Director of Research and Sponsored Programs

The position supports the Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School by assisting University faculty, research staff, administrators, and graduate students in securing and administering extramural support for their scholarly, research, teaching and community service activities. The position is responsible for overseeing all pre and post-award financial and administrative activities supporting grants, cooperative agreements and contracts, and day-to-day management of seventeen professional and classified staff. The position serves as the liaison between ORSP staff, principal investigators, deans, and other administrators who focus in whole or in part on research matters. The position also is the principal University of Maine liaison with the Council on Government Relations (COGR) and the National Association for University Research Administrators (NCURA).

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Compliance. Monitors and interprets state and federal regulations regarding sponsored research and recommends and implements procedures to ensure University compliance. Establishes standards and protocols to meet contractual obligations to sponsors (governments, foundations, NGOs, professional societies, and individuals).
  • Growth. Expands and increases sponsored activity (research, instruction, other) in order to optimize the dissemination and provision of knowledge to University community members (students, faculty, staff, administrators) and maximizes the recovery of facilities and administrative costs related to sponsored programs.
  • Government Relations. Advocates for University programs before civic leadership at state and national levels. Develops data necessary for effective advocacy. Recommends advocacy approaches to VPRDGS, faculty and staff. Assesses progress. Communicates directly with Congressional Delegation staff and with the University’s consultant in DC.
  • Departmental Administration. Directs the activity of a department that functions in a highly dynamic environment and performs four primary functions: (1) the preparation/submission of proposals; (2) the management of awards (grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts); (3) the provision of information for decision-makers; and (4) the sponsored programs training of University personnel.
  • Counsel. Advises the VPRDGS on other select subjects not specified above, including state and federal legislative issues.

Knowledge, Skills & Qualifications:

Typically, the person occupying this position has the education associated with a Doctorate or professional degree. Typically, the person will possess more than seven years of relevant professional experience in grants and contracts administration. This position does not require a professional license or certificate. Relevant work experience may substitute for advanced degrees. Analytical and critical thinking skills and demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff and external sponsors is essential as is a working knowledge of email, spreadsheets, electronic databases and the internet. Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment and initiate and manage multiple proposals that have deadlines for submission while implementing numerous award agreements that are under steady scrutiny from leaders within, and outside, the University. Work requires considerable judgment, initiative creativity and ingenuity. The ability to effectively multitask is essential.

Position Type: On-going, base-budgeted, non-represented-professional.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This is a management position. Person occupying the position has direct supervisory responsibility for four professionals, indirect supervisory responsibility for thirteen professionals, indirect supervisory responsibility for one classified employee, and indirect supervisory responsibility for up to four student workers.

Work Environment/Dynamics: Work is extremely difficult and complex. It is often performed to meet sponsor deadlines. Frequent interruptions will often shift work focus. The person occupying this position uses authority delegated to him by the President and VPRDGS to ensure compliance with local, state and federal regulations - the breach of which could result in major audit findings, questioned costs and, ultimately, sizeable fines to the University.

Work Year: Full-time, fiscal year appointment.

Work Schedule: Full-time, within the normal University of Maine hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.  Work outside normal hours (to include nights and weekends) may be necessary in order to meet the requirements of this position. The employee shall establish regular office hours and in consultation with the supervisor adjust the work schedule as appropriate.

Schedule for Evaluation:  The schedule for evaluation is set by the VPRDGS in consultation with the Director of Human Resources according to policies established by the University of Maine System.

Appropriate background checks are required.

All UMS employees are required to comply with applicable policies and procedures, as well as to complete applicable workplace related screenings, and required employee trainings, such as Information Security, Safety Training, Workplace Violence, and Sexual Harassment.

Materials must be submitted via "Apply For Position" at https://umaine.hiretouch.com/job-details?jobID=40763&job=director-of-research-and-sponsored-programs .  You will need to create a profile and application; upload a cover letter and a resume/curriculum vitae which fully describes your qualifications and experiences with specific reference to the required and preferred qualifications; and provide contact information for three professional references. You will also need to complete the affirmative action survey, the self-identification of disability form, and the self-identification of veteran status form. Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Full consideration will be made for applications received by June 11, 2017. Federal regulations require that only U.S. citizens and permanent resident are eligible for employment in this position.

The University of Maine is an EEO/AA Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.