Grants & Contract Director, BioMADE

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and at least 10 years of relevant grant/contract experience.
• Significant knowledge of federal and/or non-federal contract and grant administration, preferably within the context of an educational institution.
• Mature professional judgment and effective problem resolution skills required.
• Ability to work collegially and effectively in a wide variety of roles (e.g., leader, follower, participant, advocate).
• Experience working with and maintaining confidential information
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally with a wide variety of people including faculty, senior leaders, administrators, staff, students, and sponsor representatives. Ability to establish and maintain positive and sustained relationships that foster a high level of trust.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced Degree in relevant field
• Supervisory experience preferred
• Experience at a defense-focused nonprofit R&D facility helpful, but not required
• Experience with Code of Federal Regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulations, grant administration circulars, regulations and policies. Knowledge of clinical trial contracting desirable.
• Knowledge of contract law as it relates to the non-profit educational institution sector and extensive demonstrated negotiation skills and experience.
• Experience with accounting, contracting, or procurement and knowledge of federal government organization, operation and administrative procedures desirable.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in leading during change preferred.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in conflict resolution.
• Experience with Grants.Gov (workspace, ASSIST) ERA electronic research administration systems, Peoplesoft Financials or other ERP financial systems desirable.

Position Overview:
The Grants and Contract Director serves as the senior-most contract and grant expert for BioMADE, a Department of Defense (DoD) sponsored bioindustrial Manufacturing Innovation Institute (MII). The Grants and Contract Director will be responsible for the oversight of the DoD grant award and all related subawards. This position will supervise the BioMADE Contracting Officer.

Job Duties:
80% Oversight of BioMADE Award and Subawards

• Oversight, negotiation, and administration of complex contractual agreements between the BioMADE and its partners for the conduct of research, training, and other sponsored activities. This position will also be responsible for the effective issuance and monitoring of subawards.
• This position will have the authority to execute proposals, awards, and subawards and related documents on behalf of BioMADE.
• Interpret where University of Minnesota policies and procedures apply based upon a working knowledge of the various federal, state, and University regulations.
• Maintain oversight of subaward tracking, issuance, subrecipient monitoring policy and procedure, invoice payments, and subaward closeouts.
• Lead BioMADE’s compliance efforts with the Federal Funding and Accountability Transparency Act and DATA Act, including reporting obligations into the Federal Subcontractor Reporting System. This responsibility includes coordination with other University offices, including Purchasing, who have reportable transactions.
• Use sound professional judgment to effectively balance compliance needs with the University and BioMADE’s commitments to encourage and facilitate research, and the ability to convey potential change and listen for feedback in a collaborative and constructive way.
• Proactively encourage and facilitate collaborative partnerships with clients, faculty and staff by consulting frequently with faculty, senior administrators, sponsored project administration staff, and departmental research administration staff. Demonstrated commitment to excellent customer service required.
• Advise and assist BioMADE leadership in responding to proposed legislation and federal agency proposed regulations affecting sponsored project policy and administration.
• Interact with colleagues at all levels in the public and private sectors to encourage consensus on research policy and administration issues. Maintain currency in the regulations, requirements and national practices and procedures impacting research administration. In these capacities, it is expected that the incumbent will participate in national listservs, professional development opportunities, and/or one or more professional organizations or groups (e.g., NCURA, SRA , FDP, COGR, Big 10 meetings, or equivalent.)
• Performs special projects as requested, including those involving the coordination of large teams of individuals and with potential University-wide impact and those involving office wide impact.

20% Supervise Contracting Officer

• Manage, mentor, and evaluate BioMADE Contracting Officer
• Recognize and reward staff achievement
• Recommend continuing education and professional development opportunities

The University of Minnesota is seeking highly-motivated candidates to work for its College of Biological Science (CBS). The successful candidate will be part of a group of CBS employees assigned to perform duties for BioIndustrial Manufacturing and Design Ecosystem (BioMADE) at BioMADE’s facility on the University’s Saint Paul campus. BioMADE is a Department of Defense (DoD) sponsored Manufacturing Innovations Institute (MII). BioMADE has contracted with the University to provide University personnel to staff its St. Paul facility.

BioMADE joins eight DoD-sponsored MIIs as part of the Manufacturing USA network. BioMADE will support the growth and sustainment of domestic bioindustrial manufacturing, perform research and development (R&D) activities, facilitate the distribution of R&D funding to member institutions, and support national defense needs. BioMADE will be the nation’s leading collaborative research institute dedicated to advancing bioindustrial manufacturing technologies.

The University of Minnesota itself is among the largest public research universities in the country and is located at the heart of one of the nation’s most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities. University of Minnesota employees enjoy purpose-driven work, competitive wages and benefits, opportunities for advancement, and a flexible work environment.

Please consider joining the University of Minnesota and its highly motivated BioMADE unit, where we are dedicated to advancing the bioeconomy.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

This position will involve access to hardware, commodities, and technical information subject to the Export Administration Regulations or International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Accordingly, any hiring decision might depend in part on the University’s ability to obtain or rely on federal government authorization as required, if you are not a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S. (“green card holder”), asylee, refugee, or other qualifying protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.