including faculty meetings and campus-wide meetings and at professional organizations (MAGI, FDP, NCURA, UIDP, SRA, etc)
Advanced knowledge and application of federal regulations necessary to administer and manage externally funded sponsored research
Advanced knowledge of federal proposal submission systems (such as research.gov, ASSIST, grants.gov, eRA Commons, etc.)
Excellent written and verbal communications skills
Preferred
Master's degree. Past experience in a central sponsored research or other research-related office is strongly preferred
Demonstrated ability to conduct training sessions
Demonstrated ability to effectively manage staff
Benefits
Meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans
Retirement benefits
Tuition discounts
Comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities
Flexible work arrangements
Programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care
Employee career development
Variety of tools and resources
Company
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research and teaching university that offers academic programs across various fields of study. It is a sub-organization of Northwestern Athletics.
5001-10000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Northwestern University has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (325)
2024 (308)
2023 (280)
2022 (282)
2021 (184)
2020 (155)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$98.02MKey Investors
National Peanut BoardAdvanced Research Projects Agency for HealthGRAMMY Museum
2024-10-30Grant
2024-10-04Grant· $34M
2023-11-28Grant· $0.02M
Leadership Team
Diego Klabjan
Professor
Henry Bienen
Interim President
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