Lead Research Administrator - Psychology & Biobehavioral Sciences

Better at Work. Better at Life. 

When you work at St. Jude, you’ll join a highly collaborative work culture that inspires you every day to be your best.  With opportunities for learning and growth, you can shape a career path that is right for you while also enjoying all the benefits and stability of working for a world-class institution. This includes work-life balance with generous paid time-off and on-campus conveniences that make life a little easier. Join us and you’ll quickly see why St. Jude is consistently ranked by our employees on Glassdoor as a “Best Place to Work.”   

The Lead-Research Administrator will independently support investigator proposal submission efforts in response to unsolicited application guidelines, requests for applications, public announcements, and requests for proposals from a variety of sponsors of varying complexity. Independently negotiates standard and more complex terms and conditions associated with federal contracts and other non-industrial sponsored agreements consistent with institutional policy and practice, that are programmatically and fiscally responsive. Prepares or initiates document templates and other resource needs.

The ideal candidate has been directly involved in the grant submission process in a research setting, experience with NIH related grants submission/administration, and clearly and effectively communicates ideas and requests to stakeholders and colleagues. This position requires great attention to detail, outstanding communication skills, proficient use of various software technologies and the ability to prioritize and efficiently manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Job Responsibilities:

• Manage/ lead operations related to administration of grants and sponsored programs through planning and management of resources.
• Manage activities related to grants and sponsored programs (e.g., review of proposal documents including budget, monitoring of subawards, award lifecycle management).
• Support grant-related activities (e.g., preparation of proposals, cross-functional coordination for proposal development and submission).
• Develop, prepare, revise, and finalize project budgets and provide budget justifications.
• Coordinate proactively with cross-functional teams (e.g., principal investigators, research groups) to prepare monthly, quarterly and annual reports.
• Review award progress, monitor project changes and ensure allowability of expenditures.
• Lead process improvement within own team by developing and implementing SOPs, policies, and systems for efficient and effective delivery.
• (People Managers only) Mentor team members to allow for skill/knowledge development through advice, coaching, and training opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned to meet the goals and objectives of the department and institution.
• Maintains regular and predictable attendance.

Minimum Education and/or Training:

• Bachelor's degree required.

Minimum Experience:

• Minimum Requirement: 5+ years of experience managing multiple processes within financial administration as applicable to grants and contracts.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams.
• (People Managers only) Some experience managing or mentoring people.
• Proven performance in earlier role.

Licensure, Registration and/or Certification Required by Law:

• None

Licensure, Registration and/or Certification Required by SJCRH Only:

• None

Special Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Ability to think critically, draw insights and connect the dots. Openness to change and adapting to changing times with resilience and flexibility.
• Demonstrates strong knowledge/skills within area on a consistent basis to solve complex problems independently
• Able to draw insights from different sets of data and quickly understand why issues are happening. Solves problems quickly by identifying the root causes. Encourages others to see the opportunities ahead amidst changing circumstances even when the details have not been finalized.
• Skills in communicating complex ideas effectively to diverse audiences and influence others to see different points of view.
• Leads team meetings on an as needed basis and effectively communicates with cross-functional teams for results. Understands and uses digital tools of communication as needed. Speaks up in meetings, raises concerns, and shares information with team.
• Focus on setting high targets, following through with actions, and achieving results. Ability to anticipate roadblocks and circumvent challenges.
• Remains calm in challenging and uncertain times by focusing on the end goals and solving problems. Defuses any unforeseen developments and problems by leveraging data analysis and insights. Maintains focus on goals. Drives engagement and ownership for group to deliver ambitious results and solutions.
• Understanding of contract terms and conditions. Skills in drafting, reviewing, negotiating, amending and interpreting general agreements.
• Leverages advanced knowledge/ skills within area to identify and implement new/improved processes/approaches
• Strong understanding of contract management, agreements and negotiation. Drafts clinical trial contracts and/or proposes new contract language. Negotiates Federal Contracts to ensure appropriate FAR clauses are incorporated and a variety of common contractual issues related to standard template agreements. Implements, uses, and manages contract lifecycle management software system and contract repository.
• Skills in managing people, establishing goals and objectives, giving feedback and having frequent career conversations.
• Learns on the job and applies skills in routine tasks and activities; delivers under supervision and guidance
• Plans workload for team and gives clear instructions and expectations on delivery. Frequently reviews work, gives positive and constructive feedback, and completes evaluations. Coaches and supports the development efforts of each team member.
• Knowledge of relevant regulatory compliance and documentation requirements relevant for scope of work. Skills in applying relevant laws and regulations (e.g., federal, state, financial protection laws) and best practices.
• Proactively keeps track of changing regulatory and quality standards to align processes for compliance within own area. Effectively monitors compliance with financial regulatory requirements and reports issues. Utilizes reports and manages documentation to efficiently monitor financial compliance requirements within own function/ department.
• Familiar with grant documents, electronic grants process and standard budgeting procedures. Ability to facilitate the link between research activities and research outcomes.
• Deep understanding of policies, practices and concepts related to research administration. Applies contracts and grants concepts to review complex contract and grant proposals and obtain/verify necessary compliance approvals. Interprets information in requests for applications/proposals and communicates critical information. Promotes the use of best practices in administration.
• Knowledge of financial systems, tools and processes. Strong understanding of financial reporting and budgeting. Ability to evaluate reports and data to identify business issues.
• Uses deep understanding of financial systems, tools and processes. Deep skills in closing and advanced financial reporting and analyses; strong grasp of reporting standards. Manages technically complex accounting and reporting issues/ processes. Develops documentation, procedures and instructions.

Compensation

In recognition of certain U.S. state and municipal pay transparency laws, St. Jude is including a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This is an estimate offered in good faith and a specific salary offer takes into account factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the salary range and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $78,000 - $139,360 per year for the role of Lead-Research Administrator (Psychology & Biobehavioral Sciences).

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St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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