Director of Research Administration, Pre-Award, YSPH

SRA International; New Haven (CT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

SRA International is seeking a Director of Research Administration at the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH) in New Haven, Connecticut. This hybrid position involves leading a team responsible for the pre-award submissions of approximately 300 proposals annually while ensuring compliance with regulations. You will advise YSPH leadership, develop policies, and supervise the workflow of proposals.

The ideal candidate should possess strong managerial and leadership skills, with a Bachelor's Degree and eight years of relevant experience. The role offers opportunities for training initiatives to promote best practices in research administration.

Qualifications

• 8 years of experience in research administration or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Visionary with ability to influence and generate a strategic vision.
• Ability to adapt communication style at all levels of the University.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise the pre-award team.
• Provide training and support to the grants management unit.
• Develop metrics to monitor workflow.

Skills

Managerial skills

Leadership

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Problem-resolution skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in a related field

Tools

MS Office suite

Job description

Director of Research Administration, Pre-Award, YSPH

Overview

Reporting to the Lead Administrator of the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH), this position leads and manages a team of professional staff dedicated to the pre‑award function for YSPH, responsible for preparing and submitting approximately 300 proposals per year. The role includes active oversight of all externally sponsored proposals at YSPH and the associated workflow, ensuring they are prepared accurately, efficiently and in compliance with regulations, policies, and best practices. Responsibilities also include providing advice to YSPH leadership; ensuring appropriate oversight and administrative review of all proposals; developing, reviewing, and revising policies, procedures, and guidelines; supervising staff and managing workflow; and maintaining records and documentation.

While this role is hybrid, leaders are expected to be on campus as needed and driven by business needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise the pre‑award team to ensure high levels of customer service, quality, efficiency and staff satisfaction and engagement.
• Provide training, support and guidance to the pre‑award unit and other personnel at the school involved with the management of grants and contracts. Lead the development and documentation of best practices, guidelines and standard operating procedures.
• Develop and use metrics to monitor workflow within the unit. Develop and manage evaluation activities to assess the effectiveness of the pre and post award function at the School. Provide regular updates to the Associate Dean of Research and Lead Administrator regarding trends.
• Actively participate in the management of sponsored project administration for the School; establish, promote and monitor cross‑functional teamwork between Pre‑ and Post‑Award Teams.
• Provide expert‑level support services to investigators and staff including the development and management of externally sponsored applications and contracts.
• Ensure that all required reports and other data are submitted accurately and on time, including monthly and annual reports, and other reports as requested by the Deans and administration.
• Serve as a liaison to University personnel regarding grant and contract requirements and the exploration and development of best practices.
• Keep abreast of laws, regulations, external and internal policies and procedures governing the administration of externally sponsored research agreements and other complex agreements and serve as a resource to faculty, staff and administration units in the School.
• Work closely with other University personnel in the development and implementation of initiatives to support the growth and management of research activities including development of training initiatives to promote best practices at all levels of research administration.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Well‑developed managerial, financial, decision‑making, planning, organizational, problem‑resolution and leadership skills. High level strategic planning skills.
2. Demonstrated ability to manage people on a day‑to‑day basis and inspire a high level of commitment and performance. Visionary with ability to influence and generate a strategic vision.
3. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to adapt communication style to address the needs of individuals at all levels throughout the University and negotiate skillfully with both internal and external constituents.
4. Proven experience in strategic leadership, grant administration, and organizational development. Ability to champion change and drive results in a work group.
5. Solid understanding of internal control concepts and the implementation of internal control systems in a complex business environment. Strong computer skills with an ability to effectively employ the MS Office suite, multitask, prioritize, and adapt to changing priorities.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

• 5 years experience in research administration.
• Knowledge of federal, state and sponsor regulations, guidelines pertaining to contract and grant administration, electronic proposal systems.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Directs, monitors, and assesses needs and directs the application of resources of an administrative University office dealing with one or more major functional areas.
2. Directs and implements solutions to problems that are routine to complex in nature and that affect multiple functional areas of responsibility.
3. Plans and/or participates in planning University activities on a long‑term basis to comply with University goals and objectives.
4. Establishes and implements consistent university‑wide policies in multiple functional areas of responsibility.
5. Ensures that University office policies and procedures are in compliance with federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.
6. Develops and monitors goals and objectives for managerial and professional staff in compliance with University strategies.
7. Directs a staff of exempt and non‑exempt employees.
8. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor's Degree in a related field and eight years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.

EEO Statement

The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual's sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).