Director, Business Systems & Operations

Department: Office Sponsored Research
Salary/Grade: EXS/11

Job Summary:

The Director, Business Systems and Operations is responsible for leading functions that support the line-of-business teams in the Sponsored Research (SR) office, including systems and data analysis to support data-driven decision making within the office, award setup and cross team coordination. The Director serves as an active participant on the office's senior leadership team, contributing to the development of strategies that drive organizational success.

As part of Northwestern University's commitment to creating an inclusive and diverse campus community, Northwestern Sponsored Research is committed to being BRAVE (Battling Racism and Valuing Equity). Through deliberate words and actions we actively endeavor to acknowledge the humanity of and value each of our colleagues.

The Director, Business Systems and Operations will support the OR mission and values of understanding empathy, modeling accountability, ensuring fairness, embracing community, and valuing creativity.

Specific Responsibilities :

Strategic Initiatives

• Work with leadership team to execute transformational initiatives in support of the AVP-SR's strategic priorities
• Support leadership efforts to improve organizational effectiveness, ensuring functional, systems, and coordinator functions are operating in a truly integrated fashion, with efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and highest quality to maximize impact in support of the university's research enterprise.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with other NU research administration leaders in order to facilitate coordinated approaches for strategic initiatives."
• Advises the AVP-SR, providing context and background information on issues, and coordinating research, projects, and initiatives as needed.

Data and Analytics

• Work with senior leadership team to design and implement tools for monitoring performance and other data tools necessary for making informed decisions about processes, workload and strategic planning.
• Formulate data access policies that will maintain the balance between confidentiality, security and data accessibility when necessary for future system implementations/integrations.
• Ensure timely, accurate and coordinated responses to requests for sponsored research information and data from the Office for Research and central university administration.

Systems and Electronic Research Administration

• Lead SR in setting the strategy and project priorities for sponsored research information technology initiatives, working collaboratively with University/Office for Research IT leadership and advising the Assistant Vice President, SR and Chief Research Operations Officer.
• Oversees 17 staff members in the the following 3 areas on the Business Systems & Operations team: Systems/Data, Award Setup, and Sponsored Research Coordination.
• Actively monitor the national electronic research administration landscape, staying current on best practices and engaging in peer groups including Big 10 eRA, Federal Demonstration Partnership and others.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree
• Minimum 5 years of relevant leadership and management experience, preferably in an academic setting."""""
• Experience in university research administration. Experience related to implementing an enterprise system or building a data warehouse.
• Project management experience.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Superior communication skills; the experience, ability and inclination to be an effective, inclusive representative for the Office for Sponsored Research; exemplary interpersonal and listening skills
• A keen eye for operational efficiency and optimal use of resources
• Experience supporting leaders in using data and metrics to support decision-making
• Solid understanding of business, technology infrastructure, and best practices with regard to business and IT systems
• Demonstrated ability to listen to and communicate with differing stakeholders.
• Demonstrated understanding of transactional systems, business processes, data access and security issues and reporting and BI environments.
• Strong functional knowledge of higher education business practices.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to understand and translate complex requirements and policy issues, facilitate meetings and make effective presentations.
• Extensive experience working directly with end users, administrative unit heads and data custodians.
• Customer-focused and dedicated to providing optimum service.
• Ability to multi-task and work effectively in a team environment, both within a project and in developing relationships and collaborations through committees and workgroups.
• Strong team-based orientation; a personality that thrives in matrixed environments and enjoys partnering with fellow senior team members to achieve results.
• An approach to staff management that brings out the best in team members yielding operational excellence, pride, ownership, and a deep commitment to the Office for Sponsored Research.
• A genuine passion for contributing to the transformation of a sponsored research office that is operating in a rapidly changing environment.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $110,000-$125,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more .

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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