APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process (https://pennstateoffice365.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/KnowledgeBaseArticlesSharing/EfiwgKReZ4VAjprFZPKWUm0Bq_sU3KzTmERfpryq0esPKQ) . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. (https://pennstateoffice365.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/KnowledgeBaseArticlesSharing/Eeys15Xva4hFokHVtbP1eGIB5i1WFLc-J3k9KHgrFYZ7mg) Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants (https://hr.psu.edu/sites/hr/files/Application_Process_for_External_Applications_Non-Penn_State_Employees_.pdf) .

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Penn State’s Office of the Senior Vice President for Research seeks a demonstrated leader to serve as Director of the newly created Subaward Administration and Compliance Office (SACO). This individual will report to the Assistant Vice President for Research (Post-Award Contractual Compliance).

The SACO will partner with Penn State’s College of Engineering to design a new model of managing Penn State subawards and subcontracts. Penn State currently supports over $200M in subcontracts at any given time (This excludes subcontracts issued by the Applied Research Lab and the College of Medicine, which are outside the scope of this position.) The goals of the SACO are to support faster set-up of new subcontracts, a better tool for communicating subrecipient performance with principal investigators, higher quality documentation of subrecipient monitoring activities, more timely payment of invoices, and a more efficient closeout process. If this effort proves successful, other business areas will be given an opportunity to “opt in” to the model.

Responsibilities: The responsibilities of the position include the following:

Supervise the Subaward Administration and Compliance Office (SACO) - It is anticipated that the SACO Director will begin with two direct reports focused primarily on a single academic college. As procedures and workflow are established, the responsibilities of the SACO are expected to expand to include additional business areas at Penn State. The SACO Director will be responsible for hiring and training additional staff over the next couple of years to support this expanded scope.

Develop new subrecipient monitoring tools - The SACO Director will work with system developers and business analysts to develop a long-term strategy for supporting subrecipient monitoring at Penn State. Key partners will include the SAP grants management functional team (SIMBA) and the Office of Research Information Systems (ORIS). Working with these partners, the SACO Director will identify opportunities to enhance existing systems, to facilitate easier ways of tracking subrecipient expenditures, and to ensure timely and accurate communication with PIs, ideally via Penn State’s myResearch Portal.

Promote increased efficiency and improved workflow - The SACO Director will work with the Office of Sponsored Programs to build seamless interfaces for subaward set-up, release of final payment, and subaward closeout. They will work closely with PIs and college research offices to promote high quality monitoring and timely payment of invoices. They also will work with Research Accounting to support on time submission of Final Financial Reports by ensuring subcontracts are closed out well in advance of FFR due dates.

Demonstrate quality of service by measuring and publishing performance against KPIs - The SACO Director must demonstrate a commitment to continuous quality improvement and transparency. The scope and success of this office will depend upon its ability to attract positive attention to its new approach.

Implement recommendations from audits and other reviews - Penn State expensed $762M in federally funded research expenditures in FY23, $179M in other externally funded research expenditures, and another $298M in university-funded research. (Total research expenditures = $1.239B.) Penn State also received $105M in externally funded non-research awards in FY23. Because of the magnitude of Penn State’s portfolio, Penn State is subject to many audits and reviews. The SACO Director will participate in audits and other reviews of Penn State’s procurement and subrecipient monitoring policies, procedures, and practices. The SACO Director will work with all Penn State business units to ensure audit findings, concerns, and recommendations are appropriately addressed. This includes long-term follow-up to ensure that new practices are not implemented in the immediate aftermath of an audit and then forgotten a few years later.

Support training and development of the Penn State post-award community - The SACO Director will spearhead training efforts to ensure research administrators are aware of new, emerging, and ongoing subrecipient monitoring requirements.

The successful candidate should demonstrate an ability to do the following:

• Monitor, analyze and resolve complex accounting issues, which may involve dialogue with college research offices, PIs, financial officers, and subrecipients.

• Coordinate with PIs and college research offices on the timely payment of subrecipient invoices.

• Serve as a liaison between administrative units and sister OSVPR units and provide appropriate guidance to customers and constituents.

• Develop and provide outreach and education on subrecipient monitoring.

• Recommend and implement procedures to ensure uniform and efficient accounting practices, internal controls, and compliance with regulations and University policy.

• Prepare special reports and provide information to internal and external customers.

The SACO Director will be expected to keep current on new and emerging sponsor requirements, university policies, and state and federal regulations regarding sponsored project administration. Experience and knowledge of SIMBA (SAP/S4HANA) is preferred. Research administration and/or accounting experience is required. An ability to communicate clearly and accurately is essential.

Education and Experience: The minimum qualifications for this position are Bachelor’s Degree and ten years of relevant experience, including at least three years of supervisory experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Application Materials: Candidates should submit a cover letter expressing their interest and qualifications in the position, as well as a resume describing their education and work experience.

Work Arrangement: The OSVPR is supportive of flexible work arrangements when aligned with the ability to meet the needs of the unit and the essential duties of the position. The location of this position is flexible and can operate fully remote within the United States, fully in-person at our University Park Campus, or in a hybrid model of both in-person and remote. Standard working hours are in the eastern time zone. Individuals working fully remotely may be asked to travel to Penn State to participate in certain on campus activities. Such travel costs will be covered by Penn State.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability in all its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity in society and nature, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

Penn State offers competitive benefits to full-time employees, including medical, dental, vision, and retirement plans, in addition to tuition discounts (75% discount for spouse and children), and paid holidays. Please visit https://hr.psu.edu/current-employee/benefits for more detailed information.

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades is:

$97,100.00 - $145,700.00

Salary Structure (https://hr.psu.edu/current-employee/compensation/staff-salary-grades-and-leveling-matrix) - additional information on Penn State's job and salary structure.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here (https://police.psu.edu/annual-security-reports) .

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster (https://affirmativeaction.psu.edu/files/2022/01/Federal-Contractors-Labor-Law-Poster.pdf)

PA State Labor Law Poster

Affirmative Action (https://policy.psu.edu/policies/hr11)

Penn State Policies

Copyright Information (https://www.psu.edu/copyright-information)

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