Assistant Director: Sponsored Projects Office - 140791

Candidates hired into this position may have the ability to work remotely.

The Moores Cancer Center (MCC) is one of just 58 NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the United States and the only one in San Diego County. As a consortium cancer center, it is a collaborative partnership between the UCSD: encompassing 28 departments, 6 schools (School of Medicine, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Public Health, Jacobs School of Engineering, School of Biological Sciences & the School of Physical Sciences), UCSD Health oncology hospitals and clinics; the basic and public health research and outreach of San Diego State University (SDSU), and the basic and translational research of the La Jolla Institute of Immunology (LJI). These various programs and units are all dedicated to fulfilling the Moores Cancer Center's mission of reducing cancer's burden. As such, it ranks among the top centers in the nation conducting the continuum of cancer research, providing advanced patient care, and serving the community through outreach and education programs. As a top-ranking, future-oriented organization, we offer challenging career opportunities in a fast-paced and innovative environment. Moores Cancer Center follows a progressive philosophy of career-path development for its employees including opportunities for cross-training, professional development, and progressive responsibility.

MCC's mission is to transform cancer care in our catchment area and beyond by driving exceptional scientific discoveries and innovations in prevention, detection, care, and training. MCC will make a global impact on improving health by reducing cancer burden through accelerated discovery and translation, compassionate and interdisciplinary care, education and community engagement, with the foundation of our core values - Excellence, Innovation and Risk-Taking, Collaboration, Diversity and Service.

Under the general supervision of the Associate Director for Administration, the Assistant Director: Sponsored Projects Office supervises a team of Research Administrators and Fund Managers responsible for pre-award and post-award administration for assigned Moores Cancer Center (MCC) research programs. The incumbent oversees the day-to-day operations of the team, ensuring that sponsored projects activities are administered in accordance with University, departmental, and sponsor policies and procedures. The position provides guidance, direction, and support to staff managing complex grant portfolios funded by a variety of sponsors, including the NIH, DOD, NSF, and other federal, state, industry, and private funding agencies.

Responsible for assigning work, establishing priorities, analyzing workflow, monitoring performance, and ensuring the timely and accurate completion of research administration activities. Using sound judgment within established policies and procedures, identify operational risks and compliance concerns, recommend appropriate corrective actions, and escalates material issues to leadership as needed. Serve as a resource to staff on complex grants administration matters and recommends process improvements, tools, and practices that enhance departmental effectiveness and compliance.

Provide direct supervision and mentorship to staff, including training, coaching, work review, and guidance on research administration policies and procedures. Support professional development, ensure adherence to departmental standards and protocols, and promotes consistent application of best practices across the team. In partnership with departmental leadership, may recommend changes to operational procedures and policies to improve service delivery, efficiency, and compliance.

Collaborate with investigators, departmental leadership, and central administrative offices to address complex grants management issues, facilitate successful administration of sponsored programs, and ensure the effective stewardship of research funds.

Supervises a small staff of Research Administrators working on grants or contracts according to established policies and management guidance. Recommends changes to department policies and practices. Receives assignments in the form of objectives with goals and the process by which to meet goals. Exercises judgment within defined procedures and policies to determine appropriate action. Identifies risks and responds accordingly. Provides priority setting and workflow analysis.

• Nine (9) years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's Degree in nursing, healthcare, or related field plus five (5) years of experience.

• Working knowledge of contracts and grants transactions and applicable financial systems, as well as related policy, accounting and regulatory compliance requirements.

• Proficiency in use of common desktop / web applications.

• Thorough knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply sponsor, institutional and departmental policies. Knowledge of current compliance regulations in all areas of research administration.

• Ability to manage high volume and complex transactions.

• Ability to perform highly complex financial analysis and customized reporting.

• Thorough knowledge of policy and its interpretations.

• Demonstrated advanced knowledge of generally accepted accounting, fiscal and reporting principles.

• Demonstrated advanced competence in the use of spreadsheet and database software in financial analysis, fiscal management and financial reports.

• Strong interpersonal skills, service orientation, ability to multi-task effectively in a varied, high volume environment, judgment and decision-making, reasoning, ability to develop original ideas to solve problems, and effective verbal and written communication skills.

• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.