Senior Research Administrator
Dartmouth College

Posting date:

10/30/2024

Yes

1128630

Senior Research Administrator

Research Administration Thayer

$73,000

$91,300

Not a Union Position

Not an SEIU Position

Exempt

Regular Full Time

12

40

Hanover, NH
Thayer School of Engineering/Remote

Remote eligible

No

NA

No

To provide financial and administrative management and analysis for several complex operating and sponsored project budgets including multiple funding sources, multi-site research projects, or program projects. Applies an advanced understanding of the principles and practices of financial and grants management in the accomplishment of financial and administrative activities.

Bachelors or equivalent combination of education and experience

• 7-9 years' experience in research administration.
• Comprehensive knowledge of accounting and grant administration.
• Demonstrated experience required to financially manage complex research projects.
• Excellent accounting, management, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as a member of a team.
• Willingness and ability to exercise judgment and initiative and to interact with faculty, personnel, and outside agencies in a professional manner.
• Flexibility and openness to change.
• Ability to plan work, set priorities, and respond to pressures, deadlines, and changes in schedules and priorities.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to maintain and foster confidentiality.
• Proficiency in database management, spreadsheets, and other computer software.
• Proven ability to create and manage advanced Excel spreadsheets.

• Experience in not-for-profit accounting and grants management in an educational and/or research setting preferred.
• Familiarity with Dartmouth College accounting systems and procedures.

Elisabeth Waltz, Director of Human Resources

Elisabeth.G.Waltz@dartmouth.edu

Tracy Ballou, Director of Research Administration

Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications by members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged.

Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, conduct review, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to Dartmouth College. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

Not an essential function

Dartmouth College has a Tobacco-Free Policy. Smoking and the use of tobacco-based products (including smokeless tobacco) are prohibited in all facilities, grounds, vehicles or other areas owned, operated or occupied by Dartmouth College with no exceptions. For details, please see our policy. https://policies.dartmouth.edu/policy/tobacco-free-policy

https://searchjobs.dartmouth.edu/postings/76292

• Develops, justifies and administers budgets for research funding such as grants, reserves, gifts, and startup accounts. Independently anticipates fluctuations in funding and makes financial recommendations to investigators.
• Monitors expenses and revenues for accounts, identifying, researching and correcting errors on a timely basis to ensure costs are properly allocated and economies are achieved through the bid process, joint procurement, and pursuing discounts.
• Collaborates with the Office of Sponsored Projects and other resources at Thayer to ensure compliance with Dartmouth and granting agency policies. Advises department faculty and staff with respect to those policies.
• In collaboration with department operations, formulates departmental fiscal and administrative policies and procedures.
• Performs in-depth analyses of the financial impact of implementing proposed new research projects, terminating existing projects, introducing new research services, etc. Collaborates with principal investigators in developing plans (and contingency plans) to meet identified needs.
• Develops and sets up budgets for subcontracts; reviews subcontractor submissions to ensure costs are realistic; directs changes where required.
• Interprets Dartmouth and sponsors policies to faculty and staff on issues such as allowable costs, charging mechanisms, capital equipment purchases, and use of consultants.
• Provides principal investigators with regular budget status reports summarizing expenditures to- date and projected expenditures to end of budget period; advises on potential budgetary problems.

25

• Supervises the processing of procurement as it relates to the operating and grant portfolio.
• Performs continuing review and analysis of accounting practices to enhance systems and processes as needed in the department.
• Participates in year-end closing process.
• Prepares payables, deposits, wage transfers and journal transfers.
• Reconciles monthly reports and resolves discrepancies.

15

• Advises on the framing of grant proposals so as to be responsive to sponsoring agency interests.
• Assists faculty, Post Docs, students, and senior staff in preparing proposals to funding sources including development of complex budgets for large proposal submission and ensuring completion of all sponsor and Dartmouth administrative requirements.
• Translates research plans into sponsored budget; identifies areas (e.g., laboratory costs, manpower, equipment, supplies, communications, transportation, administrative etc.) in which costs will be incurred, develops estimates of such costs, and budgets accordingly.
• In conjunction with the Office of Sponsored Projects, assists faculty with electronic proposal submissions and other electronic research-related processes.
• Serves as a resource to staff and PIs on regulatory, compliance, and sponsor requirements. Organizes training as needed in areas related to compliance and disseminates pertinent regulatory changes.
• Organizes process improvement and training initiatives related to pre-award and post-award activities.
• Formulates fiscal and administrative procedures for research programs.
• Develops responses to issues associated with administration of research activities.
• Procures and oversees maintenance of equipment; sale/disposal of equipment no longer needed.
• Interacts with representatives of Dartmouth College and other academic institutions, and private foundations to provide information requested, seek clarification of requirements, and collaborate on issues of mutual interest.

25

• Participates in onboarding newly hired faculty to include review of financial tools, proposal and award portal, and general principles of research administration.
• Acting in a leadership capacity, provides all initial and ongoing training for more junior research administrators of the team.
• Seeks to develop and improve existing systems and processes by serving as the Thayer representative in Dartmouth committee meetings.
• Collaborates with and serves as a resource to the Dartmouth Research Administration community to include the training of both federal and Dartmouth research administration platforms.

10

• Develops and maintains personnel FTE distributions based on grant and research budgets. Manages the payroll authorization and adjustment process for the assigned faculty.
• Monitors payroll funding levels; anticipates, identifies potential payroll shortfalls; communicates and advises investigators and department on shortfalls and initiates changes as necessary.
• Assists with the recruitment of research staff as required by principal investigators.
• Oversees management of labor suspense accounts.

10

• Ensures compliance with Dartmouth and granting agency fiscal and sponsored research policies and advises research team with respect to these policies. Serves as a resource to investigators and staff on regulatory, compliance, and sponsor requirements.
• Trains and mentors other financial and/or administrative employees.
• Assists in priority setting and coordination of finance and administrative staff activities to assure that departmental needs, standards, goals, and deadlines are met.

15

Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness through actions, interactions, and communications with others.

Performs other duties as assigned