Director

$119,500 - $130,000/Yr

University of Maryland

Full-time - Director

Educational Services

About the position

The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) is seeking a Director for the Creative Achievement and Research Administration Team (CARAT) within the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS). This leadership role involves overseeing the daily operations of CARAT, which supports faculty in research and creative achievement by managing a portfolio of approximately 80 sponsored awards totaling around $8 million in annual funding. The Director will set strategic objectives, ensure compliance with regulations, and manage a team of nine staff members, fostering an inclusive and equitable work environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the day-to-day operations of CARAT.
• Set CARAT's future direction and goals in consultation with the CAHSS Associate Dean for RCA and senior CARAT staff.
• Communicate and consult with CAHSS's 100+ Principal Investigators (PIs) to support their scholarly activities.
• Ensure CARAT's research administration procedures comply with regulations and policies.
• Advise new PIs on grant lifecycle services provided through CARAT.
• Supervise and mentor CARAT staff, conducting recruitment, hiring, training, and performance management.
• Develop personnel guidelines and monitor personnel efficiency.
• Provide pre-and post-award administration support for PIs.
• Oversee CARAT operations for continuous improvement of business processes.
• Plan and implement grant and fellowship trainings and workshops for CAHSS faculty.
• Collaborate with senior CARAT staff to prepare an annual report on sponsored research trends and areas for improvement.
• Oversee CARAT's annual operating budget.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a business field.
• Six years of relevant experience in research administration, grants management, or closely related professional experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal and analytic skills.
• Knowledge of major governmental funders.
• Demonstrated competency in management responsibilities such as strategic planning and leadership.
• Experience in managing multiple projects and facilitating organizational teamwork.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's degree in an appropriate area of specialization.
• Familiarity with funders such as foundations, non-profits, and private funders.
• Ability to work with software technologies such as PeopleSoft Financial and Human Resources and Kuali.
• Three plus years of successful staff management and supervisory experience.
• Possession of a Certified Research Administrator (CRA) credential.

Benefits

• Generous Leave including 22 Days of Annual Leave, 15 Days of Sick Leave, 15 Holidays, and 3 Personal Days.
• Tuition Remission for 8 credit hours per semester and for eligible dependents after two years of full-time employment.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Retirement plans including the choice of joining the pension plan.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Wellness opportunities.