Research Administrator

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

Unit: School Of Nursing

Department: Research

Duties & Responsibilities:

The School of Nursing is seeking a dedicated, dynamic individual to support post-award grant administration, reporting to the Administrative Director in the Office of Research, Scholarship and Innovation (ORSI), and working closely with our unit’s Finance Office.

This Research Administrator position expects significant levels of independence supporting the day-to-day management of research portfolios and programs. Their decision-making has a significant impact on service delivery.

This position ideally has comprehensive knowledge of research administration, management, and compliance. Success in this role will be distinguished by the ability to handle the complexity of assigned work; to identify options and develop solutions for unique or unprecedented situations; greater decision-making authority; and the judgment, resourcefulness, and ability to identify issues and/or areas that should be addressed differently. This position is typically responsible for overseeing and coordinating all administrative and financial affairs related to post award research management (in consultation with the unit’s finance office), with opportunity to develop or enhance internal processes that could improve daily operations (or even project specific needs).

More specific duties within post award management will include: producing and analyzing monthly reports, purchasing and encumbrance management, personnel funding management, participant compensation, MCV Foundation fund management, submitting journal vouchers, and more.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience in research or grants administration, or related experience in a relevant field.
• Ability to effectively financially manage a portfolio of post-award projects.
• Ability to utilize Banner, RealSource, RAMSpot, and other VCU administrative systems as well as Microsoft systems, such as Excel, and Google Suite.
• Ability to follow and apply applicable federal, state, and university policies as well as sound fiscal practices.
• Ability to identify and determine action items for compliance, financial conflict of interest, human participants and animal subjects.
• Ability to review data and communicate sometimes complicated information to others in an understandable way. This would also include assisting to disseminate information regarding changes to research policy and procedures.
• Work exhibits a high level of organization, attention to detail, and capability to be interpreted by others who may not have the same fiscal knowledge.
• Willingness and initiative to address issues through problem-solving and taking ownership of the outcome in coordination with supervisor and applicable team.
• Ability to attend work in-person at least three days per week.
• Ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively in a large complex organization with the capability to work both independently and as a contributing member of a team where multiple projects and competing deadlines may exist. This may include coordinating meetings with faculty, directors, and other units to mitigate issues.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance, business, or related field.
• Experience with fiscal management and post-award grant administration functions, ideally at VCU.
• Experience using VCU systems such as Banner, RealSource, RAMSpot, and others.
• Successful work history demonstrating effective fiscal and post-award management.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) certification.

Application Deadline: November 16

Salary Range: Commensurate with experience starting at $70,000

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Bruna Soria Galvarro
Contact Email: soriagalvaba@vcu.edu