Research Administration Sr Mgr

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that relate to this position.

The Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) is seeking an initiative-taking Senior Research Administration Manager. The successful candidate will collaborate with the Associate Chair for Research taking on a solid research administration infrastructure to the next level using project management tools. This Research Administration Senior Manager is a member of the PM&R Leadership Council and reports to the Chief Department Administrator. This individual will be responsible for directing and managing the complete research process for the Department. This individual will manage portfolios of one or more senior researchers depending on size of work and other responsibilities.

This person will supervise a team of staff, ensuring excellent customer service, timeliness, and high accuracy. This individual will serve as an advisor to faculty and project managers, who supervise research staff. In addition to knowing research administration, this individual will also need to be familiar with human resources practices, hiring, departures, and disciplinary processes.

PM&R's research enterprise currently has 73 active faculty, collaborating with 24 UM (University of Michigan) or Michigan Medicine Departments Schools or Centers. PM&R currently has 9 post-doctoral fellows, 4 graduate students, 56 research staff, and 5 research administration staff that will report to this position.

Total Department research expenditures last fiscal year were over six million dollars and rose 11.4% from the prior year. The PM&R has a #4 NIH (National Institutes of Health) ranking of PM&R Departments across the country. Major sponsors include NIH (45%), NIDILRR (16%), Craig H Foundation (10%) PCORI (Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute) (5%), DOD (5%) and various others (19%).

Research Administration Management: 50%

Responsible for the complete administrative research process for the Department. Oversee and review pre/post award sponsored research activities required for the submission process. Manage research administration staff, who communicate relevant Sponsored Programs requirements and procedures to faculty which includes pre- and post-award activities and regular communications/meetings with faculty and staff and ethical management of funds. Provide guidance and counsel to the research administration team and research faculty on the most effective way to achieve an effective, quality proposal and coordinate a timely submission process, ensuring appropriate approvals. Approve proposal submission requests and action requests, and unfunded research requests. Ensure compliance/oversight by monitoring budgets and spending and providing guidance and counsel for the stewardship of sponsored research funds. Review and approve HR appointment change requests for research staff and faculty.  

Use and teach others to use project management software. The person in this position will put into practice the vision of the Associate Chair for Research to integrate project management tools and principles for transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the management of faculty portfolios, including Human Resources.

Grants Administration: 30%

Manage senior faculty portfolios and assist research administrators, as needed, in pre- and post-award activities.

Trouble shoots. Read guidelines, look up source documentation and relay the information to guide faculty customers to making quality decisions.

Work with the finance team to track, monitor, and report financial activities, such as indirect costs, cost share obligations, research gift obligations, and unfunded arrangements.

This position requires an elevated level of multitasking and prioritizing, managing numerous proposal submissions of varying degrees of complexity simultaneously with post-award financial duties.

Strategic Leadership: 10%

Collaborate closely with the Associate Chair for Research on strategic endeavors and to problem solve solutions to resolve issues which may arise.

Prepare quarterly, annual reports, and ad hoc reports for the Associate Chair for Research, Chief Department Administrator, and the Department Chair.

Participate in the Department Operations Council (led by the Chief Department Administrator), representing research administration and aligning with the Department's strategic goals.

Human Resources Management: 10%

Supervise, train, mentor, and empower a research administration team consisting of 5 individuals (4 grants administrators and 1 Admin Assistant Senior staff person). Make hiring decisions, provide coaching, training, and mentoring, manage performance, and determine staffing needs for variety of staff reporting to research faculty.

Human Resource experience hiring research fellows, regular staff, temporary staff, students, and volunteers as well as with handling (advising) on performance issues as a partner to the CDA and HR representative.

• A successful candidate will work to cultivate trust and rapport with a variety of constituents including departmental faculty and staff, medical school and university administration, and sponsors.
• This position requires a motivated person who works well under deadline pressure and can operate responsibly and independently.
• Demonstrated ability to be a positive change agent with a wide variety of customers.
• Ability to carry out projects with timelines and deliverables using various software tools
• Strong knowledge of grants management tools and processes.
• An attitude of continued improvement and experience with project management principles and software.
• Able to work effectively and efficiently, mindful of details, both as a member of a team and independently.
• Experience managing/supervising staff, including making hiring recommendations; providing coaching, training, and mentoring; and managing performance.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to set priorities and manage multiple tasks. 

Senior Manager: 

• Bachelor degree and 7 or more years of grant and contract experience, preferably in an academic environment or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Manager: 

• Bachelor degree and 5 or more years of experience with research grant and contract knowledge or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software including SharePoint.
• A working knowledge of the University including M-Pathways, M-Reports, Business Objects, eResearch, FINPROD, and the NIH Commons.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software including SharePoint.
• Research Administrator certification
• Experience with a diversity of sponsors and mechanisms such as NIH and DOD, foundations, and industry.
• A strong financial/accounting background especially in sponsored financials and federal requirements.
• Knowledge of managing sponsored, general, auxiliary, and gift funds.

Monday - Friday

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate.

The Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Michigan Medicine is firmly committed to advancing inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and belonging, which are core to the culture and values of the Medical School Office of Research. Our community supports recruiting and cultivating a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the diverse people of Michigan and the world. We strive to create a work culture where each team member feels respected, valued, and safe.

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings.  Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations, and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research, and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

About University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

A great university is made so by its faculty and staff, and Michigan is recognized as one of the best universities to work for in the country. The Michigan culture is known for engaging faculty and staff in all facets of the university to create a workplace that is vibrant and stimulating.For two consecutive years, the Chronicle of Higher Education has placed U-M in its "Great Colleges to Work For" survey. In particular, the university earns high marks for strong relations between faculty and administrators, a collaborative system of governance, strong pay and benefits, and a healthy work/life balance.

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