Senior Sponsored Research Officer, Federal Team
Overview
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.
With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world’s leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world’s deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.
At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems.
The Senior Sponsored Research Officer (Team Lead), Federal Team, Office of Sponsored Research (OSR), under the general direction of the Federal Team Manager, provides comprehensive central support for pre-award and non-accounting post award functions and services related to the administration of Federally sponsored projects at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (Fred Hutch). Senior Sponsored Research Officer may have day-to-day supervisory responsibilities and/or oversight of specific focus areas. As a part of the Federal leadership and OSR teams, the Senior Sponsored Research Officer supports the Federal Team to ensure that a high level of service to and partnership with the Fred Hutch research community is achieved and consistently maintained.
Responsibilities
- On behalf of Fred Hutch, with little to no oversight, and within delegated authority, exercise independent signature authority for Federally sponsored grants and contracts of varying complexities, including reviewing and submitting proposals, negotiating and accepting/executing awards, determining the need for legal review and coordinating institutional policy exceptions, and provide support to Federal Team with such delegated authorities. Ensures that negotiations of award terms protect the interests of Fred Hutch, its faculty and staff, while balancing those interests with the needs of the sponsors.
- With little to no oversight, provide sponsored project central support to Fred Hutch Researchers and Research Administrators for post-award administrative matters, including setting up sponsored projects accounts in electronic systems, reviewing and submitting sponsor prior approval requests, expenditure requests, and reporting obligations.
- With little to no oversight, serve as a campus resource regarding proposal and award administration for federal sponsors, and for interpreting, explaining, and applying Fred Hutch and external research regulations and policies, guidelines, and procedures related to the administration, management, and oversight of sponsored projects and research administration, and participate in the development and delivery of related institution-wide training initiatives.
- Act as primary liaison with federal sponsors and regulatory oversight agencies as necessary, including review and endorsement of official institutional correspondence to external sponsors and collaborating institutions.
- Under the direction of the Federal Team Manager, may provide day-to-day supervision, conduct staff training, set team goals and objectives, implement team-building strategies, employ outcome measures to evaluate goal attainment (individual and team benchmarks), evaluate staff, maintain job descriptions, and take corrective action as needed.
- Participate in the recruitment, hiring, orientation and professional development of the Federal Team.
- Under the direction of the Federal Team Manager, ensure that OSR personnel possess current knowledge of applicable federal regulations, laws, statutes, and Fred Hutch policies and procedures, as they relate to the negotiation, administration, and management of Federal sponsored projects.
- Participate in the assessment of the Federal Team regarding their ability to maintain high-quality, value-added services in response to the workload volume and complexity; implement efficiencies and new, creative approaches where necessary to address increases in workload volume or complexity. Participate in establishing standards for OSR service delivery, and developing and monitoring internal performance measurements to ensure high levels of customer service and accomplishments of objectives.
- Participate in the development and implementation of new or revised OSR policies, guidelines and procedures, including development of systems requirements, coordination of user input, user training, and implementation of applicable information technology systems and solutions.
- Serve as a team mentor, providing guidance and assistance in training OSR staff as applicable.
- Advise Fred Hutch personnel and leadership of critical and/or sensitive issues related to sponsored projects administration.
- Represent OSR at institution-wide meetings and attend professional meetings of research administration societies and associations, as appropriate.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- HS Diploma or GED.
- 3-5 years of progressively responsible duties related to sponsored research, grants management or related experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
- Demonstrated ability to function successfully as an effective part of a collaborative team environment in a complex organization.
- Ability to quickly analyze complex information using logic and reasoning to define problems, identify patterns and relationships, formulate logical and objective conclusions, and recognize alternatives and their implications.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrated ability to balance tact, diplomacy, and assertiveness and handle highly confidential matters in a discreet manner and demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships among a diverse constituency.
- Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills sufficient to present and explain complex concepts, practices, policies, guidelines and procedures and their underlying principles.
- Ability to work in a changing environment, possesses strong analytic/assessment skills, possess excellent organizational skills and be able to prioritize multiple responsibilities and deadlines with little to no supervision and high degree of accuracy, productivity, and consistency.
- Demonstrated computer skills using Microsoft Office, including heavy use of Excel, Teams, and Outlook, as well as use of Word and PowerPoint.
- Strong understanding of regulations, laws, and sponsor policies related to sponsored projects administration, including the OMB Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance; Federal Research Terms and Conditions (including Agency Specific Terms and Conditions) and Federal Acquisition Regulations and working knowledge of external regulations, laws and sponsor policies related to other areas of research administration including, protection of research subjects, disclosure of financial interests, and financial management of sponsored projects.
- Ability to lead and make well informed decisions with minimal guidance.
- Ability to supervise and motivate staff, including recruiting, selection, training, mentoring, coaching, delegation, performance review and formal and informal evaluation.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in a related field.
- Ability to conduct and support short-term and long-range strategic planning, including the ability to assess multiple variables and objectives and develop effective recommendations.
- Experience with Federal Sponsor electronic research administration systems, such as eRA Commons, Research.gov, or eBRAP.
- Experience or exposure to the use of Oracle or PeopleSoft financial systems and/or research administration products such as Huron Click, Research Ed or Cayuse.
- Ability to negotiate complex research agreements.
The annual base salary range for this position is from $97,822 to $146,682, and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications.Although Fred Hutch is not sponsoring most H-1B visas at this time, candidates who already hold an H-1B sponsored by another organization and are currently in the U.S. may be eligible for this position.Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers employees a comprehensive benefits package designed to enhance health, well-being, and financial security. Benefits include medical/vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, life, disability, retirement, family life support, employee assistance program, onsite health clinic, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation (12-22 days per year), paid sick leave (12-25 days per year), paid holidays (13 days per year), and paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks).