Position Classification Description

Position Class Code / Title: B8038 / Dir,Sponsored Projects
Recruitment Tier: Tier 1
FLSA: Exempt
Grade: 17
HR Review/Approval:COMP

This is a description of a Staff Position Classification. It is not an announcement of a position opening. To view descriptions of current openings, please go to UNMJobs and Search Postings to view positions that are currently accepting applications.

The following statements are intended to describe, in broad terms, the general functions and responsibility levels characteristic of positions assigned to this classification. They should not be viewed as an exhaustive list of the specific duties and prerequisites applicable to individual positions that have been so classified.

Summary

The Director of Sponsored Projects has responsibility for the direction of the entire operations of the Office of Sponsored Projects. This position operates with broad authority; serves as the official chief negotiator for the University and has delegated signatory authority from the Chancellor for Health Sciences and/or the Vice President for Research, for external funding proposals, contracts, grant documents, and other agreements for sponsored projects, and proposal funding approval authority. This position has delegated authority as official Senior Contract Review Officer and contract/grant approval authority, from the Chancellor for Health Sciences and the EVP for Administration.

Duties and Responsibilities

  1. Provides leadership and vision to a diverse team of staff involved in review, approval, negotiation and administration of research, educational, and public service proposals, grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, subawards and may include ancillary research agreements such as material transfer agreements, confidentiality agreements and data transfer agreements 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. Sets strategic goals for the office of Sponsored Projects and leads efforts to achieve those goals.
  3. Aligns departmental goals with the university's mission statement and provides guidance, training and mentorship to managers and staff in areas of expertise
  4. Contributes as a strategic member of an administrative leadership team serving as a consultant to executive management and senior personnel on matters of significance.
  5. Makes executive decisions and judgments regarding the resolution of highly complex, urgent, administrative and operational issues that may require a high degree of initiative and flexibility.
  6. Reviews and approves detailed documents, proposals, reports, high-level analyses of trends and/or related complex materials to assist in decisions.
  7. Responsible for implementing and maintaining a departmental budget and ensuring projects are completed within budget guidelines.
  8. Responsible for providing strategic reports and recommendations to UNM's administration on the activity in assigned areas.
  9. Responsible for program development and evaluation.
  10. Represents the department on university and community committees and responds to university needs, requirements and requests to identify priorities.
  11. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Job Requirements

  • 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.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

  • Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and management skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills.
  • Skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures.
  • Broad knowledge of all functions and operations within the Office of Sponsored Projects.
  • Knowledge of public services contracting and pre-award processes, including all federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to human subject research contracts.
  • Demonstrated ability to plan, lead and manage major, high-impact research and medical research contract and grant negotiations.
  • Strong analytical, critical thinking, project management and decision making skills
  • Ability to apply judgment and make decisions affecting function or procedures in all aspects of the position.
  • Ability to resolve complex problems and issues.
  • Ability to create, evaluate and modify complex research and medical research contracts
  • Ability to develop and present educational programs and/or workshops.

Distinguishing Characteristics

    Position requires: a) leadership and oversight for Sponsored Projects Office b) interaction and collaboration with executive level staff and faculty in initiatives affecting sponsored research projects; c) making executive decisions and judgments related to sponsored projects activities; d) oversight of the Sponsored Projects Office budget.

Conditions of Employment

  • Employees in this job title are subject to the terms and conditions of an employment contract. Employment contracts are typically subject to review and renewal on an annual basis.
  • 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.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

  • No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
  • No or very limited physical effort required.
  • 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: 09/23/2020