ASSISTANT DIRECTOR RESEARCH ADVANCEMENT

Assistant Director Research Advancement

Arizona State University

The School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy

Campus: Tempe

100909BR

Job Description

The School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy (SEMTE) is seeking an Assistant Director (AD) to join the team and serve in a leadership role in the advancement of critical research initiatives. SEMTE is a school in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering and is shaping the next generation of experts in biological design, aerospace, mechanical, chemical, and materials science and engineering.

In collaboration with leadership, this position will promote the strategic advancement of meaningful research and sponsored activity. The successful candidate will have demonstrated success in building a collaborative and forward-thinking team. The AD is also responsible for integrating research support services within the school and is the primary contact for any significant pre- and post-award concerns. The AD assists with leading the planning, training, and implementation of administrative and operational initiatives pertaining to research administration.

This is a high-level career-track position (Level 4 of 6) with opportunities to increase complexity based on job performance.

Working at ASU has additional perks and outstanding benefits, which include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; sick leave and holidays; ASU/UA/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members, state and optional retirement plans; access to ASU recreation and cultural activities; and more. To estimate the value of the total compensation, please visit https://cfo.asu.edu/compensation-estimator.

Engineering will consider a relocation stipend for candidates on a case-by-case basis.

Salary Range

$79,000 - $95,000 per year; DOE

Close Date

09-May-2024

Essential Duties

Personnel Management/Supervision

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the research enterprise in SEMTE. The SEMTE research team currently has three Pre-Award staff and four Post-Award Staff.
• Responsible for personnel actions in accordance with university policies.
• Conduct employee reviews and make recommendations on promotions and annual merit increases.
• Design, coordinate, and support team development by providing training for department staff.
• Provide expert guidance and counsel to staff when issues, questions, or other matters arise relating to proposals, awards, and contract negotiations.
• Setting strategic team goals to improve work methods and procedures.
• Evaluate work methods and procedures and set clear team goals.
• Foster a positive team climate by working collaboratively.

Leadership

• Lead new administrative initiatives impacting research administration and compliance.
• Provide research data to drive decision-making.
• Provide specific guidance and strategic focus for research administration to leadership.
• Serve as a resource for the resolution of issues related to sponsored research, including both pre-and post-award at all levels.
• Manage operational initiatives and processes in pre-award and post-award areas.
• Responsible for the budgeting and forecasting process of faculty discretionary accounts for the school.
• Develop, direct, and implement policies and procedures relative to pre- and post-award operations within the School.
• Collaborate closely with the SEMTE school leadership, business office, and HR to influence change management as needed within the school's processes.

Communications

• Exercise the highest level of discretion in dealing with sensitive and/or confidential information concerning professional and personal issues.
• Work closely with the SEMTE leadership team to identify challenges and solutions to meet the school's goals.
• Respond to requests timely using highly effective interpersonal communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills and methods.
• Proactively takes the lead on needed tasks, such as updating sponsor-specific documents and drafting correspondence that will be disseminated to the faculty.

Workload in either Financial Account Support or Pre-Award/Proposal Support

Financial Account Support

• Manage a complex portfolio of accounts; analyzes and prepares reports.
• Monitor and approves expenditures and various financial processes related to sponsored projects.
• Forecast account to avoid deficits and provide information to end users for decision-making.

