Assistant Director, Research Administration

Assistant Director, Research Administration

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Ginzton Laboratory has an exciting opportunity to join our research administration and financial management team. We are seeking an Assistant Director, Research Administration to work under general supervision of the Managing Director to oversee a high performing team of grant administrators who support the proposal preparation and post‑award activities on grants, contracts, federal and non‑federal grants, both routine and complex.

This position is responsible for ensuring compliance with sponsor and university policies and guidelines by implementing and maintaining policies within the grant management group, as well as providing training, mentorship, and support for direct reports. The role directs the sponsored research team in overseeing the entire life cycle of awards, including financial forecasting and reporting, interpreting and communicating department, university, and sponsor processes and policy, reviewing and approving financial transactions, reviewing expenditure statements and providing guidance and direction in escalations and complex scenarios.

The position serves as a departmental resource on research administration and develops strong collaborations with faculty, staff, and internal and external partners.

• Manage the work of other employees, make hiring decisions, provide coaching and mentoring, manage performance, contribute to succession planning within area of responsibility.
• Establish overall objectives or direction for a unit, project, or operational area. Plan, direct, and monitor all budgets for areas of responsibility, and manage business operation and administration of a functional unit or area; may lead a team in providing post‑award sponsored research administration and services.
• Identify and resolve complex issues which may span multiple areas, apply ingenuity and creativity to problem analysis and resolution.
• Oversee report preparation and analysis requiring the consolidation of multiple, complex financial and statistical data points.
• Communicate financial policies and procedures; ensure accuracy, completeness, and timeliness for management financial processes and reports.
• Collaborate with other colleagues on cross‑functional projects; contribute to solutions that may affect policy changes or the development of new controls or processes.
• Participate in critical analysis of existing systems, policies, and procedures; recommend and implement approved solutions.
• Contribute to projects in work area or unit; make decisions determining approach to managing and completing processes.
• Represent the unit within the functional unit or school and to external constituencies.

Bachelor's degree and six years of relevant experience or a combination of education and relevant experience.

• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Knowledge of Oracle or other business financial systems.
• Solid understanding of financial principles.
• Advanced oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to present information effectively to internal and external audiences and all levels of management.
• Strong analytical skills to review and analyze complex financial information.
• Strong leadership and management skills with previous experience managing people, delegating workload, and providing direction/corrections as necessary.
• Knowledge of property management requirements related to Stanford or non‑Stanford title of equipment and fabrications.
• Demonstrated competency in project management of a high volume of work, some of which is cyclical.
• Experience managing pre‑ and post‑award administration for sponsored projects within the unit; knowledge of governmental regulations and completion of Cardinal Curriculum level I and II.
• Knowledge of procurement needs, including sole‑sourcing, cost analyses, vendor requirements, and small business reporting.
• Experience working successfully with PIs, their administrative staff, and the office of sponsored research and external sponsors.
• Experience performing meticulous,…