Assistant Director of Pre-Award

As an Assistant Director of Pre-Award, you will be responsible for managing and supporting sponsored research endeavors in the WVU Cancer Institute (WVUCI), including, but not limited to, pre-award and post-award sponsored research operations, and budget and data management and reporting. You will work directly with the WVUCI Director and leadership team for the strategic alignment of research administration with the WVUCI’s long-term goals to cultivate nationally recognized research programs.

Provide leadership and operational oversight of the WVU Cancer Institute’s proposal development activities, with a focus on portfolio growth and sustainability. Lead proposal development initiatives for large, multi-investigator program grants and strategic research project grants. Work directly with emerging research groups to obtain funding for expansion into nationally recognized research programs. Work directly with the WVU Cancer Institute Director and leadership team on strategic initiatives to increase WVUCI’s research capacity and maximize impact throughout the region. Conduct or direct special projects as assigned. Work directly with faculty to strategically identify, plan, and secure research funding, including meeting with new cancer research faculty regarding individual research funding goals and internal support mechanisms. Seek out, identify, and disseminate research and scholarship opportunities/updates and funding opportunities. Encourage, assist in the development of, and provide review and approval of research and grant proposals for faculty. Manage all aspects of the National Cancer Institute Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) application process. Provide data, reporting, information, and updates on research productivity and grant-related outcomes. Develop and manage critical relationships with faculty members in order to further departmental research endeavors. Oversee WVUCI internal pilot and developmental grants mechanisms such as limited submission selection and pilot and seed funding. Develop collaborative relationships across WVU and the WVU Medicine system to grow interdepartmental research endeavors. Oversee all non-transactional aspects of WVUCI research administration, including budgeting, application, set-up, and reporting. Facilitate the management of externally funded projects, including direct management with WVU business offices. Serve as primary liaison to the Office of Sponsored Programs and funding agencies for the seamless operation of all grants. Advises all levels of faculty on research funding strategies, proposals, and budgeting. Provides fiscal and administrative guidance to grant principal investigators, program directors, co-investigators, and staff. Apply organizational policies and procedures to resolve moderate to complex matters. Apply independent judgement and resourcefulness to adapt to the business circumstance. Prioritize time-sensitive material for appropriate action. Manage operations of the pre-award unit while fostering a productive and high-performing project team environment. Hire, supervise, and direct the work of staff by providing day-to-day work planning, direction, monitoring, and ensuring accuracy and completeness of work products and opportunities for development, coaching, and mentoring. Oversee the development and maintenance of standardized tools, templates, and data repositories containing faculty research productivity, proposal materials, and related information. Oversee the development and maintenance of standard operating procedures in collaboration with staff members. Assure the adherence of WVUCI grants to all standards and policies as set forth by WVU, sponsors, and regulatory agencies. Participate in professional development activities to maintain and use this knowledge to serve as an advisor to the faculty by creating an effective application process which proves successful for submitting high quality applications.

Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A minimum of two (2) years of experience involving: Proposal development/pre-award experience. Research administration and reporting experience. Experience in higher education setting. Advanced knowledge of relevant institutional, state, federal, and non-federal fiscal and administrative rules, regulations and procedures. Advanced knowledge in/use of federal application systems (grants.gov/workspace, NIH ASSIST, NSF Fastlane, etc.) Advanced knowledge in/use of WVU systems (KC and MAP/Oracle). Experience with managing or leading sponsored projects and contracts administration in a large research university setting. Experience working with grants/contracts accounting. Experience with supervising personnel and assigning job duties. Experience speaking/writing effective, clear & concise reports. Experience researching and collecting data to form reports and make recommendations. Ability to perform financial calculations, prepare/maintain financial reports, analysis, and summaries for a large customer base. Ability to effectively present information to top managers, public groups, state officials, and/or boards of directors. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from PI/CoI, regulatory agencies, state program staff, or members of the community. Must have independent decision-making ability. Ability to work with multi-disciplinary groups and facilitate meetings. Possesses the interpersonal skills to positively and effectively communicate, negotiate, and resolve conflict. Preferred Qualifications: Master's degree. Certified Research Administrator.