Associate Director of Office of Sponsored Projects

Associate Director of Office of Sponsored Projects

The University of New Mexico’s Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR), seeks a motivated, detail-oriented, results-driven, self-starter, and proactive and resourceful individual to join our team as the Associate Director of the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP). OSP’s mission is to support the University’s research mission by providing administration, management, and oversight of extramural sponsored research, under the direction of the OVPR.

OSP provides support and assistance with proposal submission and management of successfully awarded projects. The OSP office works closely with faculty, department administrators and support staff across the Main and Branch campuses to ensure project success and compliance throughout the sponsored projects lifecycle.

The Associate Director directs the integrated pre-award proposals, awards, and contracts and grants functions for the University of New Mexico Main and Branch Campus. This position provides high-level direction, leadership, and consultation to faculty investigators and staff in support of funded research pre-award efforts. This individual oversees and provides leadership in the negotiation and execution of complex research grants and contracts. This position directs and coordinates the resolution of award-related administrative and operational issues among internal and external stakeholders.

Additionally, the Associate Director serves as the official chief negotiator for the University and has delegated signatory authority from the Vice President for Research for external funding proposals, contracts, grant documents, and other agreements for sponsored projects, and proposal funding approval authority. 

Duties and Responsibilities

See the Position Description for additional information.

• Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University's influenza vaccination requirement.

Bachelor's degree; at least 8 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

• 2-5 years in higher education sponsored projects leadership role.
• Master’s degree.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or similar certification.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal public services contracting and pre-award processes, including all associated regulations and guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage major, high-impact, complex scientific research contract and grant negotiations.
• Skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to research  grants and contracts.
• Ability to create, evaluate, and modify complex scientific research grants and contracts.
• Ability to supervise and train employees, including organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments.
• Excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills.
• Employee development and performance management skills.
• Ability to develop and present educational programs and/or workshops.
• Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and management skills.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Project management skills and the ability to resolve complex problems and issues.

Only applications submitted through the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job advertisement on a 3rd party site, please visit UNMJobs to submit an application.

1. Resume

2. Cover Letter detailing how the candidate meets the preferred qualifications of the job posting

3. Three Supervisory References

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html . Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.