Senior Sponsored Research Administrator

Basic Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience, with 3+ years of those years in pre- and post-award management experience (both federal and non-federal), required; a combination of education and experience may be considered

Additional Information

Harvard University offers an outstanding benefits package including:

• Time Off: 3-4 weeks paid vacation, paid holiday break, 12 paid sick days, 12+ paid holidays, and 3 paid personal days per year.

• Medical/Dental/Vision: Excellent and affordable medical, dental & vision plans, with coverage beginning as of an employee's start date.

• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with full vesting after 3 years of service.

• Tuition Assistance & Reimbursement Programs: $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School, discounted options through participating Harvard graduate schools, and reimbursement options for accredited schools outside of Harvard.

• Transportation: 50% discount on MBTA passes, as well as additional options (rideshare, biking, etc.) to assist employees in their daily commute.

• Wellness & Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including stress management, hard & soft skills development, career planning, massages, nutrition, meditation, and complimentary health services. Additionally, access to Harvard athletic facilities, libraries, campus events -- and many discounts for various cultural and leisure activities throughout metro Boston.

Join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to support our mission of health research and education, and to be a part of the oldest institution of higher learning in the country!

• The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health does not provide visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for staff positions.

• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screenings.

• This position has a 90 day orientation and review period. The O&R period will be waived for any internal Harvard employee transfers.

The University requires all Harvard community members to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and remain up to date with COVID-19 vaccine boosters, as detailed in Harvard's Vaccine & Booster Requirements. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University's COVID vaccination requirement, exemptions, and verification of vaccination status may be found at the University's "COVID-19 Vaccine Information" webpage.

Position Description

The Senior Sponsored Research Administrator (SSRA), sits within SPA and acts as the institutional representative of the President and Fellows of Harvard College for the administration of sponsored projects for the school. The Office of Sponsored Programs Administration is comprised of research administrators that work in partnership with faculty to review and submit proposals for funding and to ensure that proposals and then awards conform and are managed according to sponsor guidelines and University policies.

The Senior Sponsored Research Administrator will support innovative research at the world's leading public health research institution. Areas of research are focused across nine academic departments which include Biostatistics, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Molecular Metabolism, Global Health & Population, Health Policy & Management, Immunology & Infectious Disease, Nutrition and Social Behavioral Sciences.

The Senior Sponsored Research Administrator is an integral role within the Office of Research Administration and supports the assigned departments and faculty/researchers with the administration of pre-award, as well as some awards management tasks with a focus on compliance and customer support. The SSRA's duties include, but are not limited to:

• Review of proposals and awards for compliance

• Interpretation of sponsor guidelines and policies

• Mentoring and training junior staff and new hires as well as team and departments as needed

• Authorization of new accounts and changes to existing accounts

• Serves as a resource for SRAs, the departments and the Research Administration Support Team (RAST). Identifies and provides ad hoc problem solving

• Provides outstanding customer support that is consistent with established standards and best practices and prioritizes work based on an understanding of needs and expectations

• Interacts with: Academic Dept. Staff, faculty and principal investigators, Central Offices and External Customers (Harvard affiliates, other Harvard Schools and sponsors

• Communicates with Harvard Chan School and Harvard University staff, sponsors and collaborators

• Participates in proposal development; advises department on terms and requirements of funding opportunities

• Approves and submits eSNAP progress reports and simple foundation progress reports

• Approves and submits initial no-cost extension requests in eRA commons

• Reviews award notices, utilizing Assistant/Associate Director assistance (as needed), for proper account set up in the system of record

• Understands, interprets and explains award terms and conditions to departments

• Performs basic negotiation and acceptance of incoming and outgoing sponsored agreements on behalf of Harvard with Assistant/Associate Director's oversight

• Assists department with sponsor requests; secures necessary documents from department or other administrative offices for grant processes

• Understands, interprets and applies relevant sponsor and University policy to assure best grants management practices

• Participates in audit processes

• Assists the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) with sponsor funding deposits; performs account updates independently in the system of record, as necessary

• Performs other duties as assigned

PLEASE NOTE: In order to be on Harvard payroll, you must reside in one of the following states - MA, NH, RI, ME, CT, VT, NY, MD. We are also working primarily remotely at this time. As such, this interview process and position will be conducted virtually - including virtual interviews, remote onboarding, and remote work. This position has the flexibility and potential to remain primarily remote, or to shift to local, on-campus work once the School and this role return to an operational status that supports it. The selected candidate's preference will be considered.

Job Summary

The mission of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health is to advance the public's health through learning, discovery and communication. To pursue the mission, the school produces knowledge through research then translates this knowledge into evidence that can be communicated to the public, policymakers, and practitioners to advance the health of populations.

The Office of Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) supports the school's mission by serving as a central resource for the research community through the provision of expertise and leadership in obtaining and managing research funds.