Working with the Deputy Director of the Nutrition Research Institute (NRI), the Assistant Director, Grants and Finance is responsible for the fiscal management of approximately $32M in annual sponsored and non-sponsored funding associated with sponsored projects, University Development Office funding, research core services, facilities and administration, and all internal research and administrative programs. This includes sponsored and non-sponsored award and financial management, fiscal reporting, and billing and collections. Additionally, the position provides short and long-term budget planning and assists the Deputy Director in planning for and managing operations and strategies for research and programmatic growth. The Assistant Director oversees all sponsored research (pre- and post-award) and clinical studies management activities at the NRI, as well as effort and HR allocation for faculty research employees at the NRI, Gillings School of Global Public Health, School of Dentistry, School of Social Work, and School of Medicine.
The position provides financial management of all F&A, state, research cores, and restricted and unrestricted trust accounts. The incumbent meets regularly with and provides advice to the NRI Director, Deputy Director, Research Core Directors, faculty, postdocs, and staff regarding fund balances, projections, sensitive/critical and/or highly complex issues and interprets a broad range of sponsored policies and state and federal government regulations. Moreover, the position is focused on fiscal planning and strategy, service excellence, and compliance with policies, standard operating procedures, and regulations. The Assistant Director must stay current with new, existing, and upcoming rules to ensure the Institute remains compliant. The position oversees integrity and quality assurance over the work output of the Grants and Finance team as required by the Office of Sponsored Research, Office of Human Research Ethics, Science and Security, University Development Office, Institutional Integrity and Risk Management and others within UNC’s research community. The Assistant Director manages relationships, expectations, and fiscal stewardship responsibilities for NRI’s internal stakeholders and external clients, including federal and non-federal sponsors.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Mid- to late-career with Masters and 2-4 years experience; Bachelors and 3-5 years experience
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Excellent, demonstrated project management skills
Highly proficient in forecasting and implementing financial strategies
Demonstrated ability to work independently, develop plans, analyze information, make critical decisions, and work collaboratively and effectively with all levels
Judgement and discretion – the ability to make effective recommendations and decisions, problem solve, and handle confidential information with discretion
Solution oriented, resourceful, and proactive when pursuing strategies for problem resolution
Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate in both written and oral form
Strong leadership skills and willingness to serve alongside team members
Highly proficient in MS Office Suite
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and collaborative decision-making in the workplace
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Experience in sponsored research administration and compliance preferably in a higher education setting
Prior supervisory experience
Knowledge of federal and sponsor regulations and guidelines strongly preferred
Knowledge of UNC financial systems, policies, and procedures
Learning how people can eat uniquely!
The UNC Nutrition Research Institute (NRI) is an internationally recognized center conducting innovative basic and translational science to establish how individual differences in nutrient requirements and responses to diet affect our nutritional needs. Our research contributes to the prevention and mitigation of chronic disease across the lifespan from periconception through aging.
Our Mission is to lead precision nutrition research through understanding how genetics and environment affect an individual’s requirements for and responses to nutrients.
NRI principal investigators hold faculty appointments in the departments of Nutrition and Psychology at UNC Chapel Hill. Their research interrogates nutrient roles in disease prevention, disease risk factors, and the impact of gene-environment and gene-nutrient interactions.
The NRI promotes excellence in nutrition knowledge, teaching, and research. We seek and encourage a diversity of experiences and ideas and provide the tools and flexibility for all employees to achieve success and excellence within their chosen occupations and aspirations.
We are committed to open dialogue, care...ful listening, becoming educated about the systems that hinder or prevent success, and taking action to ensure that all are equally acknowledged for their contributions and equally reap the benefits of being part of our community.
Our Vision is to use scientific discovery to ensure optimal health through individualized nutrition.
Everyone who works at the NRI supports this hopeful vision. Working at the NRI means doing good for the world. Join us!
