The Director of Post Award and Compliance will oversee post-award management and compliance for externally funded projects. This position ensures adherence to financial compliance, federal and institutional regulations, and best practices across all stages of award administration. The Director will play a pivotal role in providing strategic guidance and operational oversight to support the university’s growing portfolio of sponsored projects and research activities.
This position requires a solutions-oriented leader who thrives in a collaborative environment and demonstrates a commitment to streamlining processes and enhancing operations through technology. The Director will contribute to fostering a culture of accountability and excellence in research administration.
Principal Duties & Responsibilities
- Post-Award Administration: Manage financial and programmatic compliance for sponsored projects, including budgeting, invoicing, effort reporting, and financial reporting.
- Policy Development: Create, implement, and update policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure adherence to OMB Uniform Guidance, export controls, conflict of interest, bio-safety protocols, and research ethics requirements.
- Solutions-Oriented Leadership: Address challenges proactively, streamline workflows, and collaborate with stakeholders to create efficient and effective solutions.
- Technological Proficiency: Identify, implement, and manage technological tools to enhance compliance monitoring, reporting, and post-award administration.
- Education & Training: Develop and deliver training programs for faculty and staff to promote awareness and understanding of compliance and post-award requirements.
- Committee Administration: Serve as the administrator for the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).
- Collaboration: Partner with faculty, finance, and other university departments to ensure cohesive post-award management.
- Reporting: Monitor, analyze, and report on compliance activities and post-award performance, recommending improvements where necessary.
- Support for Research Growth: Contribute to initiatives that promote research funding and foster the effective management of sponsored projects.
- Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Attributes
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
- Experience in sponsored programs administration, particularly in post-award management and compliance.
- Grants and contracts accounting principles, audit procedures, and related financial accounting or post-award accounting experience.
- Demonstrated ability to adapt and manage technological resources to improve operations and compliance processes.
- Familiarity with federal funding regulations, including OMB Uniform
- Guidance and agency-specific requirements (e.g., NSF, NIH).
- Solutions-oriented mindset with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
- Strong organizational and project management capabilities, with a focus on efficiency.
- Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills to foster collaboration and build consensus.
- Expertise with research administration systems (e.g., Cayuse, Grants.gov, Pivot) and financial management tools, with a willingness to learn and leverage emerging technologies.
Unusual Working Conditions
Deadline-oriented position may require evening and weekend work as needed.
This job posting provides an overview of the role’s general nature and expected tasks. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all duties performed. The university reserves the right to modify or reassign job responsibilities at any time. This posting description does not constitute an employment contract, either explicit or implied.
Sacred Heart University is a space that respects and embraces differences, recognizes the unique contributions that individuals can make, and creates a community that maximizes the potential of all faculty and staff. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the wider world in which we live.