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Director of Research/Strategic Initiatives

Posting Details

Position Information

Position Number 999977
Functional Title Director of Research/Strategic Initiatives
Position Type Research
Position Eclass EP - EHRA 12 mo leave earning
University Information
UNC Greensboro, located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina, is 1 of only 57 doctoral institutions recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for both higher research activity and community engagement. Founded in 1891 and one of the original three UNC System institutions, UNC Greensboro is one of the most diverse universities in the state with 20,000+ students, and 3,000+ faculty and staff members representing 90+ nationalities. With 17 Division I athletic teams, 85 undergraduate degrees in over 125 areas of study, as well as 74 master’s and 32 doctoral programs, UNC Greensboro is consistently recognized nationally among the top universities for academic excellence and value, with noted strengths in health and wellness, visual and performing arts, nursing, education, and more. For additional information, please visit uncg.edu and follow UNCG on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit
The Office of Research & Strategic Initiatives Develop seeks to strengthen sponsored projects’ competitiveness and effectiveness by creating awareness, increasing capability, and building confidence among faculty and staff who seek external funding to support research and other initiatives of strategic importance to UNCG.
Position Summary
The primary role of the Director of the Office of Research and Strategic Initiatives Development is to develop and implement expert services to strengthen sponsored projects competitiveness and effectiveness by creating awareness, increasing capability, and building confidence among faculty and staff who seek and receive external funding to support research and other initiatives of strategic importance to UNCG. Priority will be given to competitions for large, extramural, multi-investigator grants and contracts, including multidisciplinary center and facility proposals, training grants, limited submissions, and other major awards that can have a particularly significant impact on advancing UNCG’s research enterprise and/or strategic initiatives.
Minimum Qualifications
  • Ph.D. from an accredited college or university, plus a minimum of three years’ experience in research administration (preferably in higher education), or a Master’s and equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • An in-depth understanding of the proposal preparation and submission process and successful track record working with researchers in the preparation and submission of proposals across a variety of research areas;
  • Strong interpersonal and organizational skills with a demonstrated ability to build consensus and lead teams in order to achieve desired outcomes;
  • 3 years’ experience in developing large, complicated interdisciplinary grants.
Additional Required Certifications, Licensures, and Certificates
Preferred Qualifications
  • Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of research and scholarly achievement across the broad spectrum of disciplines at a large, complex, public research university;
  • Experience with transdisciplinary proposal development and external engagement (e.g., funding agencies, universities, corporations, national labs) at a research-intensive university;
  • Involvement in relevant national professional organizations.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Recruitment Range Commensurate with Experience
Org #-Department Rsch/Strategic Initiative Dev - 11520
Job Open Date 09/22/2023
For Best Consideration Date 09/22/2023
Job Close Date
Open Until Filled Yes
FTE 1.000
Type of Appointment Permanent
If time-limited, please specify end date for appointment.
Number of Months per Year 12
FLSA Exempt

Key Responsibilities

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Percentage Of Time 20%
Key Responsibility
Strategic Development and Leadership
Essential Tasks
  • Leadership and strategic planning activities include engaging directly and frequently with faculty, staff, and campus leadership to develop new strategic development programs, gauge interest and promote participation in new programming initiatives, and ensure that faculty and other key partners are acquainted with the unit’s programs and services.
Percentage Of Time 40%
Key Responsibility
Proposal Development
Essential Tasks
  • Operate programs that help faculty and staff develop effective and compelling written proposals across a broad range of academic disciplines and topics; provide direct support to faculty and staff in funding identification and proposal development; build and support the development of teams to submit competitive proposals for high prestige funding opportunities; maintain up-to-date information on the federal agencies, lesser-known federal funders, private foundations, and best practices in proposal development. 
  • Analyze program announcements, interpret and understand funding agency and program priorities, policies, politics, and deadlines to research and find external funding projects that work within the UNCG research setting. 
  • Work with Principal Investigators (PIs) to assemble teams and provide guidance, expertise, and content necessary to support PIs in developing and submitting proposals, typically for large, complex, multidisciplinary projects and other targeted funding opportunities, assisting in the administrative content and development as well as in all aspects of project management. 
  • Plan, coordinate, and administer internal review committees, including coordination of meeting venue, preparation of materials, minute-taking, and communication of results to applicants. 
  • Exercise an acute sense of the importance of deadlines and excellent time management and customer service skills.
Percentage Of Time 15%
Key Responsibility
Relationship Management
Essential Tasks
  • Management of relationships between sponsors, investigators, and research organization. 
  • Navigate formal and informal decision-making networks and communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders within a highly decentralized organization, and with individuals external to the organization. Lead projects through influence and collaboration. 
  • Manage and explain organizational policies and positions on topics such as intellectual property rights, facilities, and administrative costs as well as cost-sharing to ensure proper procedures are followed in the development and submission of grants to maximize outcomes for UNCG and researchers while submitting competitive, compliant grant applications.
Percentage Of Time 15%
Key Responsibility
Training, education, and resources hub
Essential Tasks
  • Develop and provide information, training and other resources to PIs and the broader campus community to increase and facilitate participation in competitions for external funding in areas of strategic importance as well as in target funding areas, such as early career awards, training grants, and sponsor-limited submissions, and to enhance overall proposal development expertise and success across the campus.
Percentage Of Time 10%
Key Responsibility
Supervision
Essential Tasks
  • Hires, mentors, and supervisors R&SID personnel, including overseeing and guiding their involvement in developing complex and individual grant applications, and the review and editing of grant components.
  • Other duties as needed.

ADA Checklist

ADA Checklist

R for Rare (0-30%), O for Occasional (30-60%), F for Frequent (60-90%), C for Constant (90-100%).

Physical Effort Reading - F, Writing - F, Hearing - F, Talking - F, Lifting-0-30 lbs. - O
Work Environment Inside - F

Applicant Documents

Required Documents
  1. Resume/CV
  2. Cover Letter
  3. List of References
Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. * Please indicate how you learned of the vacant position for which you are applying:
    • SpartanTalent Website
    • Piedmont Triad Area Newspaper
    • The Chronicle of Higher Education
    • Inside Higher Ed
    • Other professional journal / website
    • NCWorks.gov
    • UNC School System Job Board
    • Personal Networking
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Indeed.com
    • NorthCarolinaDiversity.com
    • Other
  2. If you selected "Other", please provide the name of the resource here.

    (Open Ended Question)

  3. * Are you eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship?
    • Yes
    • No