Lead Research Administrator for Academic Affairs

Lead Research Administrator for Academic Affairs

Executive Vice Chancellor's Office

Summary of Job Details

As part of the Academic Affairs Research Services (AARS) team in the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor, the Lead Research Administrator for Academic Affairs provides expert-level post-award financial management for a portfolio of high-complexity sponsored projects within AARS. This role supports UCSB's research mission through advanced fiscal oversight, strategic financial planning, and high-level coordination with faculty, departmental administrators, and central offices. The Lead Research Administrator serves as a technical leader and recognized campus expert in research finance, often guiding compliance interpretation and shaping financial management practices. Core responsibilities include the full lifecycle of complex awards—from proposal and budget establishment through closeout—with independent authority over cost transfers, effort reporting, subaward oversight, and sponsor billing. They lead the development of internal systems, ensure regulatory compliance, mentors other analysts, and contribute to university-wide process improvement initiatives. Regularly collaborates with AARS Analysts, Sponsored Projects Office, Extramural Funds Accounting, Payroll, Procurement, Accounts Payable, and Principal Investigators to promote fiscal accountability and streamline financial operations. Serves as dotted line supervisor for College of Engineering Research Finance Analysts (RFAs) overseeing training, onboarding for RFA duties, process standardization, compliance alignment, technical issue triage, and policy interpretation.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.

3+ years direct administration of extramural funds, especially federal contracts and grants, preferably in an academic setting.

3+ years experience interfacing with a broad range of constituents, including staff, faculty and administrators.

3+ years experience producing complex financial reports and providing analytical summaries.

3+ years experience with research proposal submission, funding agency requirements, processes and regulations.

Special Conditions of Employment

Satisfactory conviction history background check

UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment.

Days/Hours: M-F; 8am - 5pm

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Application review begins 8/20/25

Apply online at https://jobs.ucsb.edu

Job #80295