The University of Mississippi — fondly referred to as Ole Miss — stands as a premier public research institution with a proud legacy of academic distinction. We are devoted to nurturing a vibrant, inclusive community where every member — student, faculty, and staff — can achieve their fullest potential.

Job Summary:

The Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Administration (AVC-RA) is a senior leadership position within the Office of Research and Economic Development at the University of Mississippi. Reporting directly to the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development (VCRED), the AVC-RA provides strategic guidance and coordination for the University’s sponsored programs administration infrastructure and serves as a key partner in advancing the institution’s research mission.

The AVC-RA is responsible for supporting effective stewardship, compliance, and operational excellence of sponsored projects throughout the award lifecycle, with primary coordination for post-award administration and research financial management. The position works closely with pre-award administration, procurement, finance, compliance, and academic leadership to promote an integrated and service-oriented research administration environment that supports faculty success while maintaining the highest standards of regulatory compliance and fiscal stewardship.

As a senior research administration executive, the AVC-RA serves as a strategic advisor to university leadership and plays a critical role in supporting the continued growth of the University’s research enterprise through operational excellence, process improvement, risk mitigation, and customer-focused service delivery.

Job Description:

Strategic Leadership and Research Administration

• Provide strategic guidance and coordination for sponsored programs administration operations and related research administration initiatives.
• Advise the VCRED and other university leaders on matters involving sponsored programs administration, research operations, financial stewardship, compliance, and institutional risk.
• Develop and implement strategies that support the University’s goals for research growth, competitiveness, and operational excellence.
• Promote a culture that balances regulatory compliance, accountability, efficiency, and exceptional customer service.
• Champion organizational change initiatives designed to improve research administration processes and faculty support.

Post-Award Administration and Research Financial Stewardship

• Coordinate post-award administration functions, including award acceptance, account establishment, financial monitoring, invoicing, reporting, effort certification, cost sharing, subrecipient monitoring, award modifications, and closeout activities.
• Ensure compliance with federal regulations, sponsor requirements, state laws, and institutional policies governing sponsored projects.
• Maintain effective internal controls designed to safeguard sponsored funds and mitigate institutional risk.
• Coordinate institutional responses to sponsor reviews, audits, monitoring activities, and compliance assessments related to sponsored programs administration.
• Monitor emerging regulatory developments and help implement appropriate operational and policy responses.

Sponsored Programs Coordination and Collaboration

• Foster strong coordination between pre-award and post-award functions to ensure seamless support throughout the sponsored project lifecycle.
• Collaborate with academic units, principal investigators, research centers, and administrative offices to improve the effectiveness and consistency of research administration services.
• Partner closely with Contracts and Grants Accounting, Finance, Research Compliance, Internal Audit, Procurement Services, Information Technology, and the Office of General Counsel.
• Serve as a senior institutional resource on sponsored programs administration matters and support strategic decision-making involving sponsored activities.

Research Procurement Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with Procurement Services to develop and maintain research-focused procurement practices that support sponsor requirements, scientific acquisition needs, and institutional compliance obligations.
• Serve as a key research administration liaison to Procurement Services on matters involving sponsored projects, federally funded acquisitions, scientific equipment, specialized research materials, sole-source justifications, and subawards.
• Identify opportunities to streamline procurement processes affecting sponsored projects while maintaining compliance with Uniform Guidance, state purchasing requirements, and university policies.
• Promote effective communication and coordination between researchers, research administrators, and procurement professionals.

Systems, Analytics, and Process Improvement

• Provide leadership for systems and technologies supporting sponsored programs administration and related research operations.
• Utilize data analytics and performance metrics to assess effectiveness, identify trends, improve service delivery, and support institutional decision-making.
• Champion modernization initiatives, including workflow improvements, process automation, and implementation of best practices.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators for sponsored programs administration operations.

Leadership and Organizational Development

• Provide leadership, guidance, mentoring, and professional development for staff within sponsored programs administration functions.
• Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing professionals.
• Establish clear performance expectations, accountability measures, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment that supports innovation, professional growth, and operational excellence.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, sponsored programs administration, research finance, compliance, procurement, or related research operations.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing complex administrative operations within a research-intensive university, academic medical center, federal laboratory, government agency, or similarly complex organization.
• Extensive knowledge of federal sponsored project requirements, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), sponsor regulations, financial compliance requirements, and research administration best practices.
• Demonstrated experience leading organizational improvement initiatives and managing institutional risk.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA), CPA, or comparable professional credentials.
• Experience coordinating both pre-award and post-award sponsored programs administration functions.
• Experience supporting significant growth in externally funded research programs.

Core Competencies

• Strategic leadership and organizational effectiveness.
• Expertise in sponsored programs administration and research operations.
• Financial stewardship and regulatory compliance.
• Risk assessment and mitigation.
• Relationship management and stakeholder engagement.
• Process improvement and change management.
• Data-informed decision-making.
• Service-oriented leadership.

Reporting Relationships

• Reports to the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development.
• Provides oversight as assigned for Sponsored Programs Administration personnel and functions.
• Collaborates closely with the Director of Sponsored Programs (Pre-Award), Contracts and Grants Accounting, Procurement Services, Finance, Research Compliance, Internal Audit, Information Technology, the Office of General Counsel, and academic leadership across the University

A cover letter and resume are required for consideration.

Job Responsibilities:

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or higher from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, sponsored programs administration, research finance, compliance, procurement, or related research operations.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing complex administrative operations within a research-intensive university, academic medical center, federal laboratory, government agency, or similarly complex organization.
• Extensive knowledge of federal sponsored project requirements, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), sponsor regulations, financial compliance requirements, and research administration best practices.
• Demonstrated experience leading organizational improvement initiatives and managing institutional risk.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA), CPA, or comparable professional credentials.
• Experience coordinating both pre-award and post-award sponsored programs administration functions.
• Experience supporting significant growth in externally funded research programs.

Education Qualifications:

Master's (Required)

Experience:

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