Research Administrator Senior

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Mission Statement

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Job Summary

The Division of Cardiovascular Medicine (CVM) at the Department of Internal Medicine, Michigan Medicine is seeking a Research Administrator Senior to join its Pre-Award Team.

The Division of Cardiovascular Medicine has a growing and robust research program, serving over 130 faculty, $24 million in yearly sponsored research expenditures during FY2024, and a significant volume of non-sponsored activity. Sponsored funding is comprised of awards from National Institutes of Health, industry sponsors, and multiple foundations such as American Heart Association. Clinical trials will be managed in collaboration with the Heart, Vessel, and Blood Clinical Trials Support Unit (CTSU).

This position provides vacation, sick, and holiday time, as well as the full range of benefits provided by the University of Michigan. In addition, Cardiovascular Medicine pays competitive salaries, commensurate with experience and boasts a culture of acceptance, openness, and flexibility. Our pre-award team is very supportive of each other and CVM faculty are professional, friendly, and approachable.

Responsibilities*

This position reports to the Pre-Award Research Administration Manager. This position works very closely with faculty and project teams in preparing sponsored research proposal applications. This position will also interact with the Grants Administration staff in the Department of Internal Medicine, the Medical School Grants Office, and ORSP. Additionally, this position will interact with the Clinical Trails Support Unit (CTSU).

Pre-Award Responsbilities:

• Review and communicate sponsor instructions and deadlines for applications
• Provide comprehensive coordination of all aspects of proposal submissions
• Prepare all administrative components of the proposal package, including the PAF, budget, subcontracts, and compile and submit completed proposal packages
• Work closely with faculty, coordinators, staff and students in proposal planning
• Produce complex budgets, detailed budget justifications and costing documentation to meet sponsor requirements, and guide faculty on appropriate budgetary items to include
• Maintain reliable tracking for multiple iterations of budget and other documents to support the proposal submission
• Ensure proposal compliance with all applicable sponsor and University requirements, regulations and deadlines
• Serve as liaison with sponsors, collaborators, and ORSP
• Guide and track timely submissions through University and sponsor systems
• Participate in budget and contract negotiations, including clinical site activity, with sponsors, as appropriate
• Prepare and process Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) agreements
• Assist with Unfunded Agreements such as non-disclosure agreements, material transfer agreements, and data use agreements in eResearch
• Contribute to process improvement initiatives within Research Administration.

Post-Award Responsibilities:

• Reconciling faculty and divisional accounts utilizing M-Pathways and Business Objects. This includes general, sponsored, gift, designated, and auxiliary funds.
• Ensure compliance with accounting regulations and standards (e.g., Uniform Guidance guidelines, UM Cost Accounting Standards, specific sponsor guidelines) for all expenditures.
• Set up new awards, including sub-project/grant requests, subcontracts, consulting agreements, hardship requests, and cost-share.
• Work closely with PIs to review award contracts, provide financial management and projections, and offer analysis and advice/guidance on best practices for post-award management.
• Monitor personnel project effort following university and sponsor policies.
• Compile financial information to process transactions such as budget allocations, appointment change requests (PAR), journal entries, and Award Change Requests (ACRs).
• Analyze and complete Uniform Guidance and financial status reports and assist PIs with progress reports (RPPRs).
• Assist with other ad hoc reports as requested by division and department.
• Act as a resource for other staff.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 5 years of pre-award research administration experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience

• Understanding of pre-award and post-award research administration and policies, including experience with NIH salary and other NIH specific spending, Uniform Guidance, effort reduction, and budget restrictions

• Experience using typical business software such as Excel, Adobe, and Word; in particular, advanced skills using Excel

• Successful candidates will also have the following character traits:

• Strong integrity, proactive, and high attention to detail

• Able to manage competing priorities and deadlines

• Strong sense of ownership and accountability for workload

• Flexible and resilient in the face of change

• Exercise excellent independent judgement

• Appropriately discern when to ask questions or ask for help

• Appropriately handle confidential and sensitive information

• Foster team cohesiveness and positive morale

• Successful candidates will also possess the following skills:

• High degree of analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills

• Excellent customer service skills and exceptional communication skills

• Strong follow-through and follow-up skills

Desired Qualifications*

• Preferred candidates will have exposure to a wide variety of sponsors including National Institutes of Health (NIH), American Heart Association (AHA), Foundations, Department of Defense (DOD), industry contracts, and clinical trials
• Knowledge of pre-award activities involved with sponsored research projects including U-M policies and procedures
• Experience working with Ann Arbor VA split appointments

Why Join Michigan Medicine?

Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world's most distinguished academic health systems. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.

What Benefits can you Look Forward to?

• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
• 2:1 Match on retirement savings

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Work Locations

This position is eligible for a remote work arrangement.

Background Screening

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.