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Title: Director, Sponsored Programs Administration & Research Compliance – 999119
Position
Number: 999119
Unit/Department: Office of Sponsored Programs Administration & Research Compliance
(SPARC)
FTE: Full-time
Department Summary:
The Office of Sponsored Programs
Administration & Research Compliance (SPARC) plays an important role at Drake University, providing our faculty, staff, and students
with comprehensive guidance and support as they pursue and conduct research and scholarly activities.
SPARC works collaboratively
with Drake University’s research community and provides the highest-quality customer service and technical expertise in five primary areas:
Pre-Award, Post-Award, Research Compliance, Technology Transfer, and Training.
To learn more about SPARC, visit: https://www.drake.edu/sparc.
Job Summary:
The Director will be an
innovative, forward-thinking leader who can bring their ideas and perspectives to this vital office. Reporting to the Deputy Provost of
Academic Affairs, the SPARC Director is responsible for directing the University’s efforts in grant development and procurement, grant
management and oversight, and strategic planning and partnerships.
Candidates holding tenured faculty positions are encouraged to
apply. Consideration for tenure and dual appointment within one of Drake University’s academic units will be reviewed by the subject
academic unit and the Provost consistent with the institution’s needs and the qualifications of the candidate.
The search committee
is particularly interested in candidates who, through their research, teaching, and/or service, will contribute to the diversity and
excellence of the academic community.
Access a detailed position profile here.
Minimum Qualifications:
Our new Director will have:
- A Master’s degree.
- At least three years of experience in grant management, finance, clinical research, project
management, or other relevant leadership or academic functions. - Demonstrated collaborative spirit and ability to work with
multiple stakeholders. - Demonstrated track record of organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to meet
deadlines.
Desired Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
- The Director will have excellent
organizational skills and an eye for innovation and process-improvement. - The Director will possess well-developed communication
skills and the ability to support and collaborate with research faculty, grant managers, and academic leaders. Prior experience directly
supervising staff and mentoring would be very beneficial. - The Director should possess a thorough understanding of current public
policy issues in the research arena. - Experience with the grant cycle, research compliance, training, and higher education is
strongly preferred. Experience negotiating awards and industry contracts is also strongly preferred. - The successful candidate will
possess knowledge-or express the ability and interest to gain such knowledge-of federal regulations and OMB Uniform Guidance relevant to
university sponsored programs. The Director will also be effective in explaining regulations and applicable guidance to others. - We
are interested in reviewing a wide range of applications, including candidates who display high potential for success in this role, even if
they may not already possess all the desired qualifications identified here.
Don’t meet every item on the list? That’s okay.
We encourage you to apply if you have relevant experience and a strong desire to gain additional experience and skills needed to be
successful in this role.
Core Responsibilities:
20% – Lead, design and oversee the execution of a
university-wide public and private grants program in keeping with the needs, priorities, and competencies of the institution and its faculty
and staff. Efforts range from finding grant sources and informing appropriate individuals; collaborating on and overseeing the development
and writing processes; and assisting with final grant production, presentation, approval. Work closely with College Dean’s in developing
college wide extramural expectations. – (Essential)
15% – Provide oversight and faculty and staff support in grant and sponsored
program activities to include contract and subcontract preparation, negotiation, and recommendation for acceptance. – (Essential)
10% – Research and interpret funding opportunities and requests for proposals from government agencies and foundations to determine
appropriateness for the university; evaluate and recommend how best to respond. – (Essential)
10% – Gather background data, research
laws and legal requirements as specified in OMB 2 CFR 200, and formulate policies affecting the university. Work with internal personnel to
ensure effectiveness of policies and prepare for final approval. Distribute/communicate approved policies as required. – (Essential)
10% – Manage Sponsored Programs staff who coordinate pre- and post-award actions and oversee all post-award activities. University
wide research compliance – (Essential)
10% – Communicate to the campus, colleagues, agency representatives and others benchmarks –
success rate, submission rate, annual awards; represent the University with independent auditors, funding entities & other
internal/external liaisons. – (Essential)
10% – Ensure compliance with Federal Research regulations related to human subjects
protection and animal care and use. Develop policies and procedures to ensure operational compliance. – (Essential)
5% – Develops
and conducts workshops, presentations and trainings on grant development, research regulations and technology transfer. – (Essential)
5% – Manages technology transfer efforts in order to assist faculty in intellectual property protection, product commercialization,
and patent development. – (Essential)
5% – Serve as Drake Universities Research Integrity Officer to the Federal Office of Research
Integrity. Perform other duties, as assigned. – (Essential)
Salary & Benefits
The salary will be
competitive with peer schools. We anticipate the starting salary will be at least $100,000. The final offered salary will be dependent upon
the qualifications and experiences of the selected candidate. At Drake, we are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible
dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of core benefits, perks, and discounts. If you are considering
applying for this position with Drake University, we invite you to spend a little time with our digital benefits guide:
At Drake, we
are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of
core benefits, perks, and discounts. If you are exploring a job with Drake University, we invite you to spend a little time with our digital
benefits guide: Drake Benefits Guide (Plan Year 2024).
