Senior Research Administration Leader

2 weeks ago


Reston, Virginia, United States Commonwealth of Virginia Full time

Department: College of Engineering and Computing

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax

Telework Friendly: Hybrid Eligible

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Chief Business Officer Team within the CEC Office of the Dean plays a crucial role in shaping and executing the financial and operational strategy of the unit. This encompasses a wide array of business functions, including finance, research administration, human resources, operations, and information technology. The CBO is responsible for providing leadership, oversight, and coordination of these functions, while also ensuring the development and implementation of policies and procedures to achieve targeted outcomes. The team collaborates closely with central administration and other university departments to facilitate these objectives.

The Research Administration team, part of the CBO team, is dedicated to assisting faculty with the submission of proposals and the financial management and compliance of their research grants and contracts, all delivered with a strong customer-service orientation. Recently, the college has integrated Pre-Award responsibilities into its operations, aimed at enhancing the research administration framework across the campus. This presents an exciting opportunity for applicants to influence and refine the pre-award processes at the college level while also improving post-award procedures.

The College of Engineering and Computing has seen significant growth in its research portfolio over the past five years, with expenditures exceeding $65M in 2023 and current projects totaling over $120 million across nearly 300 active awards. The college anticipates approaching 400 proposal submissions annually, offering a dynamic environment for research administration.

The college provides exceptional benefits to its employees, including a generous holiday schedule and tuition remission. More information is available at

About the Position:

The Director of Research Administration is responsible for overseeing both pre-award and post-award research administration services for the college. This role involves direct management, leadership, and supervision of staff engaged in pre- and post-award activities related to the college's sponsored projects research portfolio. The Director reports to the Chief Business Officer.

Responsibilities:

Pre-Award Administration: Lead the team in executing pre-award activities to facilitate timely proposal submissions by faculty, ensuring compliance with sponsor and university guidelines. Key tasks include: Developing and aligning CEC Pre-Award Administration policies with University standards; Assigning workloads to Pre-Award Research Administrators for balanced distribution; Conducting training on the Research Administration System for faculty and staff; Collaborating with GMU's Office of Sponsored Programs; Monitoring compliance with regulations; Resolving conflicts among Principal Investigators and administrative staff; and Performing necessary reviews of proposals. Post-Award Administration: Direct the team in managing post-award activities to support Principal Investigators in executing and overseeing their research awards in accordance with sponsor and university regulations. Responsibilities include: Crafting CEC Post-Award Administration policies aligned with University standards; Balancing workloads for Post Award Grant Administrators; Providing training on Research Administration System and MicroStrategy; Collaborating with GMU's Office of Sponsored Programs; Ensuring compliance with regulations; Resolving conflicts among Principal Investigators and administrative staff; and Approving subcontracts and modifications as required. Staff Supervision and Development: Establish processes for the Research Administration team to ensure resources are available to meet responsibilities; Conduct performance reviews per University guidelines, ensuring annual goals are set; Provide ongoing feedback on performance and support staff development through necessary training and resources. Reporting and Compliance: Deliver consistent reports related to the college's research portfolio to leadership; Respond to data requests from college and university leaders; Monitor compliance with regulations; Support strategic initiatives related to sponsored research. Additional duties as assigned to support the college's research portfolio.

Required Qualifications:

Master's degree in a relevant field or equivalent combination of education and experience; Extensive experience in grants and contracts management (typically seven years or more); Proven supervisory and management experience (typically three years or more); In-depth knowledge of federal regulations related to research grants and contracts; Familiarity with University policies and procedures regarding grants and contracts; Understanding of University processes and systems involved in grant submission and management; Strong interpersonal skills with effective communication abilities; Proficient in computer use, particularly MS Office Suite (Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint); Ability to analyze data and draw conclusions; Capacity to assign and prioritize tasks among staff; Skills to influence and motivate team members; Ability to manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously; and Competence in creating verbal and written reports.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in a higher education environment focused on research administration; Certification as a Research Administrator.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the position of Director of Research Administration; complete and submit the online application; and provide a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information.

A Force for Innovation in the Heart of Northern Virginia's Technology Corridor

The College of Engineering and Computing at George Mason University is a rapidly growing entity in research and education, ranked nationally in the top 100 for both undergraduate and graduate programs. The college serves over 10,800 students across 37 degree programs, including several unique offerings. With a faculty of 305 full-time members, the college excels in research areas such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, cybersecurity, and more. The college promotes interdisciplinary research and offers ample opportunities for collaboration across various disciplines.

George Mason University stands as the largest and most diverse public research university in Virginia, with over 40,000 students enrolled in more than 200 degree programs. Recognized for its innovative approach, Mason was classified as an R1 research institution in 2016. The university's campuses in Fairfax, Arlington, and Prince William provide exceptional access to federal agencies and national laboratories, enhancing opportunities for industry interaction. Northern Virginia is consistently rated among the best places to live, featuring an outstanding public school system.

In response to Amazon's establishment of a second headquarters in Northern Virginia, the Commonwealth of Virginia has initiated a multi-year plan to expand degree programs in computing. George Mason University is committed to enhancing its capacity in computing and high-tech fields, launching initiatives such as the Institute for Digital InnovAtion and expanding its Arlington Campus. These efforts reflect significant investments aimed at elevating the university's national standing in computing and related disciplines.



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