Complex Research Administrator

Description:

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is at the forefront, internationally, of the scientific exploration of the universe. SAO combines its resources with those of the Harvard College Observatory to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). The CfA is the best-known astrophysics center in the world. Its programs range from ground-based astronomy and astrophysics research to space-based research, the engineering and development of major scientific instrumentation for space launch and use in large ground-based facilities, and research designed to improve science education. The research objectives of SAO are carried out primarily with the support of Government and Smithsonian Institution funds, with additional philanthropic support. Government funds are in the form of Federal appropriations or the form of contracts and grants from other agencies. In contrast, Institution funds are available to SAO through grants from the Institution's Restricted Funds, Special Purpose Funds, Bureau Activities, Business Activities, and non-Federal contracts and grants.

SUMMARY
This is the Complex Research Administrator position in the Research Administrative Services of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO). SAO, with the Harvard College Observatory (HCO), comprises the Center for Astrophysics (CfA) | Harvard & Smithsonian. The purpose of the position is to: 1) support the development and submission of complex research initiatives; 2) manage internal research funding competitions; 3) engage in both pre-award proposal development and post-award activity in support of complex proposals, broadly defined as a proposal with complicated vendor certification forms, lengthy checklists, multiple sub-contracts, and/or multi-year, multi-institute projects with large non-equipment related budgets; and 4) work on other pre-and post-award activities as needed.

MAJOR DUTIES

Complex Proposal Support:

• Engages in the pre-award research of grants/contracts opportunities, such as reviewing solicitations and analyzing necessary components.
• Organizes complex proposals on behalf of principal investigators. Complex proposals commonly include, but are not limited to, multi-principal Investigators and/or multi-unit proposals and are for large dollar amounts (e.g., over $1 M).
• Manages proposals with cost-sharing, sub-recipient costs, fixed-priced contracts, and Center or Program grants.
• Manages development and submission of applications.

Supervisory and Other Duties

• Provides overall human resources management to direct reports,, including interviewing and hiring new team members; determining training needs and arranging for training as appropriate by planning and assigning work, setting priorities, establishing deadlines, providing follow-up, supervising day-to-day awards activities, developing performance standards; reviewing performance (probationary and annual); recommending performance awards; recommending and taking necessary disciplinary action; giving advice, counsel, and instruction to team members; and approving leave.
• Oversees preparation and dissemination of guidance material to all key SAO personnel to inform, clarify, and explain significant regulatory requirements, policies, procedures, and associated changes.
• Responsible for coordinating with appropriate SAO and SI departments on enhancements to and operation of the systems and processes within their domain.
• Maintain communications with all Division Administrators, Program Managers, and Department Managers within SAO regarding their satisfaction with Sponsored Programs and Procurement services.