Job Description

The Director of Research Compliance within the Office of Sponsored Research (OSRA) will provide leadership through oversight of and guidance to faculty and administrators in the areas of Conflict of Interest and Commitment, Notice of Intent, Classified Research, and will provide oversight of the entire compliance enterprise within Research Administration.

The individual in this position will have a hands-on role in helping management assure that all research administration compliance activities have been identified and are addressed, effective research administration compliance policies and procedures are in place, responsibilities are monitored and enforced and corrective action is taken for non-compliance as it pertains to research administration. 

The position will collaborate with the Director of OSRA in overseeing electronic research administration systems and supporting system’s procedures, policies, and training programs for grants and contracts to ensure audit and reporting compliance. The Director of Research Compliance will report to the Director of OSRA within the CFO’s organization. The selected candidate must be willing to relocate to the local area for onsite meetings, however this role will have hybrid potential.

Responsibilities include but are not necessarily limited to the following:

Ensure Research Administration compliance activities and internal controls are in alignment with OMB 2 CFR 200, and other applicable internal or external requirements.

• Determine that financial research and supporting systems are being utilized properly in order to maintain compliance, and recommend necessary changes and updates to these systems; Collaborate with the Director, Business System Analyst, and Information Technology in overseeing electronic research administration systems and supporting system’s procedures, policies, and training programs for grants and contracts, ensuring audit and reporting compliance.
• Keep abreast of new laws and regulations concerning research administration compliance issues and advise the Director accordingly.
• Provide an operational framework for institutional compliance in research administration.
• Monitor University processes, procedures, and policies for alignment with research administration compliance standards, and recommend necessary changes; Actively participate in developing research administration compliance protocols across University departments, and promote research administration compliance awareness;
• Develop campus communication and training programs related to research administration compliance; Complete and maintain required research administration compliance manuals;
• Implement and update the campus compliance risk assessment as necessary.
• Assist and collaborate with the OSRA Director when working with the university’s General  Counsel or U.S. regulatory agencies; Work with the university’s Facility Security Officer, General Counsel, and Internal Audit to update security policies, procedures, and related compliance plan in accordance with best practices and standards such as NIST 800-171

Serve as Research Compliance Officer for Classified Research

• Responsible for ensuring institutional compliance with U.S. regulations affecting security-sensitive / security-restricted sponsored research including data, personnel,  research facility security, and export control compliance;
• Serve as a point of contact for classified security issues for sponsored research projects and their risk factors,  including purchasing, international shipments, license and registration requirements;  
• Assess for sponsored research, the institution’s ability to receive and manage confidential, proprietary, classified or other information contractually obligated as secret. Work collaboratively with other stakeholders to help develop and deploy procedures, training and awareness efforts to ensure faculty and staff are prepared and capable to handle such information;
• Ensure compliance with reporting requirements.

Manage Conflicts of Interest and Commitments  

• Guide and counsel faculty, department heads and deans on the development of Conflict of Interest and Commitment management plans to ensure unencumbered objectivity in carrying forth research duties when an employee has a significant financial interest or other conflict covered by pertinent regulation.

Qualifications

Minimum Experience/Education:

• Master's Degree
• Alternative or equivalent professional training and experience may be substituted for the advanced degree on an exceptional basis

Required Qualifications:

• Requires extensive knowledge of audit and compliance processes and practices.
• Experience with federal regulations and OMB circulars relevant to university sponsored programs and extensive experience negotiating awards and industry contracts.
• Other requirements include strong evidence of success as a leader, well-developed communication skills, the ability to work with research faculty, grants managers, legal counsel, sponsored program and research compliance professionals and senior administrative officers of the University, and a thorough understanding of current public policy issues in the research arena.
• Must have comprehensive knowledge of regulation governing faculty clearances, export controls, and conflicts of interest.

Preferred Qualifications:

• CRA, CIA or CPA