Assistant Director, Proposal and Award Management

The University of Southern Mississippi is currently accepting applications for the position of Assistant Director, Proposal and Award Management.

Position Details LocationHattiesburg

118 College Drive
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 39406-0001
United States DivisionOffice of Research Administration Position TypeStaff Employment StatusFull Time Grant FundedNo Posting Close DateOpen Until Filled

Job Summary
Supervisesproposal submission and approval process in accordance with applicableguidelines and regulations to secure external funding for USM. Leads contract negotiations for complexcontracts and serves as point of contact with projects involving the USMResearch Foundation. Assists with staff, departmental, and faculty training.Resolves problems and concerns in areas related to external funding, andclearly communicates policies, procedures, and regulations. Assists Director byassuming additional duties and managing special projects as required.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities
1. SupervisesContracts and Grants Coordinators and Contracts and Grants Administrators inpreparation and submission of proposals for external funding, includingbudgeting, forms preparation and review. Assures internal review and approvalof proposals prior to submission to sponsor. Monitors staff workload andrecommend adjustments to the Director as necessary. Ensures compliance withuniversity, federal, and sponsor guidelines and regulations, including but notlimited to sponsor deadlines. Takes the lead in submission of unusually complexproposals. Serves as an Authorized Organizational Representative to approveproposal submissions on behalf of the University.

2. Supervisesaward acceptance of external funding. Takes the lead in negotiating complexcontracts. Coordinates with legal counsel, Office of Technology Development,and others as necessary. Serves as point of contact with projects involving theUSM Research Foundation.

3. Staysabreast of new issues emerging within research administration (i.e., OMBCirculars, FAR clauses, sponsor specific terms and conditions) and providestraining for faculty and staff.
4. Assumesadditional duties and special projects (examples may include meetings withexternal sponsor officials, principal investigator training, business processesand workflow, drafting documents for internal and external purposes, electronicsystems changes and upgrades). Represents the office on university committees andto external organizations.

5. Supervisesstaff to ensure efficient and compliant non-financial award management, such as subaward preparation, project and administrative changes, and projecttransfers.

6. Communicatesand cooperates with postaward accountants, other ORA staff, and PI/PDs toensure smooth and accurate transmission of proposal and award information. Resolvesproblems and questions related to specific funded projects or to externalfunding in general.

7. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications Associate’s degree with five years’ experiencein research administration, and three years’ supervisory experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability tocommunicate effectively (oral and written) with people from a wide variety ofeducational and occupational backgrounds
  
• Ability tomeet deadlines while performing multiple tasks simultaneously
  
• Attention toaccuracy and detail
  
• Ability tomaintain confidentiality, and to understand, convey and advise on complexregulations, policies and procedures
  
• Ability toprovide quality and timely service to constituents
  
• Proficiencyin Microsoft Office tools such as Word and Excel
  
• Travel issometimes required, both day trips and overnight trips
• Some evening work(past 5:00 p.m.) may be necessary

Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’sdegree and five years’ experience in university research administration withemphasis on preaward administration, and five years’ supervisory experience.

SupervisoryResponsibilities:
Contractsand Grants Coordinators (2)
Contracts andGrants Administrators (4)

About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is a comprehensive public research institution delivering transformative programs on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites in central and southern Mississippi, as well as online. Founded in 1910, USM is one of only 130 universities in the nation to earn the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education's "R1: Doctoral Universities - Very high research activity" designation, and its robust research enterprise includes experts in ocean science and engineering, polymer science and engineering, and sport venue safety and security, among others. USM is also one of only 40 institutions in the nation accredited in theatre, art and design, dance and music. As an economic driver, USM generates an annual economic impact of more than $600 million across the state. USM welcomes a diverse student body of approximately 15,000, representing 71 countries, all 50 states, and every county in Mississippi. USM students have collected four Truman Scholarships and 36 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships, while also leading Mississippi with 24 Goldwater Scholarships, an honor that recognizes the next generation of great research scientists. Home to the Golden Eagles, USM competes in 17 Division I sports sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For more information, visit www.usm.edu.

As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer/Americans with Disabilities Act institution, The University of Southern Mississippi encourages minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities to apply.