Summary

This is an expert/advanced level position in a sponsored research office which may have supervisory oversight over day-to-day technical, administrative, and operational aspects in one or more functional areas including, but not limited to: funding information; regulatory compliance; proposal preparation and processing; award negotiation and acceptance (including contracts and subcontracts); and award setup. This is a core function with university wide scope. Positions in this classification are reserved for the Office of Sponsored Projects use only and have delegated signatory authority from the Chancellor for Health Sciences and/or the Vice President for Research for all sponsored projects.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Guides, trains, leads, and may supervise the work of an individual(s) or diverse team of staff involved in review, negotiation and administration of research, educational, and public service proposals, grants, cooperative agreements and contracts and the provision of technical and administrative guidance and support to faculty and staff seeking outside funding for research, public service, and special sponsored institutional projects.
2. Provides assistance, guidance and counsel during development, pre-submission administrative review, management, authorization and transmittal of grant and contract proposals to federal, state, and private funding agencies.
3. Verifies and ensures ongoing compliance with all applicable regulatory and financial compliance requirements imposed on Institutions of Higher Education including, but not limited to: sponsor, UNM Policies & Procedures, state and federal regulations.
4. Actively participates in the negotiations of terms providing recommendations, assistance and solutions during negotiations as necessary.
5. Reviews and interprets regulations and guidelines of program funding for grants, cooperative agreements and contracts and/or other award documents to determine budget, invoicing schedule, restrictions and other pertinent information.
6. Reviews and approves grant and contract award terms and conditions, renewals, detailed documents, proposals, reports, and/or related materials.
7. Provides training and mentorship to assigned staff and/or to internal and external constituencies on areas of expertise.
8. Defines tasks, responsibilities and outcomes; documents activities and tracks progress.
9. Responds to highly complex situations and solves problems involving numerous and sometimes competing needs while being flexible.
10. Assists in resource planning to meet the needs of project or department goals and schedules.
11. Interacts with senior internal and external personnel on significant technical matters and serves as a consultant on policies, plans, and objectives.
12. Makes administrative/procedural decisions and judgments within broadly defined practices & policies in selecting methods, techniques & evaluation criteria for obtaining results.
13. Manages and coordinates contract set up and maintenance through the resolution of award-related, administrative, and operational issues among stakeholders.
14. Participates in the negotiation and execution of complex research contracts, which may include human subject research, Federal contracts, or pharmaceutical based clinical trial agreements.
15. May prepare, review and/or approve complex analysis of trends to assist in decisions.
16. May supervise individuals and/or administer a team, to include allocation and prioritization of work, recommendations for hiring, firing, performance evaluation, training, and problem resolution.
17. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree; at least 5 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.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Advanced knowledge and understanding of grant funding policies and procedures and applicable University, Local, State and Federal regulations, guidelines, and policies covering contracting and granting process for public institutions.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, computer data base systems and of computer-aided research administration systems.
• Knowledge and understanding of financial analysis, intellectual property rights laws, guidelines, and policies.
• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to present information effectively to groups.
• Project management, budget preparation and fiscal management skills and the ability to meet multiple deadlines and resolve complex problems and issues.
• Analytical, evaluative, critical thinking and negotiating skills.
• Demonstrated customer service skills, and ability to influence resolution of complex issues to achieve outcomes and resolve issues.
• Skill in the formulation, negotiation, and establishment of complex, integrated contractual arrangements.
• Ability to effectively respond to highly complex situations involving numerous and sometimes competing university constituencies.
• Ability to utilize strong cross unit knowledge to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments within broadly defined practices & policies in selecting methods, techniques & evaluation criteria for obtaining results.
• Ability to provide technical leadership and training to assigned staff, to include organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments and the ability to foster a cooperative work environment.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Position requires: a) provision of expert guidance, consultation, and quality control to research faculty, staff, and administration regarding all facets of the contracting and granting processes; b) independent review and approval of relatively complex, integrated documents, proposals, reports and related materials; c) independent negotiation and facilitation of relatively complex agreements; e) mentorship and/or supervision of assigned staff; e) preparation and delivery of formal training and instruction on contract and grants administration to faculty and staff.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• No or very limited physical effort required.
• No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

The University of New Mexico provides all training required by OSHA to ensure employee safety.

Revised Date: 11/06/2017