Executive Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Integrity

Executive Director

Sponsored Research - Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP)

Elevate Your Career at UCCS: Innovate, Inspire, and Impact in the Rockies!

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs will not sponsor work visas or permanent resident applications for this position.

Who We Are

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a premier educational institution that prides itself on academic excellence, research, and community engagement and is actively seeking an Executive Director to join our team! UCCS offers a diverse and inclusive learning environment that fosters innovation, growth, and the holistic development of its students.

At the base of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is captivated by its stunning landscapes, making it a paradise for nature lovers. This city is more than its scenery-a mosaic of history, arts, and a vibrant tech scene. We invite you to join a community that cherishes outdoor adventure as much as forward-thinking growth, an exceptional setting for both career and lifestyle.

Salary Range: $115,177 - $150,000. Compensation will be commensurate upon experience and qualifications. This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime provisions.

Work Location: The work location for this position is fully remote/hybrid.

Benefits at a Glance

At UCCS, our employees are our most valued asset. We're proud to offer:

• Generous Time Off: Enjoy 22 vacation days, 10 sick days, paid parental leave, 13 recognized holidays, and provisions for bereavement, jury duty, and FAMLI Leave.
• Robust Health Coverage: Our comprehensive medical plans cover preventative care at no cost, including a yearly mental health visit. Plus, benefit from affordable dental, vision plans, and competitive prescription drug prices.
• Financial & Retirement Benefits: Take advantage of our health savings, flexible spending accounts, and life and disability insurance. Plan for your future with our retirement options.
• Further Your Education: Avail nine waived credits per academic year for courses at any CU campus. We invest in your educational and professional growth.
• Wellness & More: From wellness programs aimed at achieving your best self to various additional benefits through CU Advantage, we prioritize well-being and holistic development.
• Want to know your total compensation? Use our calculator to get the complete picture!

Summary

As the only research-centered university in southern Colorado, and with research being a core tenant of our 2030 UCCS Strategic Plan, this position plays a chief leadership role in the Academic Affairs structure at UCCS. Reporting to the Vice Provost of Research (VPR) under the Office of the Provost, the Executive Director is responsible for coordinating and providing mission-critical support to the comprehensive research administration functions in the offices of Sponsored Programs to grow the UCCS research and creative work portfolio. Working collaboratively with faculty, students, research-active staff, department administrators, department chairs, college deans, and university leadership, this position supports efforts to secure and fulfill externally funded sponsored projects. The Executive Director fosters a culture of innovation, inclusion, and compliance in research administration campus wide by supporting efficient and effective research administration functions while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws, policies, procedures, and sponsor-specific guidelines in the submission of proposals, as well as in negotiation and execution of grant awards and contracts for funded sponsored projects.

The Executive Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) supervises three full-time positions and is responsible for training and guiding direct reports. This position also works very closely with the Executive Director of the Office of Research Integrity. This position shall provide effective leadership to remote teams in sponsored programs in addition to a wide range of internal and external constituents.

The Executive Director serves as a resource to the greater UCCS community, the CU System, national and international funding agencies, and is responsible for cultivating a culture of inclusion, cooperation, collaboration, innovation, and excellence in OSP.

Essential Functions

The duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

Sponsored Programs Leadership

• Serve as the senior leader of the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), including overseeing operations; strategic planning and implementation; and perpetuating a culture of customer service, inclusion, capability, empowerment and success.
• Serve as the designated authorized university official for submission of proposals and acceptance of sponsored programs and other agreements under the purview of OSP.
• Review and negotiate contracts and grants with signature authority to ensure compliance and protection of the university and investigators.
• Process and authorize proposal submissions to external organizations as the university's official.
• Process and authorize the acceptance of sponsored programs, including orienting the awardee and their staff, setting up the account, and authorizing pre-award spending.
• Serves as expert for interpreting, explaining, and applying University and sponsor policies, as well as federal and state regulations related to research administration and research integrity to faculty, students, and staff.
• Serve as expert and final authority to determine if a grant, contract, or award is a gift or a sponsored program.
• Conduct policy and procedure analyses and updates and implements changes as necessary and as required by Sponsors.
• Provides leadership and vision in creating trainings and communicating updates to campus to ensure compliance with proposal and award requirements.
• Provide accurate and timely accounting of proposal and award activity as required for reporting.
• Oversee the preparation and issuance of subaward agreements that follow Federal regulations, university requirement, and sponsor specific requirements.
• Oversee staff who review sponsored program proposals, agreements, and issuance of subawards for accuracy and compliance.
• Oversee calls for limited submission proposals.
• Provide leadership to maintain and improve policy/systems/processes with OSP that benefit faculty, student, and staff. This includes updating the primary investigator handbook, routing workflows, participating in policy and guideline and standard operating procedure updates, and creating new forms and processes.

