Director, Research Administration Pre-Award Services

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (Master’s preferred).
• Professional certification (e.g., CRA, CPRA, CFRA).
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, including leadership and direct oversight of pre-award operations.
• Proven track record of leading organizational transformation or system redesign in an academic or biomedical setting.
• Experience managing hybrid central-decentral service models.
• Deep working knowledge of federal research compliance (e.g., Uniform Guidance, NIH/NSF policies), institutional routing, and sponsor systems.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills, with demonstrated faculty-facing experience.
• Familiarity with Stanford systems and structures (Cayuse, SeRA, ORA).

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE (REQUIRED):

Bachelor's degree and ten years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (REQUIRED):

• Leadership, supervisory, planning and change management skills.
• Advanced, excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills to clearly and effectively communicate information to internal and external audiences, client groups and all levels of management.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with a wide range of faculty, staff, and university leaders; Ability to maintain rapport with employees at all levels.
• Ability to exercise influence, solve problems, think creatively and resolve conflicts.
• Expert analytical and problem-solving skills to review and analyze complex information; excellent judgement and common sense required.
• Advanced expertise in research administration practices and regulatory environments, the university research environment and policies.
• Expert proficiency in internal and external business systems applications.
• Proven ability to perform with a high degree of accuracy under tight deadlines while managing multiple projects.
• Advanced project management skills.
• Advanced understanding and experience in contracts and grants administration, agreement negotiation and regulatory issues pertaining to sponsored programs, including extensive experience successfully negotiating complex issues pertaining to sponsored and research-related agreements with all sponsor types including industry, non-profit, government and higher education.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively in a complex university administration; understanding of the structure, purpose, functions and objectives of research and sponsored projects administration at Stanford.
   

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:

• Frequently sitting, grasping lightly, use fine manipulation and a computer (keyboard, mouse, monitor).
• Occasionally use a telephone, rarely stand/walk, twist, bend, stoop, squat, write by hand, sort, and file paperwork or parts.
• Rarely lift, carry push, and pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.
   

* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

May have occasional extended or weekend work hours during peak business cycles.
 

WORK STANDARDS:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.

Hybrid:

The expected pay range for this position is $202,735 to $238,332 per annum.

Remote:

This role is open to candidates anywhere in the United States. Stanford University has five Regional Pay Structures. The compensation for this position will be based on the location of the successful candidate.

The expected pay range for this position is $160,217 to $221,665 per annum.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources by submitting a contact form.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.