Lead Unit Research Admin (College of Education) (Finance)

Nature of Work: The Lead Unit Research Administrator reports to a senior administrative figure, such as a Director, Dean, or Associate Dean, within the research support framework of a college. Depending on the level and scope of the responsibilities assigned, the position may or may not have direct reports. They are involved with high-stakes projects, managing multifaceted contracts and navigating grants with heightened regulatory requirements. Responsibilities include creating budget forecasts, developing compliance strategies, and advising researchers on proposal reviews. The position leads the dissemination of research funding opportunities and delivers advanced training sessions.A Bachelor's degree and five years of progressively responsible research or research administration experience, or a Master's degree with four years of equivalent experience.

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Contact the USF ADA Lead ( hr-ADA-Request@usf.edu ) to coordinate your accommodation request.Working at USF
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With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
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About USF
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The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu .

• Strategic Leadership and Training: Develops and conducts comprehensive training programs to promote grant initiatives and familiarize researchers with unit procedures.
• Funding Identification and Proposal Review: Identifies potential funding sources and reviews complex research project proposals for compliance and format standards.
• Consultation and Quality Assurance: Acts as the primary reviewer and consultant for complex cases, including those with multiple sub-contracts, industrial partnerships, and export control issues.
• Compliance and Budget Management: Oversees budget reviews and monitors expenditures to ensure they align with grant stipulations and internal policies.
• Account and Fiscal Oversight: Manages the setup of new grant accounts and prepares detailed fiscal reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Data Management and Reporting: Develops and maintains a database tracking proposals, awards, compliance deadlines, and researcher credentials.
• Communication and Outreach: Oversees the creation of informational materials such as newsletters, websites, and databases to keep faculty and staff informed about research opportunities.
• Presentation and Consultation: Conducts presentations and workshops for faculty and graduate students on research compliance, proposal development, and budget management.
• Liaison Duties: Acts as the primary liaison with university compliance specialists, ensuring seamless communication between faculty and administrative bodies.
• Supervision and Mentorship: Provides leadership and mentoring to other Unit Research Administrators, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
• Policy Development: Recommends and refines operational policies for the unit, aligning with the university's strategic objectives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.