One of our very popular policies provides a tuition
waiver for Drake employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents. Drake also participates in not one, but two tuition exchange programs
available to dependent children. You can learn about both the tuition waiver policy and tuition exchange programs here: Tuition Benefits.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
To apply,
you must complete the online application and attach: (1) a cover letter, (2) CV/Resume, and (4) the contact details for three
references.
Please do not attach additional documents at this time. Supplemental documents may be requested or required of
finalists.
All job offers are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check, satisfactory reference checks, and proof
of work authorization.
If you have questions about the application process, this position, or working at Drake University, please
contact us at [email protected].
Review of Applications & Anticipated Start Date:
For
full consideration, please complete your online application apply by March 15, 2024.
The anticipated start date is on or around June
1, 2024. However, we would be happy to explore an earlier start date, so the new Director could have some overlap with the retiring
Director.
For faculty positions, selection will depend on the receipt of recommendation confirming the candidate’s scholarly
achievements and teaching abilities and/or on the candidate’s satisfactory passing of a teaching demonstration if selected for an on-campus
interview. For staff positions, selection will depend upon careful review of each applicant’s references, education, and, if applicable,
experience.
About Drake:
Drake University is recognized as a top private university in the Midwest. Drake is
a midsize university in Des Moines, Iowa, with an increasingly diverse student body. We are deeply committed to equity and inclusion and
creating a sense of belonging for all members of the campus community-faculty, staff, and students alike. More than 900 faculty and staff
are part of the Bulldog pack, a close-knit group of colleagues enthusiastic about preparing students to be global citizens and leaders,
challenging assumptions. Drake University is not only an outstanding institution of higher learning, it is also a wonderful place to work.
We are enthusiastically committed to welcoming new ideas and people into the fold, and to retaining and rewarding stellar employees.
All positions at Drake provide opportunities to contribute to Drake University’s core mission of creating an exceptional learning
environment that prepares students of all backgrounds for meaningful lives and professional accomplishments.
Diversity,
Equity, & Inclusion at Drake:
At Drake University, we don’t just accept differences-we celebrate them, we support them, and
we thrive on them for the benefit of our students, our employees, and our community. Drake University is proud to support an equal
opportunity, diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. In fact, the celebration of diversity and inclusion are embedded in our
Core
Values. Learn more about our DEI commitment and efforts here.
We welcome applicants of diverse
backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. If you are a member of a socially or historically underrepresented or marginalized group or you
have actively demonstrated a commitment to diversity and inclusion, we strongly encourage you to apply. If you are a member of one of the
equity groups identified by applicable law, we encourage you to self-identify, where requested in our online application
system.
Drake University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its services, programs, activities,
education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. If you would benefit from an accommodation at any point in the recruitment
process (including using our online application process), please contact Drake Human Resources (ph: 515.271.3133; e: [email protected])
and let us know how we can assist you.
At Drake University, we highly value a diverse, inclusive workforce. We are proud to be an
equal opportunity employer. We stand firmly against discrimination including on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, religion,
age, disability, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any
characteristic protected by law.
