Director of the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs - Research & Sponsored Programs - 21861

ATTENTION:

 

The School of Graduate Studies and Department of Continuing Education at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater seeks a Director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION DIRECTOR, SC043).

 

JOB DETAILS:

 

The Director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) and is responsible for (a) providing supervision, management, and executive presence for the Office of Research and Sponsored programs, (b) leading and supporting the expansion of external grants to support the scholarly and creative endeavors of the university guided by the strategic vision of the academic deans and provost; (c) leading and supporting the campus internal grants and faculty/staff development programs that benefit faculty, staff and the university; (d)  supporting the growth of undergraduate research on the campus, and (e) coordinating campus compliance related to institutional research ethics, biosafety, and research with human subjects and with animals. Reporting to the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education, the Director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs will coordinate grant administration activities to enhance the research productivity of the University and increase internal and external support of scholarly research and creative activity. The Director will work with the leadership in Financial Services who manage post-award operations.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree.
• Three years' experience with sponsored research agreements and contract drafting/negotiation and sponsored regulatory environment.
• Five years of demonstrated leadership experience in higher education grants pre-award management, grant compliance, and research development.
• Three years of supervisory experience of full-time professional staff.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in writing or providing writing support for grant proposals.
• Experience with IRB or IACUC committee operations and compliance.
• Experience should demonstrate past performance effectiveness, knowledge of the field and increasing responsibility.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Understanding of higher education and the important role of research and sponsored programs as a strong contributor to the vitality of a university campus.
• Knowledge and expertise in federal regulations and funding agencies, private sector funding, and subcontracting practices.
• Expertise and experience in pre-award administration of research and sponsored projects.
• Experience in the review, negotiation, and approval of research proposals, grants, and contracts in the higher education context.
• Networking skills and knowledge of the latest national research funding trends.
• Ability to write successful grant proposals.
• Excellent skills in personnel and project management, decision-making, and communication.
• Must have the characteristics of a leader, including deep intellectual curiosity, high energy, persistence, the ability to learn from mistakes, adaptability, strong work ethic, self-confidence, and the ability to operate independently with minimal direction.
• Ability to interact respectfully with people with diverse socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds
• Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills

 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

1. Provides executive presence in the Office of Research and Sponsored program during normal business hours to provide supervision and accessibility to faculty and staff.
2. Oversees pre-award research administration activities.
3. Facilitates internal or external audits of grants and contracts.
4. Serves as a liaison to internal and external leadership and stakeholders. This includes productively working with WiSys to advance growth of the research enterprise, especially as related to undergraduate research opportunities.  Advises principal investigators, leadership, and central grants administration, interacts with granting agencies regarding policy interpretation, and provides recommendations for successful outcomes.
5. Implements the strategic vision for research priorities as established by the academic college deans.
6. Establishes, implements, and maintains policy and procedures for sponsored project administration.
7. Oversees compliance related to sponsored grants and contracts.
8. Develops, conducts, and administers training initiatives for faculty, staff, and other stakeholders in areas related to research administration.
9. Supports the growth and success of undergraduate research programming and opportunities.
10. Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked, over the staff of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
11. Supervise and guide staff responsible for the Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects (IRB); the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC); and monitoring of the University's portfolio of research to ensure compliance with institutional, state, and federal requirements.
12. Develop and supervise implementation of in-service training for faculty and staff regarding campus research compliance issues, including Export Controls compliance.

 

UNIVERSITY INFORMATION:

 

UW-Whitewater is a thriving public university located in southeastern Wisconsin. It leads the way in providing world-class, affordable higher education programs to more students than neighboring regional comprehensives in the University of Wisconsin System. A collaborative team of 1,300 faculty and staff are devoted to the success of the university's 11,000 students at its main and Rock County campuses. The team provides high-impact practices and academic programs - online and in person - from associate to doctoral levels. Recognized nationally for affordability, inclusion, and career development, UWW has approximately one-third first-generation students and boasts strength in many areas, especially business and education. The campus and community embrace the Warhawk Family spirit, supporting the university's arts and nationally recognized NCAA Division-III level championship athletics. As a proud institution of access, more than 10 percent of undergraduate students use the acclaimed Center for Students with Disabilities - a priority mission since the 1970s.

UW-Whitewater's campuses are located centrally near Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago, offering easy access to the cultural and commercial opportunities of major metropolitan areas. Near both Lake Geneva and the Wisconsin Dells, the area attracts numerous visitors from across the country. Whitewater is a vibrant college community near the Kettle Moraine State Forest offering area residents seasonal outdoor enjoyment. The nearby Rock County campus is located in Janesville, a town of 60,000 located on the Rock River and known as Wisconsin's Park Place.

Belonging and mattering are central to the university's culture, and UW-Whitewater strives to maintain an environment where individual and collective efforts are valued and celebrated. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, and actively seeks and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and veterans.

 

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:

 

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is part of the 13-campus University of Wisconsin System (https://www.wisconsin.edu).

Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(b) provides that applicants may indicate in writing that their identity should be kept confidential. In response to a public records request, the University will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(a).

Per Regent Policy Document 20-19, University of Wisconsin System Criminal Background Check Policy and UW System Administrative Policy 1275 Recruitment Policies, UW-Whitewater requires criminal background checks as a contingency to employment. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment. All final candidates must be asked, prior to hire, whether they have been found to have engaged in, are currently under investigation for, or left employment during an active investigation in which they were accused of sexual violence or sexual harassment. When obtaining employment reference checks, these same sexual violence or sexual harassment questions must also be asked.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater requires that all employees be active participants in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills.

For UW-Whitewater Campus safety information and crime statistics/annual Security Report, see Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. If you would like a paper copy of the report please contact the UW-Whitewater Police at 262-472-4660.

 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

 

Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual minimum salary of $100,000 commensurate with the candidate's education, related experience, and qualifications.

 

UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. To learn more about the UW System's comprehensive benefit package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure.

 

CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT:

 

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources. UW-Whitewater is not an e-verify employer, therefore STEM extensions are not options for work authorization.

 

TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION:

 

Applications received by June 27th, 2025, are ensured full consideration. To submit applications after that date please reach out to Search Committee Chair Morgan Anderson.  The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

If you have questions regarding this recruitment or if you are unable to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact us at (262) 472-1024 or hr@uww.edu 

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Morgan Anderson 

Search Committee Chair 

262-472-1095

andersml@UWW.edu 

 

TO  APPLY:

 

Only complete application packages will be considered. This includes online submission of the following documents:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Name and contact information for three professional references

This Job ID is 21861.

 

Application Links: 

A potential applicant who is NOT currently employed by the University of Wisconsin System, click here:

UW-Whitewater External Applicants

A current employee of the University of Wisconsin System, click here:

UW-Whitewater Internal Applicants

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