Director of Operations - Research & Sponsored Programs

Director of Operations, Research and Sponsored Programs

Directs day to day operations of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.

Oversees internal funding, pre-award and post-award processes, and ORSP budgets to serve researchers and assure compliance with grant specifications.

Develops, documents, and implements internal control procedures and standard operating procedures to ensure fiscal, regulatory, confidentiality, and security accountability.

Creates procedures to maintain and track research compliance in areas such as human subjects, animal care and use, and biosafety.

Develops strategies and processes to optimize operations for the department.

Plans and implements programs of education and training for researchers.

Oversees preparation and submission of grant proposals.

Work is performed under general supervision and performance is based on the effective operation of the administrative function.

The performance evaluation is conducted through the performance evaluation system and in accordance with the University Policies & Procedures.

Reports to: Vice Provost for Research, Innovation, & Corporate Engagement

Supervises: Coordinator, Internal Funding Operations; Assistant Director for Pre and Post Award

ESSENTIAL DUTIES - May include, but not limited to the following:

• Oversee operations and budget of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
• Manages pre-award, award, and post-award processes for internal and external grants and sponsored programs.
• Maintains office data for reporting and data integrity and accuracy.
• Develops and analyzes reports for administration, faculty, departments, and funding agencies.

Collaborates with principal investigators and ORSP staff to develop and submit proposals, including electronic submissions; to develop budgets according to funding guidelines; and to assure research compliance.

• Provides review and on-time submission of proposals to assure accuracy and compliance with program announcement, TWU policies, and federal regulations.
• Oversees content of web pages for the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
• Oversees preparation and maintenance of official grant files.
• Responds to inquiries and provides direct assistance to research faculty on all TWU campuses.
• Assists Vice Provost for Research, Innovation, and Corporate Engagement in planning activities of the office.
• Manage workload of ORSP staff.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of research administration information systems.
• Requires exceptional written and oral communication skills along with attention to detail and strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Interprets and applies complex directives, policies, regulations, statues, and procedures.
• Responsible for establishing job standards for staff and effectively evaluating staff under charge. The performance evaluation is conducted through the performance evaluation system and in accordance with the University Policies & Procedures.

• Performs other duties as requested.

Bachelor’s degree required.

Master’s degree preferred.

Five years of research administration experience.

Ongoing education through workshops, training in special programs and technology, preferred.

Regular and reliable attendance at the University during regularly scheduled days and work hours is an essential function of this position.

All employees share the responsibility of maintaining information security and privacy requirements within the university by adhering to Federal and State regulations, and TWU Policies & Procedures.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES - The following are essential:

• Ability to plan, direct, and evaluate a complex operation, using human resources, time, funds, and other resources for the accomplishment of long-term and short-term goals of the institution.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with students, faculty, staff, and the public.
• Ability to provide administrative guidance within area of responsibility, providing direct training and supervision as needed.
• Ability to apply budgetary and fiscal planning techniques within financial constraints.
• Ability to organize work effectively, conceptualize and prioritize objectives and exercise independent judgment based on an understanding of organizational policies and activities.
• Ability to integrate resources, policies, and information for the determination of procedures, solutions, and other outcomes.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally, by phone, in person, and in writing in a transparent and collegial manner.
• Ability to use a personal computer and other office equipment, including University related systems and email.

The physical demands described in the Essential Duties and below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

The employee may be required to travel.

All employees are responsible for maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment, including sexual harassment

TWU promotes a safe working environment.

Employees are responsible for completing assigned tasks safely and efficiently, and supervisors are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment.

Employees must report any unsafe work conditions or practices, as well as any near-miss incidents, to their supervisor and Risk Management.

Supervisors and employees should ensure that injury/accident reports are submitted to the Office of Human Resources and Risk Management within 24 hours of the incident.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Texas Woman’s University, an AA/EEO employer, provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected category, class or characteristic. All offers of employment will be contingent on the candidate’s ability to provide documents which establish proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Positions at Texas Woman’s University deemed security-sensitive require background checks and verification of all academic credentials. If you are a male between the age of 18 and 25, federal law requires that you must be registered with the U.S. Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions under Selective Service law. Under HB 558, enacted by the 76th Texas State Legislature, if you are currently of the age and gender requiring registration with Selective Service, but knowingly and willfully fail to do so, you are ineligible for employment with an agency in any branch of Texas state government. For additional information regarding registration or status, you can contact the Selective Service System at 847-688-6888 or www.sss.gov.