Department: Office for Research
Salary/Grade: EXS/17

Job Summary:

The Assistant Vice President for Sponsored Research (AVPSR) is a pivotal role within the Office for Research (OR), integral to propelling Northwestern's thriving research portfolio, which is supported by more than $1 billion in annual sponsored funding. Importantly, this person will demonstrate strategic vision, a collaborative spirit, and innovative leadership that fosters transparent, open communication and inclusive community-building.

The AVPSR is responsible for all aspects of pre-award and selected post-award grants management, including policy development and implementation; outreach to faculty and administrative staff through training, presentations and informal communications; leading transformative change by creating excellent working relationships between research administration staff in SR, the schools, and other Office for Research units; continued unit web site development; and interaction with federal agencies and other institutions to promote awareness of the national research agenda and solve common problems. The successful candidate will ensure the efficient and effective operations of SR and serves as the Institutional Official (as delegated by the President) in all pre-award and non-financial post-award grants and contracts management areas, including signature authority on all proposals, awards, and other documents related to sponsored project administration.

The Assistant Vice President for Sponsored Research will support the Office for Research mission and values of understanding empathy, modeling accountability, ensuring fairness, embracing community, and valuing creativity.

Please note: This is an exempt position requiring availability on some weekends and after normal working hours and some travel.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Serves as Institutional Official for all pre-award and selected post-award activities, including grants, cooperative agreements and contracts to federal and state agencies, foundations and corporations. Monitors all sponsored projects proposals and awards for compliance with federal agency and NU regulations. Fosters compliant environment by staying abreast of changes in agency regulations, requirements and policies, and by disseminating agency information. Keeps informed of emerging federal issues that will impact NU's sponsored research program. Resolves administrative and management problems that may be complex and that may involve a number of central offices and school departments.
• Ensures that a high level of service support is provided to principal investigators and departmental administrators; establishes standard operating procedures for service delivery; develops and monitors internal performance metrics to ensure high levels of service and accomplishment of objectives. Supervises staff, fostering excellence and effectiveness and optimizing staff skills and organizational structure. Responsible for continuous improvement and change management as staff interact with all constituents. Provides leadership in the area of staff development and continuing education, ensuring that all SR staff interact and communicate promptly and effectively within SR and with other university units and know relevant current regulations and procedures.
• Directly supervises three Senior Directors and two Directors in an office of 68 staff. Responsible for providing education, training and research information for SR staff and NU departments, Schools and Centers through a variety of venues. Plays a critical role in the design and implementation of research administration training programs.
• Works collaboratively with the Senior Director, Business Systems & Operations to identify, develop and implement new and improved systems for proposal development and award management
• Serves as a member of the Office for Research leadership team. Develops and maintains strong collaborative relationships within OR and SR. Reports on important or controversial issues and provides guidance on appropriate actions to resolve the issues. Briefs OR leadership on specific cases of non-compliance when cases may have an impact on the ability to safely and properly conduct research on campus, including cases that may result in negative publicity, regulatory agency penalties, or funding agency sanctions.
• Oversees and manages the annual budget and expenditures for Sponsored Research.
• Works openly and communicates productively with multiple Northwestern Central and school administrative units, including the Office of General Council, Accounting Services for Research and Sponsored Programs and the School Dean's Offices. Represents the Office for Sponsored Research on university-wide committees.
• Represents Northwestern and participates in national task forces and research administration organizations, including the Federal Demonstration Partnership, Council on Governmental Relations and National Council of University Research Administrators. Responds to requests for information in the Federal Register.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
• A minimum of 10+ yrs progressively responsible experience in the administration of sponsored research at a major research university, in the federal government, or at another entity engaged in sponsored research.
• Demonstrated expert level of knowledge of:
• Experience in negotiating government and corporate contracts. Working knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation clauses applicable to agreements with educational institutions.
• Demonstrated experience in supervising and motivating a large number of professional and administrative staff in a team environment. Working knowledge of current management principles and practices, skill in dealing with others in work relationships involving mentoring, conflict resolutions and the ability to make difficult decisions.
• Proven ability to produce and deliver educational and training curriculum and complex information on technical issues to a diverse audience at all levels of the institution.
• Experience in the use, development and implementation of management information systems.
• Experience using technology and developing or utilizing business metrics to improve operations and processes.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment across organizational units and at all levels, including faculty, deans, central administration and senior institutional officials.
• Ability to develop staff and to delegate authority as well as responsibility.
• Proven ability to build internal and external relationships, creating an environment of understanding and acceptance; solicits input from a wide variety of people and functions; seeks inclusionary practices.
• Ability to provide leadership and direction required for facilitating change and ensuring smooth operation of SR.
• Strong management experience and excellent leadership and problem-solving skills.
• Customer-focused and dedicated to providing optimum service. Experience in developing performance measurements and quality service principles.
• Highest level of professional and personal integrity.
• Thrives in a high-volume, fast-paced environment. Is able to handle significant stress and a large workload.
• Basic understanding of office finances.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven experience in change management.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Deep understanding of clinical trials agreements, cost-accounting principles, conflict of interest issues, and effort reporting.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $215,000-$275,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at to learn more.

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Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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