New Job Team Leader In Tennessee

Team Leader
Team Leader

Team Leader

Company : University of Tennessee
Salary : Details not provided
Location : Tennessee

Full Description

: This position exists, to enhance the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s research enterprise through ongoing assistance to faculty, staff, and graduate students. Additionally, the Team Leader assists the Directors within the Division of Research Administration (DRA) and the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Administration with items related to externally-sponsored research activities. This position is responsible for the daily management and oversight of sponsored program administrator staff. The Team Leader provides day-to-day team supervision and will have accountability for the quality of unit work, development of standards, scheduling and prioritization of assignments, and the evaluation of staff and unit output. This position is responsible for onboarding and training new staff coordinators, guiding their progression on the department’s career path, and coordinating with Directors on performance evaluation and recommendations for promotion. Key components of the role are leadership and influencing the development of research administration processes and procedures. This position is integral to reaching the research goals for UTK.


Leadership within the Division of Research Administration:

  • Conducts performance appraisals of coordinators to evaluate staff. Develops performance improvement plans, when necessary, and manages other varied HR-related issues.
  • Delegates effectively and holds direct reports accountable.
  • Approves time off for direct reports and approves time off in electronic reporting system.
  • Provides onboarding, training, mentors, and manages day-to-day functions and workload allocation of sponsored program administrators with different levels of experience.
  • Develops cross-training opportunities to ensure critical tasks are covered and career ladder opportunities are provided.
  • Plans, organizes, directs, reviews, and approves the work of sponsored programs administrators. Provides problem-solving support to staff.
  • Ensures sponsored programs compliance requirements are being met and works with other University offices to resolve issues.
  • Works in conjunction with Directors to identify, facilitate, and provide campus trainings to convey critical information, assistance, and advice to faculty, researchers, and staff related research administration.
  • Listens, leads, supervises, and fosters teamwork to develop talented, service-oriented professionals.
  • Communicates priorities and procedures to direct reports
  • Participates in sharing of experience and knowledge of research administration best practices with other campuses within the University of Tennessee System. Coordinates inter-campus projects with counterparts at other campuses across the State.
  • Addresses daily issues with Cayuse internal electronic proposal routing and submission system and OSPREY internal award logging and tracking system.

Proposal/Award Review:

  • Serves as one of the signature authority on proposal documents.
  • Reviews, approves, and submits proposals directly to sponsors.
  • Ensures that the proposed budget is consistent with the University’s policies and procedures, is consistent with the technical proposal, and the costs are fiscally sound.
  • Ensures cost sharing arrangements have been approved and documented.
  • Verifies all compliance issues have been addressed.
  • Assists faculty and staff with proposal and budget preparation as needed.
  • Ensures that the proper forms for proposals have been completed and all components adhere to sponsors guidelines.
  • Ensures that appropriate representations and certifications are completed correctly.
  • Facilitates review of award terms and condition acceptance when submitted at time of proposal.
  • Works closely with the Research Development Team.

Award Focus:

  • Reviews and negotiates contracts, grants, and other awards from commercial, State and Federal government agencies, foundations, etc.
  • Provides evaluation and interpretation of contract and grant requirements and terms and conditions.
  • Verifies all compliance issues have been addressed and that the contract is consistent with the proposal.
  • Resolves any discrepancies between contract and proposal.
  • Assists faculty and staff in minimizing risk to the department and the University.
  • Addresses financial requirements of contract, including payment terms.
  • Handles non-financial post-award administration of contracts, grants, and other awards.
  • Reviews and grants No Cost Time Extensions (NCTE) following the sponsors’ guidelines.
  • Reviews re-budget requests and determine if sponsors approval is required. If required, works directly with sponsor.
  • Oversees the process of subawards issued to other institutions.
  • Monitors reports to identify projects previously setup on an advance account.
  • Prepares documents for entry of awards and amendments into the electronic research administration system, which becomes the University’s reporting system for external funding.

Interpretation and Implementation of Policies and Procedures

  • Maintains working knowledge of all applicable cost principles, regulations, guidelines, and proposed changes to such.
  • Interacts with faculty and departmental staff to promote, monitor, and train on sponsored program issues.
  • Provides leadership in identifying, evaluating, and deploying best practices and innovative processes to support the missions of the University while ensuring high standards of compliance with University, state, and federal guidelines.
  • Assesses risk and initiates changes to internal policies and processes where appropriate.
  • Contributes to the development and reporting of departmental trends and statistical analysis.
  • Serves on various committees to address sponsored program-related issues.
  • Participates in professional organizations to stay abreast of industry issues and best practices.
  • Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Detailed knowledge and comprehension of pre- and post-award sponsored programs administration and experience with grant and contract policies of major federal, state, and private sponsors and knowledge of federal regulations.
  • Ability and proficiency in using sponsor-specific online systems such as Grants.gov, Research.gov, NSPIRES, etc.
  • Ability to motivate others and promote teamwork
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to multitask in a fast paced working environment
  • Proven ability to manage competing priorities, manage several complex projects simultaneously, and meet time sensitive deadlines
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills with a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with others at various levels and disciplines, both within and outside the University
  • Ability to review, critique, and analyze proposals for accuracy, completion, and compliance with policies and procedures
  • Ability to develop budgets, provide financial recommendations, and provide insight to support decision making for faculty on sponsored programs matters.
  • Ability and experience in negotiating and administering various types of contracts, awards, grants, and other types of agreements

Preferred

  • Knowledge of and working familiarity with DOE National Labs
  • Knowledge of and experience working in an academic institution with preference given to experience working in a Central Sponsored Programs office
  • Skill and experience in conducting training workshops

Education/Experience

  • Bachelors required (any relevant field of study will be considered)
  • Masters (any relevant field of study will be considered) and CRA preferred

Required level/type of experience and/or years of experience

  • A bachelor's degree and 8 years of experience working in an office of sponsored programs administration (or equivalent); or working in academia, research institute, foundation, federal contractor, and/or national laboratory environment.

Preferred level/type of experience and/or years of experience

  • A master’s degree and 8 years of experience working in an office of sponsored programs administration (or equivalent); or working in academia, research institute, foundation, federal contractor, and/or national laboratory environment. Preference will also be given to individuals with: certification as a research administrator (CRA), previous supervisory experience.

Supervisory/Work Direction Responsibilities

  • This position has supervisory responsibilities and is responsible for staff performance management.