Research Administrator - Team Lead, School Of Medicine, Office Of Research Administration

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU's sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education. All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU's generous benefits package that includes: competitive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, Virginia Retirement System (VRS), professional development & certifications, tuition waiver, parental leave, caregiving leave and community service leave. Learn more about VCU's benefits here: https://hr.vcu.edu/careers-at-vcu/why-work-at-vcu/
Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability.
Position Primary Purpose and General Duties:
**Management level Research Administrator - Team Lead** As a member of the School of Medicine (SOM) Research Administration (RA) team, the selected candidate for this position will be responsible for ensuring the pre- and post-award management for an assigned sponsored research portfolio which may span multiple departments, centers, or institutes at VCU.
The selected candidate for this Team Lead position will be responsible for managing a team of 2-3 staff. The Team Lead position reports through an Assistant/Associate Director within the SOM RA Senior leadership team. The focus of this position and the team managed is to support Principal Investigators and study teams in the development and successful submission of proposals for research funding, as well as provide compliant financial and administrative management of funded grants and contracts. The size of the sponsored research portfolio managed by a Team Lead and staff will depend on portfolio complexity, but typically include: 75+ active projects and 75+ proposal submissions per year.
As a Team Lead, the position is responsible for assessing the day to day management needs of the overall portfolio assigned and ensuring equitable distribution of the workload across team members. Additionally, Team Leads will work with their Assistant/Associate Director and the Department Administrator of units assigned to establish routine reporting and meetings to foster open communication related to sponsored research management in all units assigned. Specific functions of this role include:

• Providing direct pre and post award support to an assigned portfolio (estimate ~60% time)
• Oversee, train, and mentor junior Research Administration staff member(s) providing pre and post award support to an assigned portfolio (estimate ~25% time)
• Summary reporting, assessments, communications with administrative leadership of units assigned. (estimate ~5% time)
• Actively participate and contribute to training, process improvement initiatives, or special projects aimed at increasing efficiency and customer service levels to department(s) and investigators supported. (estimate ~10% time)

This position does not require prior supervisory experience. It will provide an opportunity for candidates with prior Research Administration experience to attain supervisory experience while further growing their Research Administration experience in a supportive, fast-paced, and diverse environment. The position will present opportunities for career growth for those presenting a willingness to grow and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives in the field, and work collaboratively with a diverse group of faculty and staff throughout VCU.
This position is eligible for hybrid telework.
Minimum Hiring Standards:

• Bachelor's degree and at least 2 years of direct pre and/or post award Research Administration experience required; including a working knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and OMB Uniform Guidance for Federal Awards.
• Must be proficient in the following areas: budget development, analyze financial transactions for trends and variances; expense forecasting; creating reports and tracking tools; financial reconciliation.
• Must possess ability to interpret and apply complex government regulations and contractual terms.
• Must have excellent customer service skills, written and verbal communication skills, be pro-active in asking questions and seeking guidance when needed.
• Strong problem solving and time management skills are essential, including ability to prioritize and manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Must be precise, thorough, and reliable and perform daily activities with minimal supervision.
• Must be proficient in the use of computers with an ability to learn new systems and software applications with ease.
• Proficiency in the use of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe required.
• Ability to work as part of a dynamic team in a diverse environment required.
• Must have a demonstrated commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in past experiences or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Hiring Standards:

• Master's degree strongly preferred.
• Prefer 3 or more years of direct experience in Research Administration in the areas of proposal development, financial management, effort reporting, and project close-out.
• General understanding of IRB and IACUC policies pertaining to regulatory requirements in animal and human research is a plus.
• CRA certification or ability to pursue within first year preferred.

Position will remain open until filled.
The School of Medicine continuously strives for our workplace and learning environment to reflect the demographic and social milieu of the communities we serve. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
VCU is committed to hiring veterans! VCU will include a veteran's period(s) of military service in the calculation of their annual leave accrual rate. This may provide veterans with an increased leave accrual!