General Compliance

• Ensure institutional compliance with terms and conditions of grants/contracts.
• Collaborate with the Office of Institutional Equity regarding Title IX compliance for sponsored programs researchers.
• Collaborate closely with Sponsored Programs Accounting (SPA).
• Coordinate with the Office of Informational Technology, as necessary.
• Collaborate with Human Resources on sponsored program conflicts of interest, hiring, pay, retention, and termination.
• Consult with the Graduate School and Financial Aid on sponsored program proposals that fund scholarships, student salaries, and tuition as needed.
• Ensure export control policies and regulations are considered and addressed when necessary.
• Coordinate post-award communication with sponsors, including changes in investigators, no-cost time extensions, award transfers, and re-budgeting.
• Prepare final invention reports, coordinating with technology transfer.
• Coordinate primary investigator eligibility requests/approvals, and F&A distribution plans that are approved by the Vice Provost for Research.

Research Integrity

• Act as the back-up Empowered Official (EO) which has authority over export control compliance and licensing. This role is responsible for maintaining an understanding of the various provisions and requirements contained within U.S. export control statutes and regulations including but not limited to: The Arms Export Control Act, the ITAR, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the Export Administration Regulations, and regulations administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control.
• Collaborate with the Office of Research Integrity to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Confirm PI's/co'PI's Conflict of Interest Disclosures are current and updated when appropriate.
• Provide resources to faculty, students, and staff to learn more about the Responsible Conduct of Research.

Misc. Dutie

• Responsible for preparation, review, approval, and serve as the University authorized official/signing authority on Fee-For- Service, Non-Financial Memorandums of Understanding, Non-Disclosure Agreements, Teaming Agreements, and other non-financial agreements under the purview of OSP.
• Solve complex issues related to researcher workload, budget needs, and funder rules and regulations.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to research administrator staff both in and outside of OSP.
• Conduct annual reviews of all direct reports.
• Communicate regulations and procedures clearly and effectively with consideration and empathy.
• Work strategically with the Vice Provost for Research on driving initiatives that enhance the institution's research capabilities and funding portfolio.
• Work under pressure to manage multiple deadlines and competing priorities.
• Show dedication, reliability, and have extraordinary attention to detail.
• Engage in professional development and continuing education.

Tentative Search Timeline

• Priority will be given to applications submitted by: 09/06/2024
• Potential interview dates: 09/09/2024 - 09/13/2024
• Potential start date: 10/01/2024

UCCS is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

In accordance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, UCCS does not discriminate based on sex in our employment or compensation practices.

UCCS is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify our office at hrhelp@uccs.edu.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in related field
• Experience: 5 years of increasing responsibility in research administration
• Special Skills: Supervisory experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a related field
• 7 years of experience in research administration
• Experience working with institutional review boards
• Certified Research Administrator
• Experience with Export Controls

Physical Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the established essential functions and meet the physical and environment demands described satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability, physical and environmental conditions required of the employee on the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, physical and environmental demands.

Applicants with disabilities: If you have a mental or physical impairment, which limits one of your major life activities (e.g. walking, hearing, seeing, speaking, breathing, or learning) and require special accommodations for testing or interviewing, it is your responsibility to notify the office scheduling the interview or test at least 3 working days before the interview or test date. If you need special accommodations at the work site, you must notify the appointing authority or Human Resources.