Senior Research Administration Manager, School of Medicine, Office of Research Administration

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here.

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’s sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education.

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability.

Position Summary:

The School of Medicine (SOM) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is seeking a dynamic and experienced Research Administrator to join our Research Administration (RA) team as a management-level Research Administrator. The selected candidate will oversee both pre- and post-award management for a diverse sponsored research portfolio. The School of Medicine covers both basic science and clinical research.

In the Senior Research Administration Manager position, you’ll be at the heart of our research efforts, driving success for a diverse portfolio of sponsored projects across multiple departments, centers, or institutes. This position will manage a team of 3 Research Administration staff members and report directly to an Assistant/Associate Director within the SOM RA Senior Leadership team. Your primary focus will be to support Principal Investigators (PIs) and study teams in research. You will work through every stage of the grant lifecycle, ensuring proposals are submitted on time and are compliant with federal, state, and school guidelines. Once awarded, we ensure the compliant financial and administrative management of the award, fueling innovation and success at VCU. Your role will be pivotal in ensuring that each project your team manages is expertly managed, with a focus on both securing funding and maintaining compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Portfolio Management (~50%): Provide direct pre- and post-award support to an assigned portfolio, ensuring successful project initiation, execution, and close-out.
• Team Leadership (~40%): Oversee the management of 3 Research Administration staff, ensuring quality of work and customer service. Our goal is to train and develop our research administrators into the senior RAs of tomorrow. Managers should foster their professional development and ensure an equitable distribution of workload.
• Communication & Reporting (~5%): Collaborate with your Assistant/Associate Director and Department Administrators to establish routine reporting and meetings, promoting open communication related to sponsored research management. Our management level administrators serve as a bridge between researchers and administrative leadership, promoting open communication and alignment on goals and expectations.
• Process Improvement (~5%): Actively participate in training, process improvement initiatives, and special projects aimed at increasing efficiency and customer service levels within supported departments and for PIs.

Opportunity for Growth:
This role provides an excellent opportunity for candidates with research administration experience a supportive, fast-paced, and diverse environment. You will have the chance to grow your career and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives while working collaboratively with a diverse group of faculty and staff at VCU.

Telework Eligibility:
This position offers eligibility for hybrid and remote telework arrangements. Individuals outside the Richmond area are encouraged to apply, but may be required to come on-site once or twice annually for professional development and enrichment activities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required.
• Experience: At least 4 years of direct pre- and/or post-award research administration experience, including working knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and OMB Uniform Guidance for Federal Awards.  At least one year of direct management/supervision experience required.
• Skills:
  -Proficiency in budget development, financial transaction analysis, expense forecasting, report creation, and financial reconciliation.
  -Ability to interpret and apply complex government regulations and contractual terms.
  -Strong customer service, pro-active communication, problem-solving, and time management skills.
  -Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe, with the ability to learn new software applications quickly.
  -Ability to work independently and as part of a dynamic team in a diverse environment.
• Must have a demonstrated commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in past experiences or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Education: Master’s degree strongly preferred.
• Experience: Five or more years of direct experience in research administration, including proposal development, financial management, effort reporting, and project close-out.
• Certifications: CRA certification or a commitment to pursue certification within the first year preferred.
• Knowledge: General understanding of IRB and IACUC policies related to regulatory requirements in animal and human research is a plus.

Learn more about School of Medicine Research!: https://medschool.vcu.edu/research

Position will remain open until filled.

The School of Medicine continuously strives for our workplace and learning environment to reflect the demographic and social milieu of the communities we serve.  All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

VCU is committed to hiring veterans! VCU will include a veteran's period(s) of military service in the calculation of their annual leave accrual rate. This may provide veterans with an increased leave accrual!

Liliana Valladares
Liliana.Valladares@vcuhealth.org