New

Director of Research Administration

North Carolina State University

Commensurate with Education and Experience

United States, North Carolina, Raleigh

Apr 29, 2025

Posting Information

Posting Number	PG194084EP
Internal Recruitment	No
Working Title	Director of Research Administration
Anticipated Hiring Range	Commensurate with Education and Experience
Work Schedule	Monday - Friday 8 am-5 pm, some overtime is required
Job Location	Raleigh, NC
Department	College of Sciences Research
About the Department	The College of Sciences ( COS) brings together the mathematical, physical, and biological sciences in a research-intensive environment that simultaneously values excellence in teaching and strong community engagement. The COS Research Office is the nucleus of research administration and support, providing a full suite of pre- and post-award services to enhance the research, teaching, administrative, and outreach functions of the College. Key office responsibilities include proposal development and submission, portfolio management, effort reporting, and responding to departmental and faculty post-award and other research administration needs. While working in this unit, you will be expected to foster a supportive and welcoming environment. NC State promotes an integrated approach to problem solving that transforms lives and provides leadership for social, economic, and technological development across North Carolina and around the world. NC State's land grant mission of teaching, research and service is dedicated to the service of North Carolina and its people. Applicants are encouraged to review the institution's mission, vision and strategic plan, and consider how their background, interest and experience would enable them to support the university.
Essential Job Duties	As Director of Research Administration in the College of Sciences ( COS), you'll play a central role in supporting and shaping the college's research enterprise. Reporting to the Associate Dean of Research Administration-with a dotted line to the Assistant Dean of Business Operations-you'll oversee pre- and post-award administration across six academic departments, nine centers, and other college programs. If you're energized by building strong teams, streamlining processes, and ensuring compliance in a dynamic research environment, this is a great opportunity to make a campus-wide impact. Core Responsibilities are in the following four key areas of oversight: Leadership & Strategic Oversight Lead and supervise a team of 19, including four direct reports, across all pre- and post-award functions. (The four direct reports include an Assistant Director of Pre-Award and an Assistant Director of Post-Award.) Serve as the principal contact for all research administration issues in the college. Represent the college in university-wide research administration initiatives, including serving on the RSC Executive Committee. Collaborate with other NCSU colleges, university offices (SPARCS, Contracts and Grants), and external sponsors to streamline processes and improve service. Foster a supportive, high-performing culture through mentoring, coaching, and professional development. Pre-Award Administration Oversee proposal development and submission processes to ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely delivery. Finalize, sign, and approve all memorandums of agreement (MOAs) and proposals submitted through the college. Exercise delegated authority to submit proposals to FDP sponsors on behalf of the University. Ensure proposals meet agency, university, federal, and state guidelines. Post-Award Administration Manage the setup and monitoring of new awards, including college-level approvals and budget justifications. Oversee tracking and reporting for cost share, effort certification, conflict of interest, and Responsible Conduct of Research compliance. Ensure accurate and timely project closeouts across all sponsored research activities. Training & Compliance Develop and deliver training on compliance, policy interpretation, cost accounting standards, and electronic research systems. Lead regular college-wide research staff meetings and identify ongoing training and career development opportunities. Stay current on federal, state, sponsor, and university regulations and participate in continuing education. Provide guidance and solutions on complex compliance issues, using sound judgment and discretion. If you are a collaborative, solutions-oriented leader with deep research administration knowledge, strong judgment, adaptability, and a forward-thinking mindset-someone who builds trust, communicates effectively, and is committed to continuous learning and team development, we encourage you to apply. You Belong Here! At NC State, our goal is for all employees to reach their fullest potential at work. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition ( https://news.hr.ncsu.edu/you-belong-here/) and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.
Other Responsibilities	Additionally, you'll take the lead in preparing and presenting key financial data-such as NSF HERD and U.S. News & World Report metrics-that showcase the College's research activity, including proposals submitted, awards received, and expenditures. Your work will directly influence how our programs are ranked and recognized both nationally and within the university, giving you a visible and meaningful impact on the College's reputation and success.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience	Graduation from a four-year college or university with a minimum of three years in research administration, budgeting, research, or administrative management; or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
Other Required Qualifications	Ability to cultivate and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, other university offices, College and departmental staff, and contract agencies. Experience managing office workflow to maximize efficiency, and a service-oriented mindset. Knowledge of accounting and auditing principles and practices, and the ability to explain and apply these practices. Excellent oral and written communications skills, as well as demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat, and ability to rapidly adapt to new technology. Demonstrated ability to work with various groups of stakeholders to create a productive work environment. Prior team-leadership experience, strong leadership abilities, and the ability to work in a high-volume, fast-paced office are a must. Adaptability and the ability to educate others on intricate tasks involving compliance, grant writing, federal research oversight, NC State research policies, and college-specific procedures.
Preferred Qualifications	Demonstrated ability to lead and manage other managers effectively. Certified Research Administrator or working towards certification preferred. Previous experience in proposal development is highly desirable. Extensive knowledge of research policies, procedures, and management systems associated with a higher education environment is preferred.
Required License(s) or Certification(s)	N/A
Valid NC Driver's License required	No
Commercial Driver's License required	No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date	04/29/2025
Anticipated Close Date	Open Until Filled
Special Instructions to Applicants	Please attach cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.

Position Details

Position Number	00105836
Position Type	EPS/SAAO
Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)	1.00
Appointment	12 Month Recurring
Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather	Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather
Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events	Non Mandatory - Emergency Event
Department ID	170501 - College of Sciences Research
EEO	NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity. If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu. Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit. NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.