Job No: 501682 Work Type: Staff Full Time (1500 hours or greater) Location: Dayton, OH Category: Research Staff Department: Contracts & Grants Office - 250240 Pay Grade: MA3 - Exempt Advertised: February 15, 2024 Applications close: Position Summary: UDRI is a national leader in scientific and engineering research, serving government, industry, and nonprofit customers. UDRI contributes to the fulfillment of the University’s commitments to education, research, and public service through the involvement of students, faculty, and external partners. Established as the research arm of the University of Dayton in 1956, UDRI achieved $2.75 billion in cumulative sponsored research in 2020. Sponsored research for 2023 alone exceeded $235 million. The Institute has a tradition of research excellence with an uncompromising commitment to providing customers with quality products while maintaining the highest ethical standards. It is keenly aware that compliance with applicable laws and regulations is an essential condition for performing its business. Its commitment to compliance is based on providing a supportive environment, the integrity of its employees, and their support of the University's policies and applicable laws and regulations of the United States. The Director of Contracts and Grants is responsible for providing leadership and oversight of the Contracts and Grants Office while delivering on strategic initiatives within a culture that is consistent with the values of the University. The Contracts and Grants Office is responsible for pre-award activities, including the development and timely submission of technical and cost proposals that are compliant with customer requirements; negotiation and award of contracts and grants; administration of contracts and grants from account set up through closeout; and negotiation, award, and administration of subcontracts. The Director of Contracts and Grants provides legal, regulatory, and business guidance on a variety of issues related to the University’s sponsored programs, including UDRI’s portfolio of federal contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and other awards. The Director provides expert guidance on strategies and methodologies for bidding complex government and commercial programs, contributes to developing policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with government regulations, and ensures that sponsored projects are established in a timely fashion. The Director maintains a high degree of knowledge of federal regulations, including the Federal Acquisition Regulations and the OMB Uniform Guidance. The Director ensures that all functions in the office are meeting business and customer needs. Finally, the Director sets the example for others to follow in terms of professionalism, work ethic, integrity, and a culture of service to internal and external customers. Specific duties assigned to the Director of Contracts and Grants include: <ul> <li>Provides leadership to the Contracts and Grants Office to include developing and mentoring employees and ensuring the office supports strategic initiatives and research execution within a culture that is consistent with the values of the University</li> <li>Ensures the terms of all contracts, research agreements, nondisclosure agreements, teaming agreements, and other formal agreements or legal instruments are favorable to the University and conform to University policies</li> <li>Maintains productive relationships and provides expert advice and counsel to researchers, staff, faculty, and senior management on the interpretation of contract terms and conditions, risk mitigation, and government regulations; monitors proposed legislation and developing issues that could affect the University</li> <li>Sets a high standard for ethical conduct and maintains a highly productive staff through mentorship, development, and clear communication of expectations and feedback on performance</li> <li>Reviews and negotiates more complex government and commercial contract terms and conditions</li> <li>Supports large competitive business development pursuits and proposals by advising business development teams on the acquisition processes and supporting strategy development </li> <li>Interfaces with auditors and ensures the University maintains compliant business processes and systems</li> <li>Assists with the development, refinement, and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure University compliance with applicable laws and regulations</li> <li>Works collaboratively across the organization, particularly with division heads and principal investigators to quickly resolve issues as they arise</li> <li>Represents the University and UDRI in business relationships with government, commercial, and professional organizations</li> </ul> Minimum Qualifications: <ul> <li>Bachelors degree in a relevant field and ten (10) years of relevant experience including significant federal government contracting experience</li> <li>Five (5) years of leadership and supervisory experience </li> <li>Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse teams and constituents </li> <li>Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of contracting principles and all contract types including Firm Fixed Price, Time and Material, Cost Plus Fixed Fee, and Cost Reimbursable</li> <li>Strong knowledge of current Federal Acquisition Regulations and other laws and regulations applicable to contracts.</li> <li>Extensive knowledge of the federal acquisition process, government contracting principles, the bid and proposal process (including budget development), and governing regulations (including FAR/DFAR)</li> <li>Strong analytical skills, and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing</li> <li>Ability to prioritize and manage work activities in a fast-paced environment and communicate effectively at all levels of an organization</li> <li>Proven ability to develop high-performing teams and efficient business processes</li> <li>Excellent interpersonal, leadership and supervisory skills including goal setting, mentoring or coaching and monitoring of progress</li> <li>Due to the requirements of our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates for this position must be a U.S. citizen and have the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance</li> </ul> Preferred Qualifications: While not everyone may possess all of the preferred qualifications, the ideal candidate will bring many of the following: <ul> <li>Advanced degree in a relevant field </li> <li>Juris doctor</li> <li>15 years of relevant experience including significant federal government contracting research administration experience</li> <li>Five years of experience working for a defense contractor</li> <li>Five years of experience working with the Department of Defense and the General Services Administration</li> <li>Experience with 2 CFR 200 OMB Uniform Guidance</li> <li>Experience with Deltek Costpoint ERP</li> <li>Licensed to Practice Law in the State of Ohio</li> </ul> Special Instructions to Applicants: To apply please submit a cover letter addressing each minimum qualification and any applicable preferred qualifications that you meet. Closing Statement: Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Informed by this commitment, we seek to increase diversity, achieve equitable outcomes, and model inclusion across our campus community. As an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer, we will not discriminate against minorities, women, protected veterans, individuals with disabilities, or on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Director, Contracts & Grants

University of Dayton