• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $80,000-$90,000

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Strategic Research Development, the Manager of Strategic Research Initiatives collaborates with faculty, administrative leadership, and staff at Columbia Engineering to manage the entire research proposal lifecycle-from concept to submission, negotiations, and execution, and management of funded proposals.

This role blends project management, strategic research development, and data-driven decision-making to promote new research areas, foster high-value collaborations, and enhance the competitiveness of multidisciplinary grant proposals. You will ensure continued success and potential renewals of large-size funded proposals. Additionally, the role oversees internal funding programs like the SEAS Interdisciplinary Research Seed (SIRS) and the SEAS Translational Acceleration Research (STAR) Program, as well as individual external funding opportunities like various Young Investigator programs, which are essential for supporting innovative, high-risk research and the necessary collaborations for success. In this position, you will be a key player in advancing Columbia Engineering's strategic research priorities.

In addition, Columbia Engineering offers a dynamic and innovative environment for research development, with access to cutting-edge facilities, a collaborative community, and the vibrant, resource-rich backdrop of New York City, providing unparalleled opportunities for professional growth and industry connections.

Responsibilities

(50%) Project Planning & Management

• Collaborations supporting large-scale, complex research proposals. Key functions include:

• Proposal Development Management: For each research proposal, establish project work plans and timelines, identify critical milestones, internal deadlines, and deliverables, and ensure compliance with solicitation requirements using project management best practices. Lead notetaking during planning meetings and communicate action items to team members.

• Collaboration and Team Support: Draft letters and documents, set and communicate timelines and expectations for deliverables, and coordinate other project development activities. Maintain productive and collegial relationships with all stakeholders.

• Event and Meeting Organization: Plan, support, and organize research development meetings and events, including workshops, team-bonding activities, and color team reviews.

• Partner Engagement: Maintain engagement with existing partners, including the Office of Research Initiatives within the University's Office of Executive Vice President for Research, the Columbia Global Centers, and the Office of the Vice Provost for Fourth Purpose and Strategic Impact within the Provost's Office, to facilitate awareness of intramural programs and activities.

(30%) Internal Research Grant and Fellowship Program Management:

• Responsible for managing the School's annual calls for research proposals (RFP) and calls for research fellowship nominations (CFN). Key functions include:

• RFP/CFN Information Maintenance: Maintain up-to-date information about each RFP/CFN in the InfoReady software and parallel systems.

• Promotion: Create and distribute promotional materials to inform potential applicants, within and outside Columbia Engineering, of open competitions.

• Review Process Management: For each competition, identify appropriate reviewers, establish rubrics for scoring and ranking applications, manage collection and compilation of reviews, schedule review meetings, and draft and distribute decision letters.

• Financial Coordination: Collaborate with the appropriate financial offices to ensure proper financial setup of projects and provide oversight of award expenditures.

• Progress Reporting: Manage collection of progress reports from awardees, and compile program reports according to sponsor requirements.

(15%) Process and Institutional Knowledge Management:

• Develop and maintain processes, policies, template documents, best practices, and knowledge bases for the Strategic Research Development team and Office for Research. Key functions include:

• Template and Boilerplate Development: Create templates and boilerplate language for Columbia Engineering researchers to leverage for future large-scale proposals, including Budget Narratives, Management Plans, Communications & Outreach Plans, Diversity Plans, Technology Transfer Plans, Education Plans, and Project Management Plans.

• Process Improvement: Collect, organize, and communicate or implement best practices, lessons, and ideas from proposal project teams to generate higher-quality proposals and project management processes.

• Continuous Improvement Review Organization: Organize project review and lessons learned sessions to increase institutional knowledge about project management best practices, funders, and specific funding programs, enhancing ongoing competitiveness and decision-making.

• Provide Institutional Feedback: Establish a feedback loop with core partners to share insights and lessons learned from project reviews, fostering collaboration and enhancing the effectiveness and alignment of future proposals.

(5%) Special Projects:

• Performs other tasks, duties, and responsibilities as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education (e.g., an associate's degree) and experience will be considered.

• At least three years of experience in project management and handling complex projects.

• Project Management Knowledge: In-depth understanding of the varied responsibilities of a project manager.

• Experience with project management tools and techniques, such as Asana or Smartsheet. Proficiency in resource allocation, setting deliverable expectations, and managing critical deadlines.

• Ability to administer and coordinate research and reporting programs, identifying and resolving issues.

• Ability to liaise and maintain cooperative working relationships with other public and private agencies and institutions of higher education.

• Ability to direct activities related to the monitoring, review, audit, and evaluation of program performance and services.

• Ability to prepare and oversee the preparation of correspondence, statistical reports, program reviews, and evaluations.

• Knowledge of office productivity software, including MS Office (specifically Excel), project management tools (e.g., Asana, Smartsheet, Notion), report preparation (e.g., Excel pivot tables or comparable experience), and Adobe Acrobat.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a higher education setting.

• Post-baccalaureate coursework, certifications (e.g., Project Management Professional - PMP), or a graduate degree.

• Experience with grants or research administration is a plus.

• Experience in building and forecasting budgets.

• Advanced Knowledge and Experience using Project Management software (e.g., Asana, Smartsheet, Notion)