Director, Grants and Contracts

Department: Research Administration

Schedule: Full-Time Regular

Shift: Day shift

Grade: 15

Hours: 8:30A-5P

Job Details:

• Bachelor's degree is required
• 5+ years of experience is required

The Director of Grants and Contracts positon is responsible for the centralized pre-award functions within Research Administration at Tufts Medical Center (Tufts MC). This position directs the Tufts MC pre-award activities which encompasses assisting faculty and administrators in the locations of funding sources, proposal preparation and submission and in the negotiations of sponsored research grants and contracts. Represent the Hospital as the Institutional Signature Authority for research grants and contracts with federal, state, non-profit, academic and industry partners. Tufts MC has made a strategic move to diversify its research funding portfolio. Our industry-funded research portfolio is currently 19% of our ~ $50M externally funded research activity. Our focus on innovation and industry engagement will continue and the successful candidate will have significant expertise and experience successfully negotiating a wide variety of contracts and associated documents with industry partners. Our success has been driven by a team of faculty and staff dedicated to understanding how industry-funded research helps to sustain and compliments a robust federally- and foundation-funded research portfolio. Under the general supervision of the Vice President for Research Administration, the Director of Grants and Contracts will perform the duties and responsibilities listed below with a high degree of efficiency, expertise and with exceptional customer service.

Responsibilities:

Represents the Hospital as an Institutional Signature Authority for research grants and contracts, clinical trial agreements, industrial sponsored research contracts, material transfer agreements, technology transfer agreements, confidentiality disclosure agreements, service agreements, and consultant agreements.

Works with Tufts MC Legal Department to ensure contract language is appropriate for Tufts MC's risk tolerance.

Works with Scientists, Research Administrators, and department Administrators in developing grant and contract research proposals and verifying compliance issues in accordance with Tufts MC and Sponsoring Agencies policies and requirements (human subjects (AAHRPP requirements, animal welfare, consulting arrangements, etc.).

Position will be expected to triage technology transfer licenses and agreements in collaboration with Tufts MC Legal Counsel and the Technology Transfer Office and engage with this effort, in general.

Develops and implements policies and procedures to meet both Federal Audit Guidelines as well as the Hospital goals for Research Administration.

Represents the Hospital in the grant/contract and clinical trial negotiations with the Federal government and private industry sponsors.

Comprehends the complex federal fringe benefit and indirect cost policies required for authoritative input into the establishment of these rates and assists in negotiating full recovery of these costs for industry agreements.

Initiates reviews and approves all subcontracts/consortium agreements pertaining to grants and contracts (100+ agreements per year).

Develops and implements a program including measurable metrics to streamline the contracting process and reduce the turnaround time on contract execution.

Responsible for the coordination of a team approach for the creation and presentation of professional development tools and training materials for faculty related to PI responsibilities.

Responsible for the coordination of a team approach for the creation and presentation of professional development tools and training materials for Research Administrators related to Grants and Contracts administration / Pre-award responsibilities.

Prepares reports regarding Pre-Award activities across the medical center including, but not limited to, application status reports, success rates, application activity by department and PI, etc..

Monitors and interprets for use all relevant regulations and practices associated with federal, state, local and private funding sources.

Administers nonfinancial post-award actions, eg., no-cost extensions, award transfers, FFATA reporting and sub-recipient monitoring compliance.

Maintain currency in field of Research Administration with a specific emphasis on Pre-Award management in academic medical centers.

Provide troubleshooting assistance and intervention for all aspects of grants application and administration. Assists faculty and staff with issues as they arise with partner institutions and industry partners.

Participate in appropriate professional organizations. Specifically, will serve at Tufts MC's administrative member to the Federal Demonstration Project by attending meetings in Washington DC, will be an active member of the Boston Area Pre-Award (BAPA) group, will have an active role in the National Clinical and Translational Science Awards program (NCATS CTSA representing the Tufts-Clinical and Translational Science Institute (Tufts-CTSI))

Represents Research Administration on Hospital-wide committees as appropriate.

Serves as the point of contact for Grants and Contracts compliance matters.

Engages in regular assessment, planning and process improvement activities.

Develops long- and short-term goals and objectives for Grants and Contracts in keeping with the mission, goals and objectives of the Hospital.

May supervise Grants and Contracts staff as appropriate.

Requirements:

Level of knowledge equivalent to a Master's or Doctoral Degree in Business, Law or Health Administration.

Significant experience in the administration of research with a minimum 7-10 years experience in the University/Hospital research environment, especially in the area of contracting and federal award management.

Knowledge in federal, non-Federal regulations and operating policies of sponsored research including OMB Circulars A-110 and A-21. Should have a working knowledge of PHS Grants Policy Statement, OMB A-133 audit requirements and other federal compliance issues.

High degree of organizational skill in order to function in a complex, constantly changing academic environment. Strong interpersonal skills required to interact successfully with faculty (M.D.'s, PhD's), Senior Management and Staff.

Reports to Vice President for Research.

May be responsible for hiring, supervision, and performance evaluation of both staff and non-technical support staff.