Associate Director for Research Development

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin seeks an Associate Director for Research Development at the Latino Research Institute on UT's main campus. This role leads the planning, development, submission, and monitoring of LRI proposals and research, coordinating with COLA and OVPR to maximize grant opportunities and manage grants lifecycle.

Key responsibilities include establishing a robust research development program, guiding faculty and researchers through pre- and post-award processes, and ensuring

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field and 5+ years grants administration experience, with 3+ years in a managerial role.
• Experience developing and managing multidisciplinary grant collaborations across University departments and external partners.
• Experience building relationships with federal agencies and foundation program officers to support faculty with sponsor guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead the LRI research development program, oversee planning, submission, and monitoring of proposals.
• Coordinate with COLA and OVPR grant management teams on pre- and post-award processes.
• Provide guidance to researchers on policies, deadlines, and compliance; implement grant tracking systems.
• Lead pre-award management, identify grant opportunities, and assist with proposal development and budget preparation.
• Oversee post-award management, ensure timely reporting and compliance, and manage extensions and closeouts.

Skills

Grants administration

Management experience

Interdepartmental collaboration

Policy interpretation

Written and oral communication

MS Office Suite

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Outlook

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Job Posting Title: Associate Director for Research Development

Hiring Department: Latino Research Institute

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40

FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date: Immediately

Position Duration: Expected to Continue

Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details

Purpose

The Associate Director for Research Development will be vital in establishing a robust LRI research development program and lead the planning, development, submission, and ongoing monitoring of LRI proposals and research.

Responsibilities

• Consult with Director to establish a robust research development program that supports multidisciplinary research on Latino communities and research that is consequential for all communities. Works closely with Latino Research Institute (LRI) affiliates and other UT Austin faculty and graduate students to pursue grants which align with the UT Austin’s mission more broadly. Work with the Director and Associate Director of Research to strategically lead LRI research, programs, and grant management objectives. Assists the Director in establishing a comprehensive grant management tracking platform that monitors all LRI grants and programs, including the areas of focus (e.g., AI, transportation, housing, education, labor participation, social engagement, public health, and safety), professional development, and research and social impact of grants. Work with the Director to produce metrics to articulate LRI’s success for annual and ad hoc reporting.
• Work closely with COLA and OVPR grant management teams on all pre and post grant management processes. Will provide faculty, students and key collaborators with ongoing grant opportunities that align with the LRI mission.
• Serve as LRI’s resident grants expert and provide timely and responsive support to researchers on a broad range of funding agency and university policies, procedures, and deadlines. Pursue and manage institutional/center grants to support LRI core operations and activities and expand institutional objectives and initiatives. Notify researchers of relevant policy initiatives and changes from the university and sponsors (e.g., indirect cost agreements, tuition increases, UT fringe rate policy, sponsors’ fiscal policies, cost-share policies, conflict of interest policies, funding rules and regulations).
• Consult with PIs throughout pre- and post-award phases to integrate key aspects of LRI institutional mission and strategic goals into grants. Develop protocol documents, documenting formal grant application submission policies and procedures for the LRI.
• Continually refine and update internal policies and procedures.
• Lead the LRI pre-award management/proposal process and development. Identify and circulate grant opportunities concerning research of LRI affiliates and other UT Austin researchers. Assist LRI affiliated faculty, researchers, and other academic and staff personnel with proposal development, document and budget preparation, copy editing of proposal documents, and submission of funding applications to federal and private funding agencies. As appropriate, consult with PIs to strengthen their proposals through constructive feedback on scope of work, implementation plan, timelines and other proposal aspects. As appropriate, advise PIs about existing resources that might complement their projects and strengthen their proposals. At the direction of the PI, serve as primary contact with sub-award entities during the pre-award application process and throughout the post-award period. Review sponsor guidelines, university and external policies and procedures to ensure compliance.
• Lead the LRI post-award management. Provide oversight and ensure compliance during grant implementation, including assistance with progress reports; funding extensions; amendments, grant close-outs; facilitation of grant transfers, contracts, purchases, budget and SOV modifications, sub-award invoices, and overall expense management. Hold regular meetings with PIs and relevant LRI staff to monitor grant performance, establish best practices, and consider future opportunities.
• Participate in LRI and COLA staff meetings as relevant to position. Continually upgrade knowledge and skills through active membership in UT’s Association of Research Administrators, classes, workshops, committees, and other training opportunities.
• Serve as primary departmental contact for the College Research Support Office (RSO), the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP), COLA and UT Foundation Relations, and the Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors (OVPR) to facilitate timely, accurate, and complete proposal submission and post-award information requests. Serve as liaison between researchers and OSP; communicate with OSP reviewers, negotiators, and award administrators.
• Supervise the Academic Program Coordinator. Coordinate LRI activities with the Director and initiatives. Facilitate communication between LRI and other college offices. Assist the Director in communicating with faculty and student researchers affiliated with the LRI.
• Work closely with the LRI’s Administrative Associate to ensure availability of timely and accurate faculty effort percentages and financial reports to PIs and stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in related field. Five or more years of grants administration experience, with three or more years at a managerial level, including oversight of: development, preparation, processing and oversight of sponsored research proposals and awards; alignment of grant deliverables to advance institutional strategic goals; and leading research development initiatives and grants training for various constituents from a broad range of experience. Demonstrated experience developing and managing multi-disciplinary grant collaborations across University departments and CSUs; and with local, state, national and international community partners (subawards, contracts, MOUs). Demonstrated cultural competence and successful experience working with various constituents and community partners in multicultural, multi-lingual contexts. Experience building positive working relationships with federal agency and foundation program officers to support faculty with interpreting and adhering to sponsor guidelines. Ability to work in a environment with sensitive and confidential information. Demonstrated self-starter with excellent written and oral communication skills. Proficient use of MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Adobe Professional. Demonstrated ability to maintain accuracy and pay close attention to detail. Demonstrated ability to work in a "high volume" office in which there are multiple deadlines.

Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Graduate degree in social science, humanities or related field. Demonstrated excellence in a University position that supports researchers. More than five years of experience in pre- and post- award research administration. Experience managing interdisciplinary campus wide, national and international regranting, fellowship, seed funding and pilot programs for UT Austin students and faculty, and scholars external to the University. Experience with design, implementation and evaluation studies and community-level research. Certified Research Administrator (CRA). Familiarity with University policies and procedures. Knowledge of UT Austin’s financial and/or research management systems. Experience working with high volume grant proposals. Experience in using NSF’s Research.gov, NEH’s eGMS Reach, FLUXX, Grants.gov and/or Cayuse, and other electronic research submission systems. Advanced organizational skills.

Multilingual, Spanish preferred.

Salary Range

$100,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

Typical office environment

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.