Senior Research Operations Manager

Position Information

Classification Title Research and Public Service Manager FLSA Exempt FTE 1.00 Minimum Qualifications

Requires at least a baccalaureate degree in the field. Please contact your Human Resources office for an evaluation of education/experience in lieu of the required minimum qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications

Masters degree preferred. Prefer working knowledge of UGA sponsored project management policies and procedures. Knowledge and experience related to writing/editing, design, media, and social media marketing is desired. A background or education in a scientific, environmental, ecological, outreach, or engineering-related field is preferred. Supervisory experience preferred.

• 5+ years working in higher education
• 5+ years working with research and technical assistance projects
• 5+ years' experience developing and managing budgets and grant project spending

Position Summary

The Senior Research Operations Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating the project and program development processes for the Infrastructure and Community Resilience Division at the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government. The project and program development processes include outreach strategies, planning and execution, research development and execution, partner coordination, budgeting, monitoring project and/or program progress, impact planning, analysis and communication. The Senior Research Operations Manager reports to the Associate Director of the Infrastructure and Community Resilience Division (ICR) and provides research operations leadership and support for a team of almost 30 public service faculty and research and program coordination staff. The incumbent in this position will also supervise divisional research program coordinator(s) and graduate research assistants engaged in research operations.

This is a highly responsible position that supports the complex research management activities of a growing portfolio of multifaceted work generated by multiple public service faculty members in partnership with researchers at the University of Georgia, other university-based research partners, and external partners such as the Department of Defense and state and local government partners and funded through various vehicles - federal grants, contracts, agreements and foundation gifts.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

The Senior Research Operations Manager position for the ICR Division is a highly responsible and visible position. The role is designed to ensure strategic and operational excellence within the division and effectively coordinate with internal and external partners and stakeholders.

Success in the role demands a mix of interpersonal, organizational, and execution skills to navigate the complex and competing needs of the division.

• A strategic, innovative and proactive problem-solving mindset
• Proven organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines
• Ability to communicate with impact and influence, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to navigate complex organizational relationships and partnerships
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong understanding of local, state, and federal funding sources and the ability to locate potential sources for funding
• Strong understanding of and experience with UGA business and sponsored project management processes
• Ability to effectively coach, develop, motivate and engage employees

Physical Demands

• Normal working conditions for an office environment such as sitting/standing at computer for long periods of time, light lifting of boxes, concentrated periods of focus for projects and tasks
• Maneuver between various buildings located on site
• Repetitive motions and actions
• Work using electronic communications, telephone, face-to-face discussions, paper form correspondence
• Some after-hours work may be involved
• Ability to travel on an as-needed basis is essential

Is driving a responsibility of this position? Yes Is this a Position of Trust? No Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? No Does this position require a P-Card? No Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? No Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) No Credit and P-Card policy

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Duties/Responsibilities

Strategic and Tactical Research Operational Coordination

• Manage strategic planning efforts for the division, working closely with the Associate Director.
• Produce and compile written strategic planning and project-related components, including organizational structure, grant proposals, grant reports, and project evaluations.
• Leverage capacity of the division against potential project work and budgetary concerns.
• Work with Associate Director to analyze and resolve complex issues.
• Coordinate and conduct special meetings and presentations to highlight progress made on the thematic areas of ICR's strategic agenda and the annual work plan.

Percentage of time 20 Duties/Responsibilities

Strategic Impact and Communications Planning and Oversight

• Manage and direct communications efforts.
• Collaborate with ICR design team, Institute of Government Division of Communications, and partner organizations to develop outreach materials, press releases, news stories, and other documents as needed.
• Evaluate and proofread/edit internal documents as requested.
• Lead working groups of faculty and staff, charged with managing the monitoring and evaluation of programs and projects, measuring impact to assist in directing future project efforts, identify potential sponsors, and help assess return on investment of project work.
• Manage, track, and coordinate the monitoring and evaluation of programs and projects.
• Develop annual report of ICR activities and project-related evaluation outcomes.

Percentage of time 20 Duties/Responsibilities

Grant Development Process Management and Oversight

• Provide subject matter expertise and direction on federal grant development and management, supporting pre-award and post-award activities for the division, serving as a resource for Principal Investigators as they apply for and manage competitive federally funded projects of significant magnitude in scope and budget.
• Research and identify relevant funding requirements and assist Principal Investigators with coordinating deliverable timelines.
• Partner and work with Principal Investigators to generate, draft, and complete complex grant applications in line with ICR's research and outreach strategy and according to application requirements, ensuring grants are submitted on time and within application parameters, and advising on/assisting with completing all documents, forms, or reports required by funding sponsors.
• Support research management activities arising out of a portfolio of complex federal grant- funded work.
• Work with multiple public service faculty members in partnership with UGA researchers, other university-based research partners, and external project partners.
• Discuss, manage, and leverage multiple sources of funding, working with principal investigators, grant specialists, business managers, and administrative managers within the Institute of Government, with external partners on campus, and with granting sponsors and the UGA Sponsored Projects office.
• Work closely with the Institute of Government's Grants Specialist given the complex nature of the federal funding process.
• Mange the completion of programmatic reports and project tracking and closeout.
• Develop and maintain master files on grants and paperwork connected to projects, with primary focus on federally funded projects.

Percentage of time 30 Duties/Responsibilities

Budget Development and Oversight

• Liaison with Institute of Government business managers to prepare budget and manage all division accounts, including monitoring and reviewing expenditures for funding, reporting, and policy compliance, performing analyses and providing projections for current and future fiscal years.
• In partnership with the ICR Business Manager, plan payroll for team of 28+ employees - faculty, staff, students, and hourly professionals; track across current fiscal and project year, as well as produce projected budgets for future years.
• Leverage multiple funding sources and track effort across project years as well as fiscal years.

Percentage of time 20 Duties/Responsibilities

Team Leadership and Supervision

• Supervise, coach and develop staff and graduate students assigned to the Research Operations team.
• Provide strategic leadership, management and oversight that advances ICR research and outreach strategy of programmatic and administrative team members to include program/project coordinators, administrative staff, and graduate students.
• Direct work efforts, conduct regular one-on-one meetings, and evaluate performance for all direct reports.
• Manage the hiring process and promote staff training and professional development.

Percentage of time 10

Contact Information

Recruitment Contact

Contact Details

For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.

Recruitment Contact Name Danielle Dankner Recruitment Contact Email ... Recruitment Contact Phone

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • How did you hear about this vacant position?

• UGAJobs (UGA's job board)

• LinkedIn

• Handshake

• Indeed.com

• HigherEdJobs

• A current UGA employee

• Other (please provide resource)

• • Do you have a valid Driver's license?

• YES

• NO

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter
• List of References with Contact Information

Optional Documents

Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact University HR (...).

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status.