Job Duties:

The Senior Sponsored Programs Officer (SSPO) functions in a high-level professional capacity to facilitate research and sponsored activity across the University while constantly striving to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of research administration services and to minimize institutional financial and reputational risk. The SSPO is a research administration subject matter expert (SME) who provides supervision, training, guidance and mentoring to Sponsored Program Officers in the central office and training, guidance and mentoring to college-level Hub administrators to ensure best practices in pre-award administration, award acceptance and modification. The SSPO provides the final institutional review of grant and contract proposals before submission to ensure responsiveness to sponsor requirements, the appropriate application of costing principles, the ethical conduct of project activities, and compliance with government and sponsor regulations and UNC System and ECU policies regarding sponsored activity. Specific job responsibilities are:

- Manage an assigned sponsored projects portfolio, focusing on final proposal review and submission, award acceptance, and post-award modifications.

- Review, modify as necessary, and accept unilateral sponsored project agreements and prepare for signature routine bilateral contracts with external governmental, philanthropic, and corporate funding entities. Assist the Contracts Officer in negotiating non-routine bilateral funding agreements.

- Provide supervision, expert guidance, training and mentoring to Sponsored Program Officers in the Office of Research Administration. This includes establishing performance goals, monitoring performance, approving time in Kronos, documenting successes or areas of improvement and issuing annual performance reviews.

- Provide expert guidance, training and mentoring to Hub and other unit administrators and non-Hub supported faculty regarding fundamental approaches to successful grantsmanship and policies and procedures related to crafting, constructing, and submitting high-quality grant proposals and contract bids; in interpreting sponsor application requirements and preparing proposals and budgets (including addressing compensation/time allocation issues, cost-sharing, choice and application of F&A rate); and in utilizing sponsor form sets, electronic proposal submission systems, and sponsor grant management systems. Maintain/share knowledge of award management practices with these constituents to inform effective project design and development and assist them as necessary in negotiating internal approval procedures for proposal submission.

- Identify and communicate with internal and external personnel whose cooperation is key to proposal success. Collaborate with Hub administrators and other unit administrators, associate deans for research, center/institute directors, and external points of contact to ensure investigators preparing proposals are fully supported. Consult with University personnel to address issues that may interfere with proposal submission. Professionally balance the criticality of institutional processes with firm proposal submission deadlines.

- Provide the final institutional review of funding proposals submitted by Hub administrators and non-Hub supported faculty for compliance with sponsor and University requirements. Using a variety of electronic systems, submit proposals to sponsors on behalf of the institution under delegated authority from the Chancellor and the Director of Pre-Award Services.

- Conduct, facilitate, manage, and document official communication with external funding entities to monitor and, as needed, to assist Hub and other administrators in coordinating revisions to the budget, aims, work plan, project dates, and deliverables associated with sponsored projects.
- Assist and advise Hub and other administrators, non-Hub supported faculty, and project teams in the non-financial aspects of award management.

- Develop and recommend solutions to problems that confront ORA, Hub and other administrators, investigators, and project teams. Identify personnel with knowledge, responsibility, and authority (e.g. University leadership, administrative services, institutional risk management, university attorneys, and compliance offices), translate and interpret challenges as they relate to sponsored projects, and link such personnel with Hub and other administrators, investigators, and project teams for problem resolution.

- Ensure comprehensive and accurate official University records of proposal submissions and award receipts in the Electronic Research Administration (eRA) system to ensure quality data for operational and strategic planning and assessment purposes. Provide training and support to Hub administrators and faculty regarding eRA system navigation and use.

- Participate effectively in reviewing, developing and/or updating institutional policy and procedures to ensure application of best practices in pursuing and managing sponsored projects and in complying with federal and state requirements.

- Develop and disseminate information, documentation, and tools that improve the practice of research administration, including but not limited to SOPs, FAQs, and flowcharts.

Special Instructions To Application:

East Carolina University requires applicants to submit a candidate profile online in order to be considered for the position. Candidates must also submit a cover letter, resume, and a list of three references, including contact information, online.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Minimum Education/Experience:

Post-Baccalaureate degree, plus 5 years of progressively responsible professional level experience in a university, academic medical center, or non-profit research institute in a Pre-Award or combined Pre- and Post-Award environment; or related experience in a governmental or non-profit setting required; for candidates demonstrating comparable professional-level background in sponsored research administration, will accept a relevant undergraduate degree and 7 or more years of relevant experience in substitution.

Full time or Part time: Full Time

Position Location (city): Greenville

Position Number: 500025

Organizational Unit Overview:

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, Economic Development and Engagement (REDE) is responsible for research policy and integrity, research administration and contract negotiations across ECU for both the main campus and the health sciences campus. The division directs new intellectual enterprises, including technology transfer. Industry, military and government agency research partnerships and community engagement and economic development activities across the eastern half of North Carolina are also managed by the division. REDE is responsible for the following units under its umbrella: Office of Research Administration, Office of Human Subjects Protections, Office of Research Integrity & Compliance, Office of Research Development, Office of National Security & Industry Initiatives, Office of Economic & Community Engagement, , Office of Licensing & Commercialization, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, Office of Undergraduate Research, and the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee.