Research Administration Hub Manager

Working Title Research Administration Hub Manager Job Location Raleigh, NC Job Schedule Monday - Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm; position is eligible for flexible work schedule arrangements based on operational needs. Extended hours may be required during peak college submission deadlines. Department Overview The College of Engineering Office of Research Administration (ORA) operates a departmentally embedded model designed to deliver high‑quality administrative infrastructure and regulatory safeguarding for the college’s extensive research portfolio. Embedded staff act as day‑to‑day strategic partners to principal investigators, faculty, and departmental leadership, providing cradle‑to‑grave support tailored to the unique research nuances of their assigned units. Essential Job Duties The Research Administration Hub Manager provides overall operational leadership, personnel management, and regulatory governance for an assigned hub of departmentally embedded Sponsored Research Administrators (SRAs). The primary purpose of this position is to ensure the uniform, high‑quality delivery of both pre‑award and post‑award services across their assigned cluster of academic departments. The Hub Manager acts as the critical operational bridge between the Engineering’s ORA leadership, the embedded SRAs, and departmental leadership (Department Heads and Departmental Finance Leads). This role focuses heavily on personnel management, process optimization, Service‑Level Agreement (SLA) compliance, and high‑level regulatory exception management. Personnel Leadership, Supervision & Workload Balancing Direct Supervision: Lead, manage, and provide direct oversight for a team of permanent SRAs embedded within the hub’s assigned academic departments. Dynamic Workload Allocation: Actively monitor macro‑level proposals and award metrics across all departments within the hub’s footprint and redistribute portfolios during peak windows. Performance Standardization & Mentorship: Establish objective performance standards and hub‑wide KPIs; provide continuous technical mentorship and coaching. Advanced Compliance, Risk Management & Escalation Governance Expert Policy Interpretation: Evaluate complex Federal, State, University, and sponsor‑specific fiscal policies to safeguard the research enterprise. Complex Issue Triage: Serve as the first escalation point for embedded SRAs, faculty, and departmental leadership on high‑risk challenges. Audit Readiness & Internal Controls: Develop, implement, and maintain rigorous quality‑control frameworks; perform spot‑audits of proposal files and award setups. Strategic Operations, SLAs & Stakeholder Relations SLA Accountability: Monitor and enforce adherence to the college’s standardized SLAs. Departmental Collaboration: Partner with Department Heads and Financial Leads to align research administration capabilities with departmental goals. University Liaison: Represent the college hub on cross‑institutional committees and central administrative offices. Training, Professional Development & Process Optimization Staff Onboarding & Training: Lead onboarding and continuous training to master electronic research administration portals and core financial systems. Continuous Improvement: Identify operational bottlenecks and design streamlined procedural solutions. Other Responsibilities Other tasks and responsibilities may be assigned based on the needs of the organization and evolving priorities. Minimum Education and Experience Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, or a related discipline with 12 credit hours of accounting coursework and three years of professional accounting experience, of which at least one is supervisory; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Other Required Qualifications Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in sponsored research management within a tier‑one (R1) research university or complex research enterprise. At least 3 years of demonstrated experience directly supervising professional‑level employees and managing complex fiscal programs. Expert‑level knowledge of public fund accounting principles, financial management methods, budgetary control, audit guidelines, and federal circulars. Advanced technical proficiency within complex ERP platforms (e.g., PeopleSoft Financials and HR), institutional research portals (RED), and master‑level data tracking tools (Excel, Word, Access). Excellent executive‑level written and verbal communication, leadership, organizational, and complex problem‑solving skills. Proven ability to operate effectively and maintain high customer‑service standards within a highly matrixed or shared‑services environment. Preferred Qualifications 5+ years of extensive financial and research administration experience specifically utilizing NC State University financial modules (PeopleSoft, RED, and Payroll Distribution frameworks). Successful completion of the Research Administration Management Program (RAMP) training or equivalent institutional master‑level certificates. Active Certified Research Administrator (CRA) credential. Required License(s) or Certification(s) N/A Equal Employment Opportunity NC State University is an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability‑related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact View phone number on click.appcast.io to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity. Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. NC State University participates in E‑Verify. 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