UC San Diego · 4 hours ago
Lead Research Administrator-HYBRID - 138081
San Diego, CA
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level
$88K/yr - $100K/yr
5+ years expUC San Diego is a prestigious institution seeking a Lead Research Administrator to provide oversight and mentorship to research administration staff. The role involves managing complex proposal and award activities, ensuring compliance with regulations, and leading the development of policies to enhance research administration efficiency.
EducationHigher EducationUniversities
Responsibilities
Providing oversight, mentorship, and advanced guidance to research administration staff
Direct and review complex proposal and award management activities
Resolve unique or precedent-setting issues
Serve as the primary escalation point for junior research administrators
Act as the designated mentor for new staff
Lead for training, delegation of assignments, and professional development
Ensure consistent interpretation of policy and compliance across the department
Lead or contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures that promote efficiency, consistency, and accountability in research administration
Provide analytical and financial oversight for proposal processing, contract and grant administration, and budget development
Engage in pre-award and post-award activities for federal, state, local, and private sponsors
Coordinate forecasting, planning, and reporting efforts to support departmental research portfolios
Ensure accurate, timely financial management
Analyze and resolve unique financial management issues without precedent
Provide team leadership in the development of policies and procedures
Approve or recommend for approval changes
Liaison with other teams that support trainees, scholars and fellows
Develop cost projects for faculty with these populations
Lead the funding entry process for all student researchers, trainees, scholars and fellows
Provide expert fiscal management for a full range of sponsored projects, core, operating and other restricted funds
Serve as liaison between OCGA, SPF, General Accounting, AMAS and other central offices
Participate in organizational committees for research administration
Lead in the development, training and implementation of complex financial reporting and analysis of revenue and expenditures for training, fellowship and educational sponsored programs
Understand and interpret large sets of data to provide guidance around business decisions for department and faculty
Perform other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
Five (5) or more years of relevant experience, preferred
Extensive knowledge of program administration guidelines of Federal and non-Federal sponsors supporting research and educational activities, preferably in a university environment
Advanced knowledge of applicable compliance requirements related to use of human or animal subjects in research, financial conflict of interest, biosafety, etc
Ability to manage high volume and complex transactions
Ability to perform highly complex financial analysis and customized reporting
Demonstrated advanced competence in the use of spreadsheet and database software in financial analysis, fiscal management and financial reports
Ability to maintain independent judgment; strong organization and communication skills; and a customer service focus across broad and diverse subject areas
Maintains knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply sponsor, institutional and departmental policies. Knowledge of current compliance regulations in all areas of research administration
Demonstrated advanced knowledge of generally accepted accounting, fiscal and reporting principles
Experience with all types of award mechanisms, including grants, contracts, subcontracts, and cooperative agreements
Full knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation, Code of Federal Regulations, sponsor-specific policies, intellectual property policy, conflict of interest requirements, publication rights, application of indirect cost rates and other complex concepts in research administration
Ability to interpret policy for others. Experience mentoring new researchers in sponsored project administration
Extensive experience with sponsored project (pre-and post award) management for student populations and educational related award types
Extensive experience working with training grants, fellowships, education sponsored projects and scholarship programs
Extensive knowledge of payroll and personnel regulations including impact of salary scales, merits, range adjustments. Knowledge of employee benefit regulations, leave accruals, summer salary policies, and a range of flexible salary options to meet appropriate fund source uses
Demonstrated leadership skills and experience in providing work direction and training to professional staff, fostering innovation, service and accountability, and to give clear instructions and guidelines
Ability to delegate and assign tasks and monitor production and quality of work
Ability to teach/train staff in all aspects of job duties/responsibilities
Advanced understanding of the importance of ensuring an equitable, inclusive, and diverse working environment, with the ability to work as a part of a diverse and collaborative team
Demonstrated competency and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
Willingness and demonstrated ability to embrace and consistently uphold the principles of community for a collaborative work environment
Company
UC San Diego
UC San Diego Extension is an online research university for community leaders and professionals.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
UC San Diego 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 (308)
2024 (261)
2023 (232)
2022 (223)
2021 (131)
2020 (105)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Pierre Ouillet
Vice Chancellor and CFO
Elena Lelea
Financial Manager / Asst. COO
Recent News
Business Insider
2025-12-30
2025-12-11
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