Asst VC Research Administration

Position Overview

Primary Purpose of Position

Under the Vice Chancellor’s direction, the Assistant VC provide oversight and management to two key units (1) the Office of Sponsored Programs and (2) the Office of Contracts and Grants. The Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Administration (AVCRA) at North Carolina A&T State University is a key leadership position within the institution’s research administration structure. The AVCRA will play a pivotal role in overseeing and managing the comprehensive research administration functions within the Division of Research to support the university’s research mission. This position requires a dynamic and experienced individual capable of providing strategic direction and fostering a customer focused culture of excellence in research administration.

The Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Administration reports directly to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research (AVCR) and plays a lead role in accomplishing the University’s research goals. The AVCRA will work to support the research mission as set forth in the Division and University strategic plans. As a key member of the leadership team for the Division of Research, the AVCRA serves as an advocate and an advisor for research administration activities. The AVCRA will effectively interface in a leadership capacity on behalf of the VCR with central administration, colleges, and other agencies and is responsible for building strong partnerships and relationships within this broader community to assure institutional compliance. The AVCRA serves as an officer of the University with delegated authority to execute sponsored agreements on behalf of the VCR and may hold signature sub-delegation.

This position oversees and directs the Office of Sponsored Programs and the Office of Contracts and Grants, which are responsible for assisting NCA&T faculty and staff in their efforts to secure and fulfill externally funded sponsored projects. The AVCRA ensures that each office is efficient and effective in its day-to-day operations, and that it operates with a strong service mindset and supports the research mission of the university and the researcher community. To that end, the AVCRA is expected to provide strategic direction and implementation in Office of Sponsored Programs and the Office of Contracts and Grants including policy, procedures and organizational culture management. The AVCRA will provide innovative strategies and solutions in the recruitment and retention of a robust and highly skilled workforce and the effective organization of the Office of Sponsored Programs and the Office of Contracts and Grants to meet the needs of a rapidly growing research enterprise. The position ensures a strong service orientation of the research administration functions and compliance with federal, state, and local laws, policies, procedures, Uniform Guidance, and sponsor-specific guidelines in the negotiation and execution of grant awards and contracts for funded sponsored projects. This position provides effective leadership pre- and post-award teams, in addition to a wide range of internal and external constituencies, including faculty members, research staff, administrators, and federal agencies.

• Recruitment and Hiring: Lead strategic hiring initiatives for research administration staff, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and principles.
• Capacity Building: Assess current and future staffing needs to support research growth and compliance. Develop and implement scalable staffing models and cross-functional training programs to enhance operational efficiency and resilience across research administration units.
• Performance Metrics and Reporting: Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate staff productivity, service quality, and operational effectiveness. Conduct regular reviews and data-driven analyses to inform decision-making, improve processes, and support institutional reporting requirements.
• Professional Development Strategy: Design and oversee comprehensive professional development plans tailored to individual and team needs. Promote continuous learning through workshops, certifications, mentoring, and participation in national research administration networks. Foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and career progression.

The AVCRA will also work collaboratively with key partners and outside stakeholders to further the development and implementation of research administration and services strategies, and to help ensure a culture of innovation and compliance in research administration campus wide.

The successful candidate will possess strong leadership and communication abilities that foster effective and collegial working relationships with all University constituents. They will have strong financial grant management skills, project management expertise, and experience coordinating strategic planning, implementation, and assessment. The AVCRA is also expected to have deep and robust knowledge of federal regulations (including the Uniform Guidance, CFR, FAR, DFAR), and the legal and regulatory/compliance environment governing research administration. The AVCR will need to manage complex personnel issues including issues of inclusiveness, sensitivity, collaboration, performance improvement, and conflict resolution, and should have the requisite skills and experience to support the Office of Sponsored Programs and the Office of Contracts and Grants in these areas. They also will have the appropriate skills and experience to positively lead a diverse group of professionals and to work constructively, collaboratively, and diplomatically with many diverse individuals and groups both within and outside the university. Ideally, the AVCRA will have experience managing and supporting organizational change. The Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Administration will oversee the Director of Sponsored Programs, the Director of Contracts and Grants, and the Director of Financial Compliance.

Primary Function of Organizational Unit

The Division of Research manages N.C. A&T’s research enterprise. DORED provides services to faculty and student researchers, to current and potential research partners, funding agencies, and economic development agencies. It is headed by the Vice Chancellor for Research.

Minimum Requirements

Strong leadership, entrepreneurship and administration skills as well as a Master’s Degree with a minimum of ten (10) years’ experience in research and sponsored program administration, preferably with pre-award and post-award tasks for grants and contracts in a higher education.

Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education

The successful candidate will possess a distinguished record of excellence in research administration through demonstrated excellence and through professional activity.

Certification as CRA and record of NCURA and SRA membership.