Research Administration Director

SRA International; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

SRA International is seeking a Research Administration Director located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This role involves strategic leadership in managing grants, contracts, and sponsored programs. Responsibilities include overseeing administrative operations, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, and directing staff training. The ideal candidate will have at least 72 months of experience in the field, including supervisory roles. A Bachelor's degree is required. The position offers a dynamic work environment with a full-time schedule.

Qualifications

• 72 months of experience in grants, contracts, and sponsored program administration.
• 24 months of supervisory/managerial responsibility.
• 36 months directly related to sponsored program administration.

Responsibilities

• Oversee research administration staff and grant management.
• Ensure compliance with regulations.
• Develop and implement departmental procedures for grants.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Employer: The University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Campus

Schedule: Full-time

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8AM - 5PM

Work Type: Onsite

Salary Range: Commensurate with experience.

Benefits Provided: Yes

Required Attachments: Resume, Cover Letter

Job Description

The Research Administration Director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the university's grants, contracts, and sponsored programs administration. The Director ensures the effective management of the full lifecycle of externally funded research and other sponsored activities, including proposal development, submission, award negotiation, compliance, and post‑award administrative coordination. This position oversees research administration staff and works closely with faculty investigators, university leadership, and administrative units to support the growth, integrity, and compliance of the institution's research enterprise. The Director ensures adherence to federal, state, sponsor, and institutional regulations while implementing efficient processes and best practices for sponsored program administration.

Duties

• Ensures university's compliance with state law, sponsor and university policies and procedures.
• Supervises and evaluates staff responsible for the management of grants and contracts; sponsored and non-sponsored.
• Develops and implements departmental procedures for grant and contract review and processing in accordance with state law and sponsor and university regulations.
• Plans, forecasts and sets departmental objectives for the management of grants and both non-research and research related contracts.
• Assists other management with the development of procedures for improving efficiency.
• Serves as delegated authority to sign grant proposals and contracts for incoming research, training, and service funding to the university.
• Develops and directs training of staff on university and sponsor policies and procedures.
• Coordinates efforts among Legal Counsel, Grants and Contracts Accounting, Office of Compliance, IRB, IBC, and IACUC offices and Office of Technology Development related to the administration of grants and contracts.
• Facilitates communications with investigators and sponsors for the resolution of issues related to grant and contract administration and negotiation.
• Develops and implements procedures for grant/contract review and processing in accordance with state law and sponsor and university regulations.
• Establishes guidelines for proposal development of sponsored program projects, including approval of re‑budget requests, extensions, carry forward requests, and amendments to ensure institutional compliance with agency and university policies.
• Plans, forecasts, and sets departmental objectives for the management of grants and both non-research and research‑related contracts.
• Implements educational programs for faculty and staff regarding proposal development, electronic submissions, project and contract compliance.
• Directs development of materials and training of staff.
• Coordinates efforts related to the administration of grants and contracts with Legal Counsel, Financial Services, Office of Compliance, IRB, IBC, and IACUC offices, and the Intellectual Property Management Office.
• Facilitates communication with investigators and sponsors for the resolution of issues related to grant and contract administration and negotiation.
• Oversees maintenance of databases.
• Prepares proposal and award reports; and other reports as requested by supervisor, faculty, staff, and administration.
• Performs various duties as needed to successfully fulfill the function of the position.

Job Requirements

Required Education: Bachelor’s degree, AND:

• 72 months of experience, 24 months of which includes supervisory/managerial responsibilities, in any combination of procurement (federal, state or industrial), proposal submissions, contract negotiations, grant and contract administration; accounting and/or financial analysis, financial administration in sponsored program administration.
• 36 months of the experience must be directly related to sponsored program administration.

Skills

• Possesses advanced organizational and management skills that encompass strong leadership, superior communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong leadership and managerial competencies.
• Ability to balance unpredictable work flows.
• Flexible.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrated problem‑solving and analytical competencies.
• Ability to make independent decisions and recommend unique solutions.
• Knowledge of state, federal, and institutional regulations related to research administration, as well as the ability to review, analyze and interpret such regulations, including OMB Circulars A‑21, A‑133, and A‑110.
• Demonstrated experience in applying these principles in an academic environment.

Certifications

None

Advertised Physical Requirements

• Physical:
  • Able to engage in repetitive motions and communicate effectively.
• Environmental:
  • Standard office environment.

Departmental Preferences

• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or similar credential.
• Experience in an academic medical center or R1 research university.
• Experience with electronic research administration systems.
• Experience managing large collaborative or multi‑institutional proposals.

Supervision

12 Lead Contract/Grant Admin - ORA Sr. Contract/Grant Admin - ORA Contract/Grant Admin - ORA

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, gender identity/expression (consistent with applicable law), age (40 or older), religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, housing, financial aid, and educational services.