Director, Research Administration

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $115,000-$128,000

Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director of Research, the Director of Research Administration spearheads Columbia Business School's research funding initiatives. In this role, the Director will oversee grants through their full lifecycle while collaborating across departments to streamline processes and implement best practices for managing research projects. This position will identify internal and external funding opportunities, provide comprehensive support to faculty and staff across the award lifecycle, and ensure compliance with university and sponsor guidelines. The ideal candidate will bring exceptional organizational, problem-solving and leadership skills to foster efficient and effective funding initiatives.

About Columbia Business School

For over a century, Columbia Business School (CBS) has helped develop leaders and builders of enterprises who drive value for their stakeholders and society at large through our MBA, MS, PhD, and Executive Education programs. We are equally committed to cultivating new scholars and teachers and to creating and disseminating pathbreaking knowledge, concepts, and tools that advance the understanding and practice of management through our faculty research and PhD programs. Our vision is simple: to develop ideas and leaders that transform the world-from the very center of business.

Our ever-evolving curriculum, featuring pioneering courses, STEM certification, and immersive experiential learning, prepares students to excel in key areas such as digital transformation, entrepreneurship, innovation, twenty-first-century finance, the intersection of business and society, and climate and sustainability. The CBS administration enables CBS' educational and scholarly mission through strategic and operational guidance and support, optimizing School resources through well-designed, transparent processes with a culture of respect for all.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with faculty and researchers to identify funding opportunities that align with their research priorities.
• Oversees the preparation and submission of grant proposals, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timeliness.
• Reviews budgets, justifications, and other proposal components to meet sponsor requirements and university policies.
• Acts as a liaison with external funding agencies to clarify guidelines and resolve submission issues.
• Provides training and guidance to faculty and staff on the grant application process, including navigating sponsor portals and using internal systems.

Post-Award Support and Financial Management

• Monitors award set-up processes to ensure accurate allocation of funds in compliance with sponsor and university policies.
• Works closely with the Financial Planning Office to track expenditures, process reimbursements, and manage cost-sharing obligations.
• Coordinates with faculty and staff to prepare and submit timely progress and financial reports.
• Serves as the primary contact for resolving post-award issues, such as budget modifications, no-cost extensions, and compliance concerns.
• Supports audits by preparing required documentation and responding to auditor inquiries.

Development of Best Practices

• Designs and implements standardized policies, procedures, and tools for funding administration to improve efficiency and compliance.
• Provides ongoing training for faculty and staff on topics such as proposal development, financial management, and sponsor regulations.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of federal, state, and private sponsor requirements, as well as emerging trends in research funding.
• Develops and disseminates resources, such as templates, guides, and FAQs, to support research teams in their work.
• Leads periodic training sessions for faculty and staff regarding best practices and process changes.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required; an advanced degree in business, public administration, or a related field is preferred.
• A minimum of 7-10 years of experience in an academic or research-intensive environment.
• Prior experience with research/faculty administration.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree strongly preferred.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills with an ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Experience designing and implementing process improvements for greater efficiency,
• Strong leaderships skills, including the ability to manage complex projects, drive strategic initiatives, and collaborate across departments.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to engage with diverse stakeholders, including faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to train and support faculty and staff on best practices, policies, and systems
• Prior experience with administrative operational and financial management within a school or division.
• Experience working in a development office or non-profit fundraising environment is highly desirable.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.