Senior Director, Sponsored Projects - University of California, Irvine

Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.

To learn more about UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.

Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA) mission is to provide excellent service and expertise to the UCI research community. SPA staff act as UCI's institutional officials responsible for reviewing and submitting proposals to extramural sponsors for research, training, and public service projects. The unit also negotiates and accepts awards on behalf of The Regents; drafts, negotiates and executes subcontracts; promotes institutional compliance with Federal and State regulations, sponsor policy, and University policy; represents UCI and The Regents when interacting with sponsors; coordinates preaward and post-award actions requiring either institutional or sponsor prior approval; and resolve problems related to sponsored projects.

The individual directs and manages the submission of proposals to various funding agencies and oversees the review and acceptance of grant and contract award terms and conditions. As the organizational expert on policies and procedures for sponsored projects, through directors and managers, they oversee the development of campus and internal procedures and policies for contracts and grants, ensuring compliance with federal, state, agency, and institutional policies. They interact with senior management on critical and sensitive issues related to sponsored projects and subawards. They ensure that SPA staff receive appropriate training and professional development. Additionally, they monitor and inform the campus community about changes in regulations and laws related to sponsored projects, resolve administrative and operational problems, and represent UC Irvine on compliance issues to external parties.

NOTE: This is primarily a remote position. Infrequently, this position may need, or be required, to work on campus.

Total Compensation

In addition to the salary range listed, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.

Required:

• Expert knowledge of and ability to interpret and clearly articulate regulations, laws, and extramural sponsor policies related to contract and grant administration.
• Excellent leadership skills and demonstrated management experience in supervising personnel.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively across the organization at all levels. Ability to function as an effective part of a collaborative management team.
• Strong decision-making, critical thinking, and creative problem solving.with the demonstrated ability to negotiate and successfully resolve conflicts.
• Strong and effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct and support short-term and long-range strategic planning.
• Demonstrated knowledge of policies and practices employed by higher education institutions in managing research activities and relations with external sponsors (e.g., use of facilities, regulatory compliance, stewardship responsibilities, management of intellectual property, liability and risk etc.)
• Demonstrated ability to develop effective campus policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated expert-level contract drafting and negotiation skills.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
• A minimum of 10 years of experience Research administration management-level experience

Preferred:

• Strong skills using common desktop/web applications; understanding of research enterprise databases.

Conditions of Employment:

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:

• Background Check and Live Scan
• Legal Right to work in the United States
• Vaccination Policies
• Smoking and Tobacco Policy
• Drug Free Environment

The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements.

• California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
• E-Verify
• Pre-Placement Health Evaluation

Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page - https://hr.uci.edu/new-hire/conditions-of-employment.php

Closing Statement:

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

For the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20.

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.

We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (949) 824-0500 or eec@uci.edu.