Job Summary:The Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Administration (AVC-RA) is a senior leadership position within the Office of Research and Economic Development at the University of Mississippi. Reporting directly to the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development (VCRED), the AVC-RA provides strategic guidance and coordination for the University's sponsored programs administration infrastructure and serves as a key partner in advancing the institution's research mission.
The AVC-RA is responsible for supporting effective stewardship, compliance, and operational excellence of sponsored projects throughout the award lifecycle, with primary coordination for post-award administration and research financial management. The position works closely with pre-award administration, procurement, finance, compliance, and academic leadership to promote an integrated and service-oriented research administration environment that supports faculty success while maintaining the highest standards of regulatory compliance and fiscal stewardship.
As a senior research administration executive, the AVC-RA serves as a strategic advisor to university leadership and plays a critical role in supporting the continued growth of the University's research enterprise through operational excellence, process improvement, risk mitigation, and customer-focused service delivery.
Job Description:Strategic Leadership and Research Administration- Provide strategic guidance and coordination for sponsored programs administration operations and related research administration initiatives.
- Advise the VCRED and other university leaders on matters involving sponsored programs administration, research operations, financial stewardship, compliance, and institutional risk.
- Develop and implement strategies that support the University's goals for research growth, competitiveness, and operational excellence.
- Promote a culture that balances regulatory compliance, accountability, efficiency, and exceptional customer service.
- Champion organizational change initiatives designed to improve research administration processes and faculty support.
Post-Award Administration and Research Financial Stewardship- Coordinate post-award administration functions, including award acceptance, account establishment, financial monitoring, invoicing, reporting, effort certification, cost sharing, subrecipient monitoring, award modifications, and closeout activities.
- Ensure compliance with federal regulations, sponsor requirements, state laws, and institutional policies governing sponsored projects.
- Maintain effective internal controls designed to safeguard sponsored funds and mitigate institutional risk.
- Coordinate institutional responses to sponsor reviews, audits, monitoring activities, and compliance assessments related to sponsored programs administration.
- Monitor emerging regulatory developments and help implement appropriate operational and policy responses.
Sponsored Programs Coordination and Collaboration- Foster strong coordination between pre-award and post-award functions to ensure seamless support throughout the sponsored project lifecycle.
- Collaborate with academic units, principal investigators, research centers, and administrative offices to improve the effectiveness and consistency of research administration services.
- Partner closely with Contracts and Grants Accounting, Finance, Research Compliance, Internal Audit, Procurement Services, Information Technology, and the Office of General Counsel.
- Serve as a senior institutional resource on sponsored programs administration matters and support strategic decision-making involving sponsored activities.
Research Procurement Collaboration- Collaborate closely with Procurement Services to develop and maintain research-focused procurement practices that support sponsor requirements, scientific acquisition needs, and institutional compliance obligations.
- Serve as a key research administration liaison to Procurement Services on matters involving sponsored projects, federally funded acquisitions, scientific equipment, specialized research materials, sole-source justifications, and subawards.
- Identify opportunities to streamline procurement processes affecting sponsored projects while maintaining compliance with Uniform Guidance, state purchasing requirements, and university policies.
- Promote effective communication and coordination between researchers, research administrators, and procurement professionals.
Systems, Analytics, and Process Improvement- Provide leadership for systems and technologies supporting sponsored programs administration and related research operations.
- Utilize data analytics and performance metrics to assess effectiveness, identify trends, improve service delivery, and support institutional decision-making.
- Champion modernization initiatives, including workflow improvements, process automation, and implementation of best practices.
- Develop and monitor key performance indicators for sponsored programs administration operations.
Leadership and Organizational Development- Provide leadership, guidance, mentoring, and professional development for staff within sponsored programs administration functions.
- Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing professionals.
- Establish clear performance expectations, accountability measures, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment that supports innovation, professional growth, and operational excellence.
Required Qualifications- Master's degree or higher from an accredited institution.
- Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, sponsored programs administration, research finance, compliance, procurement, or related research operations.
- Demonstrated leadership experience managing complex administrative operations within a research-intensive university, academic medical center, federal laboratory, government agency, or similarly complex organization.
- Extensive knowledge of federal sponsored project requirements, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), sponsor regulations, financial compliance requirements, and research administration best practices.
- Demonstrated experience leading organizational improvement initiatives and managing institutional risk.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
Preferred Qualifications- Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA), CPA, or comparable professional credentials.
- Experience coordinating both pre-award and post-award sponsored programs administration functions.
- Experience supporting significant growth in externally funded research programs.
Core Competencies- Strategic leadership and organizational effectiveness.
- Expertise in sponsored programs administration and research operations.
- Financial stewardship and regulatory compliance.
- Risk assessment and mitigation.
- Relationship management and stakeholder engagement.
- Process improvement and change management.
- Data-informed decision-making.
- Service-oriented leadership.
Reporting Relationships- Reports to the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development.
- Provides oversight as assigned for Sponsored Programs Administration personnel and functions.
- Collaborates closely with the Director of Sponsored Programs (Pre-Award), Contracts and Grants Accounting, Procurement Services, Finance, Research Compliance, Internal Audit, Information Technology, the Office of General Counsel, and academic leadership across the University
A cover letter and resume are required for consideration.Job Responsibilities:Required Qualifications:- Master's degree or higher from an accredited institution.
- Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, sponsored programs administration, research finance, compliance, procurement, or related research operations.
- Demonstrated leadership experience managing complex administrative operations within a research-intensive university, academic medical center, federal laboratory, government agency, or similarly complex organization.
- Extensive knowledge of federal sponsored project requirements, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), sponsor regulations, financial compliance requirements, and research administration best practices.
- Demonstrated experience leading organizational improvement initiatives and managing institutional risk.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
Preferred Qualifications:- Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA), CPA, or comparable professional credentials.
- Experience coordinating both pre-award and post-award sponsored programs administration functions.
- Experience supporting significant growth in externally funded research programs.
Education Qualifications:Master's (Required)
Experience:Interview Requirement:Interview Requirements: Any candidate who is called for an interview must notify the Department of Equal Opportunity/Regulatory Compliance in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.
