How to Apply
A cover letter is required and must be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should describe your interest in this in-office position and how your experience aligns with the responsibilities of this role.
Use of generative AI tools to help draft application materials is permitted. Candidates should ensure materials reflect their own experience and include specific, outcomes-focused examples relevant to this position.
Who We Are
This position is located in the Survey Research Center (SRC) Director's Office within the Institute for Social Research (ISR). SRC is a national leader in survey research methodology and is committed to a culture where staff and faculty contributions may differ but are equally valued.
You will join SRC's community of research administration professionals who support cradle-to-grave sponsored projects activity across SRC. This role represents the SRC Director's Office to SRC units, ISR, University partners, sponsors, and the research community.
Position title: Research Administration Senior Manager
Underfill title: Research Administration Manager
Working title: SRC Grant & Contracts Senior Manager (Underfill: SRC Grants & Contracts Manager)
Reporting line: Reports to the SRC Assistant Director
Classification: This position may be filled at the Research Administration Senior Manager level or as an underfill at the Research Administration Manager level, based on the selected candidate's qualifications
Responsibilities*
What You'll Do
Center-level review, approval, and expert advising (primary focus)
- Serve as SRC's local expert on research administration and compliance, providing consultation and problem-solving support to SRC research administrators, faculty, and staff.
- Provide center-level review and approval for SRC proposals and selected research administration actions, using independent judgment to ensure compliance with sponsor, federal, University, ISR, and SRC requirements.
- Advise on complex or high-risk matters (e.g., award terms and conditions, cost sharing, reporting obligations, subrecipient arrangements, data agreements, and compliance topics), escalating as appropriate to the SRC Assistant Director.
Compliance leadership and sponsor/University requirements
- Monitor and interpret changes in sponsor and federal requirements (particularly NIH and NSF) and translate updates into practical guidance, tools, and unit procedures.
- Advise faculty and staff on COI/COC obligations, sponsor-specific requirements, and reporting timelines; review COI disclosures for completeness and compliance; maintain unit records and documentation for unit-managed FCOI disclosures/management plans, as applicable.
- Help ensure agreements/MOUs and partner arrangements align with applicable sponsor, federal, University, and unit policies and procedures, including human subjects protections and data-related requirements as applicable.
Professional development, training, and pipeline-building
- Create and sustain an environment that supports professional development for SRC research administration staff, including onboarding, cross-training, coaching/mentoring, and structured learning opportunities.
- Coordinate and deliver training and information-sharing on lifecycle research administration practices, compliance, and process updates; support development of a pipeline of staff preparing to move into research administrator roles.
- Provide day-to-day mentorship and escalation support to research administrators working across SRC units.
Strategic analysis and planning support
- In partnership with the SRC Director of Financial Operations and SRC Assistant Director, perform analysis and longer-term projections of research-related activity (e.g., proposal volume, award trends, staffing implications, compliance workload, AI integration, and portfolio complexity) to inform SRC strategic planning and decision-making.
- Contribute to reports, dashboards, and other materials that support SRC leadership's planning and portfolio management.
Targeted hands-on coverage (as needed)
- Step in periodically to assist with complex proposal development/submission and other hands-on pre- or post-award work as needed (e.g., high-complexity submissions, urgent deadlines, or coverage during research administrator absences).
People leadership
- Oversee a team of approximately 3-4 research administrators (including staff shared with SRC programs), with emphasis on coaching, quality review, consistency of practice, and service-oriented collaboration.
Required Qualifications*
What You'll Bring
- Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Research Administration Senior Manager: 9+ years of progressive grants/contracts administration experience.
- Research Administration Manager (underfill): 6+ years of progressive grants/contracts administration experience.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply sponsor, federal, and institutional policies and requirements, and to provide clear guidance to others.
- Significant hands-on experience with federal awards and sponsor systems (e.g., eRA Commons, Research.gov) and related reporting processes (e.g., RPPR or comparable).
- Expert knowledge of eResearch (or a comparable research/proposal management system).
- Expert knowledge of M-Pathways Financials (or a comparable enterprise HR/financial management system).
- Demonstrated skill in reviewing work for compliance, completeness, and risk; ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
- Administrative and/or functional supervisory experience.
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; professionalism and discretion.
- Advanced proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Acrobat.
Desired Qualifications*
What Will Help You Thrive
- Master's degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
- 10+ years of progressive grants/contracts administration experience in an academic or research environment.
- Research administration certification (from an accredited organization).
- Demonstrated experience with COI/COC reviews and FCOI management plans.
- Knowledge of U-M sponsored programs policies and practices (financial and administrative).
- Demonstrated success with supervision, mentoring, and employee development.
- PEERRS certification.
- Completion of University of Michigan Navigate training (instructor role highly desired).
- Expert-level knowledge of ISR (or comparable School/College/Division) policies and procedures.
- Project management training and/or certification.
Why Work at Michigan?
Benefits at the University of Michigan
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and any eligible family members, and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
- Generous time off
- A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting upon meeting eligibility requirements
- Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
Learn more about U-M benefits.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Work Locations
This position is based on-site in Ann Arbor, with hybrid flexibility consistent with SRC policy. As the administrative hub and resource for the faculty, staff, and students of the Survey Research Center, members of the SRC Director's Office full-time staff work 5 days on-site or 4 days on-site/1 day remote.
Underfill Statement
This position may be filled at the Research Administration Manager level when the selected candidate demonstrates strong foundational expertise in sponsored projects administration and compliance, but has not yet fully developed the depth and breadth expected to independently lead center-level review/approval across the most complex SRC portfolio elements, deliver unit-wide training/standardization at scale, and produce advanced research-portfolio analysis/projections for strategic leadership.
The underfill incumbent is expected to progress toward Senior Manager responsibilities through increased independence and leadership in: (1) center-level review and risk-based decision-making; (2) compliance advising and policy translation; (3) training, mentorship, and pipeline development; and (4) strategic analysis and planning support.
Openings may be filled at the Research Administration Manager or Research Administration Senior Manager level depending on match with opportunity, your depth and breadth of experience and qualifications.
- Positions at the Research Administration Manager level will be filled at the $110,000-$125,000 salary range.
- Positions at the Research Administration Senior Manager level will be filled at the $126,000-$150,000 salary range.
- Higher salary possible for an exceptionally qualified candidate.
Additional Information
The statements included in this description are intended to reflect the general nature and level of work assigned to this classification and should not be interpreted as all-inclusive.
The Institute for Social Research (ISR) at the University of Michigan seeks to create a community of respect and authentic collaboration by recruiting and retaining individuals that represent a variety of voices as a reflection of our commitment to serve the people of Michigan, to maintain the excellence of the university, and to ground our research in varied disciplines, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Institute for Social Research job openings are posted for a minimum of fourteen (14) calendar days. Candidates will be evaluated based on qualifications and interest areas.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.