POSITION SUMMARY:
The Director of Social and Behavioral Research has primary responsibility for the development of strategic goals and day-to-day research operations, research administration, and management of new and ongoing research projects. The Director of Social and Behavioral Research is a technical leader with a high degree of knowledge in the overall field and may manage programs that include formulating strategies and administering policies, processes, and resources. The Director of Social and Behavioral Research works on highly complex proposals that may involve multiple parties and multifaceted budgets. This position will be focused on providing analytical and financial support for external and internal researchers and program staff involved with research studies.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Works with Howard Brown’s leadership team to develop strategic goals forwarding social and behavioral research initiatives, creating a vibrant culture of research at Howard Brown.
Responsible for the development and administration of the social and behavioral research portfolio.
Acts as liaison between PI, Howard Brown administration, research team and program staff. Manages support to Principal Investigators and the department of research through study development and implementation.
Responsible for developing processes and procedures in coordination with grants management and finance departments to ensure timely award submission and post-award management.
Oversees development and implementation of annual departmental budget and ensure that expenses are in-line with revenue forecasts. Provides analytical and financial support in proposal processing contract and grant administration and budget development.
Ensures that research program meets regulatory requirements agency policies and procedures, administering and monitoring contract and grant awards, including subcontract/sub award administration in compliance with regulations, terms and conditions.
Maintains complete and accurate collection of research management administration, documents and data for the pre-award phase of proposals and resulting contracts and grants.
Responsible for supporting dissemination of research activities, including collaboration with educations and communications departments on research findings and publication.
Examines and/or analyzes problems, issues, and challenges related to research administration, operations, and procedural requirements. Acts as an intermediary for investigating critical and sensitive matters that may be of interest to the agency such as research ethics (e.g.IRB and Conflict of Interest), finances, and human resources.
Assists with research capacity building and research training efforts, including providing administrative recommendations and providing researchers and departments with strategies and support which will lead to research capacity.
Collaborates with community advisory groups and other staff involved in community engagement to ensure research activities are community driven.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Supervises designated department staff, including: Research staff as assigned.
Supervises managers of research projects and managers of research teams
QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Bachelor’s degree in related area. Master’s degree preferred.
Knowledge of the range of research operations and compliance issues, policies, regulations, and precedents applicable to research studies in community health setting.
Basic knowledge of multi-component financials aspects of grants, contracts, especially program administration guidelines of Federal and non-Federal sponsors supporting research and educational activities
Experience with developing written policies, especially as they pertain to research operations.
Ability to function with a high degree of autonomy.
Maintains knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply sponsor, agency and departmental policies.
Requires independent judgment and strong organization and communication skills and customer service focus.
Ability to interpret policy for others.
Stays current on compliance regulations in all areas of research administration.
Experience working in a research environment, including understanding of the fiscal and human resources aspects of grants management, pre and post award.