Pre-Award/Proposal Support

• Responsible for the development, preparation, and submission of research proposals.
• Serve as an Administrative resource to investigators and provide guidance and counsel during development and proposal submission.
• Assist with post-submission action items requested by the sponsor, such as just-in-time requests, revised budgets, scope of work changes, and additional certifications.
• Manage cost share, limited submissions, and internal funding initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field AND six years administrative experience in a field appropriate to the area/unit of assignment, which includes three years of supervisory experience; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in taking the initiative, being diplomatic, proactive, and effectively managing stressful situations.
• Experience in work that requires organization, time management, and detail orientation.
• Evidence of effective communication skills.
• Evidence of analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Evidence of supervision, including leadership, team coordination, and performance building.
• Demonstrated knowledge of policies and regulations pertaining to proposal, grants, and contracts administration.
• Demonstrated knowledge of budgetary principles, practices, and procedures.
• Experience in managing large international collaborations and complex multi-sub award projects.
• Experience working across multiple disciplines in a transdisciplinary environment.
• Experience working in higher education.
• Experience in preparing and producing complex/detailed documents, financial reports, spending projections, and related materials for a high volume of awards.
• Experienced problem solver who takes initiative, manages a complex workload effectively and set priorities while being flexible.

Flexible work options are available after at least the first ninety (90) days.

• Alternative work schedules can include four 10-hour workdays in a workweek, a nine-day, 80-hour schedule over two workweeks for exempt employees only, and staggered start and stop times.
• Hybrid work is an arrangement where employees spend a minimum of 60% of their regular workweek at their primary ASU work location. Dean or vice president-level approval is required.

Department Statement

The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering is the largest producer of engineering and technical talent in the nation and seeks to deliver a world-class learning experience for our students and to advance research and innovation – all at scale. We value and emphasize inherently interdisciplinary endeavors that leverage the breadth and depth of expertise among our outstanding faculty, and have built a unique place for large-scale innovation characterized by foundational excellence and translational impacts. We are an engineering school on the rise at the most innovative university in the country and in the heart of the nation’s fifth largest metropolitan area. The scale of our faculty research interests and interdisciplinary mindset, combined with more than 48 graduate degree programs and 25 undergraduate degree programs, provide the foundation for knowledge generation and collaborative opportunities to advance new ideas.

The Fulton Schools of Engineering, located across ASU’s Tempe and Polytechnic campuses, is comprised of seven schools based on academic programs and research areas. Fulton Engineering has a nationally recognized faculty that conducts research, instructs and mentors students, provides service to engineering, computing and technology professions and creates lasting impacts across local and global communities.

The Fulton Schools of Engineering follows a framework of values designed to distinguish our practice and guide daily decisions in our academic, research, corporate engagement and entrepreneurial endeavors. These values influence how we recognize, reward and communicate our achievements. At the Fulton Schools of Engineering, we:

• Cultivate excellence. 
• Deliver innovation that matters. 
• Encourage bold thinking.
• Foster a community of learning and collaboration. 
• Build a foundation for all to be successful.

Working at ASU has outstanding benefits that include: health, dental and vision insurance plans; ASU/UA/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; life insurance and disability programs; sick leave and holidays; state and optional retirement plans; access to ASU recreation and cultural activities, and more. To estimate the value of your total compensation, please visit  https://cfo.asu.edu/compensation-estimator.

ASU Statement

Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 100,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions intellectual and cultural diversity, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.

ASU is a tobacco-free university. For details visit https://wellness.asu.edu/explore-wellness/body/alcohol-and-drugs/tobacco

Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

Notice of Availability of the ASU Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.

Relocation Assistance – For information about schools, housing child resources, neighborhoods, hospitals, community events, and taxes, visit https://cfo.asu.edu/az-resources.

ASU conducts pre-employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.

Background Check Statement

ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check.

Fingerprint Check Statement

This position is considered safety/security sensitive and will include a fingerprint check. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the fingerprint check.

Instructions to Apply

Application deadline is 3:00PM Arizona time on the date indicated.

Please include all employment information in month/year format (e.g., 6/88 to 8/94), job title, job duties and name of employer for each position.

Resume should clearly illustrate how prior knowledge and experience meets the Minimum and Desired qualifications of this position.

ASU does not pay for travel expenses associated with interviews, unless otherwise indicated.

Only electronic applications are accepted for this position.

IMPORTANT NOTE: What is the meaning of “equivalent combination” in the minimum qualifications? It means one year of higher education or 24 credit hours, is equal to one year of experience. For example, a four year Bachelor’s degree is equal to four years of experience.

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