Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Administration
UNC Charlotte
Part-Time
Closes on Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Job Description
Under the Associate Vice Chancellor’s direction, the AVCRA oversees and directs the Office of Research Services (ORS) and the Office of Sponsored Projects Administration (OSPA), supervising 4 direct reports who oversee approximately 43 staff members and are responsible for staffing and employee development. ORS and OSPA are responsible for the management of pre- and post-award grant administration; contract negotiation, facilitating faculty and staff participation in extramural grant seeking; fiduciary responsibility to all external funding agencies and in compliance with state and federal guidelines; ensuring appropriate use of extramural funds; and maintenance of the University’s reputation and integrity.
The AVCRA will provide leadership, strategic and visionary direction for ORS and the OSPA as well as oversee the fiscal and non-fiscal management and administration of externally funded programs, including implementation of policies and organizational management. The AVCRA will lead efforts to provide the highest level of support for the University research community by developing streamlined and transparent processes for research administration; fostering a culture of problem-solving and teamwork; and advancing professional development and mentoring opportunities for research support professionals. The AVCRA will work with the ORS and OSPA management teams to develop and fine-tune internal systems and procedures to promote efficiency in workflow, including procedures related to automated processes to minimize duplication and manual processes.
Among the key priorities for the new AVCRA will be:
- Driving continuous improvements in the quality and effectiveness of administrative services provided to the campus.
- Developing and leading strategic planning initiatives to anticipate and respond to the rapidly changing federal regulatory climate with an increased emphasis on compliance and documentation.
- Formulating and implementing new processes and policies required by changes in the federal and/or state regulatory environments, and changes in research and sponsored business processes and policies to enhance service; monitor activities with appropriate metrics and evaluation techniques; and continuously assess performance and make improvements.
- Partnering with other offices in the Division of Research (Center for Research Excellence, Office of Research Protections and Integrity, and Office of Research Commercialization and Partnerships).
- Maintaining a strong working knowledge of external sponsor regulations and functioning as a liaison at the national level by participating in national and regional forums for policy discussions and dissemination of best practices. Remaining abreast of current federal regulations and pending changes, Federal Acquisition Regulations, Code of Federal Regulations, and Cost Accounting Standards.
- Directing the preparation of F&A proposals and fringe benefit rate proposals and negotiating with the cognizant federal agency.
- Facilitating discussions between faculty principal investigators, colleges, departments, and external funding agencies to interpret and communicate policies and procedures or specific agreement terms for institutional implementation.
- Establishing and maintaining positive, effective relationships with faculty and staff, all units within the Division of Research, sponsor agencies, sponsored program staff at UNC, the UNC System Office, and non-UNC System campuses, as well as with those outside North Carolina and the United States to facilitate the work of research administration at the University.