POSITION SUMMARY:

Directs, plans, and coordinates the activities of the Office of Sponsored Projects and provides professional expertise in the area of federal contracts and sponsored research.  Develops and administers procedures designed to comply with appropriate regulations relating to the administration of government and private research grants and contracts and for the interpretation and application of such procedures and regulations.  Consolidates and oversees all future pre-award research activities into a single entity.

POSITION KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

1. Develops strategic plans, unit performance goals, objectives and measures.  Evaluates plans and unit performance against measures and makes adjustments as necessary.  Establishes department priorities and assigns work appropriately.
2. Prepares operating budgets, operating plans, and management reports.  Evaluates expenditures and related activities to ensure compliance with University policies and procedures and ensure efficient and effective use of resources.
3. Provides oversight and guidance on the structure and practices of the various sources of research grants.  Consults with principal investigators on their fiscal responsibilities and practices.
4. Interprets and communicates to the UTHSCH community changes in procedures and policies affecting sponsored projects to ensure compliance with governmental requirements.
5. Serves as the University signature authority and oversees the negotiation of the terms of grants, contracts, subcontracts and agreements on behalf of the University.  Acts as the liaison between the principal investigators, the University and funding agencies by providing justification, documentation, and policy/guideline interpretation.
6. Oversees the review and interpretation of non-standard award document terms and conditions for compliance with State and University fiscal and administrative policies.
7. Acts as UTHSC- Houston’s steward to protect the University’s research funding.
8. Analyzes the forecasts emerging funding trends.
9. Develops new policies to assure compliance with federal regulations.
10. Serves as UTHSC’s “Single Point of Contact” for most sponsor awards.
11. Plans for and coordinates the future consolidation of all pre-award research activities into a single entity.  This includes the identification and dissemination of research opportunities and the development of educational programs and informational materials.
12. Manages Human Resources activities for direct reports in regards to: recruiting and selection, hiring and termination, training, professional development, mentoring, counseling, performance evaluations, and salary planning.
13. Responsible for the design, execution and effectiveness of a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that operations are effective and efficient, assets are safeguarded, financial information is reliable and compliant with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
14. Performs other duties as assigned.

None

MINIMUM EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration.  Masters degree in business administration, law or public administration preferred.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE:

Eight years experience in the preparation and processing of research grant and contract proposals and their administration including two years in a supervisory role, preferably with budgetary responsibility.

SECURITY SENSITIVE:

This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215.