Assistant Director of Operations

The Opportunity

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Office of Pre-Award Services (OPAS) seeks an experienced and collaborative Assistant Director to lead a team of pre-award professionals and oversee the delivery of high-quality research administration services. This position provides leadership from proposal development through submission, serves as a Grants and Contracts Officer (GCO), and works closely with faculty, staff, college leadership, and the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) to support the successful pursuit of external research funding.

The Assistant Director supervises and manages grant coordinator staff, oversees workflow and proposal coverage, and ensures the effective and timely delivery of pre-award support services with a strong emphasis on customer service. The position partners with the OPAS Director and CALS leadership to translate strategic priorities into effective team practices, policies, procedures, and operational efficiencies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and supervise the OPAS grant coordinator team, including managing workflow, triaging proposal coverage, onboarding and training staff, and supporting professional development.

• Oversee pre-award operations and services, identifying opportunities to improve processes, efficiencies, and customer service in partnership with the OPAS Director and CALS leadership.

• Serve as a Grants and Contracts Officer (GCO) for assigned CALS departments, providing guidance to faculty, staff, and students throughout proposal development and submission.

• Review and approve proposals and budgets for compliance with university, federal, state, and sponsor-specific requirements, exercising signature authority for designated sponsors.

• Collaborate across CALS and OSP with faculty, administrative managers, the Grant Proposal Team, and research administration colleagues to ensure timely, accurate, and effective proposal submissions.

• Serve as an alternate CALS GCO, providing backup coverage and ensuring continuity of pre-award services as needed.

This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Contract College position based in Ithaca, NY. This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, with either a 2:3 or 3:2 campus-to-home schedule. The 3:2 arrangement is available for employees who prefer an individual workspace on campus. The hybrid work arrangement will be mutually agreed upon and is subject to change at any time. Work hours are 8:00am-4:30pm Monday through Friday, with flexibility to work up to 5pm as needed to meet deadlines. Final salary will be commensurate with experience.

About the CALS Office of Pre-Award Services

The CALS Office of Pre-Award Services (OPAS) assists in the execution of over 1,300 proposals and applications annually which reflect the superior quality and robust competitiveness of Cornell University research. OPAS’ mission is to:

Provide pre-award support to principal investigators and supported departments and colleges during the proposal development process from concept to submission. Build proposal budgets in a format which communicates the costs associated with a project in a clear and uncomplicated manner which address the considerations of post-award accounting practices and policies. Understand and communicate sponsor, university, college, and department procedures and policies. Work closely with colleagues at the Cornell Office of Pre-Award Services through the pre-award process; as stewards of initial and revised pre-award budgets, documentation, and correspondence. Promote proposal award success within CALS and supported departments and colleges.

What We Need

We are seeking a team member with prior supervisory experience, signature and transaction authority, and familiarity with sponsored research. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who works independently, demonstrates sound judgment, and can effectively manage responsibilities with minimal oversight. Additionally, you will have: 

• A Bachelor’s Degree with 3 – 5 years of progressively responsible experience with sponsored research administration, including research proposals and budget preparation, proposal submission systems or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• Experience effectively supervising, managing, and leading staff and fostering a spirit of collegiality and teamwork.

• Excellent computer skills, exceptional customer service skills, strong oral and written communication skills as well as organizational skills and attention to detail. 

• Experience handling confidential materials and sensitive information with the utmost tact and discretion.  Establishing appropriate individual priorities and demonstrating initiative and self-direction to follow through on all areas of responsibility and functioning as part of the team are required. 

• Demonstrated a positive and professional attitude with a commitment to continuous growth and learning.

• The ability to function effectively under pressure, demonstrating sound judgment while ensuring critical deadlines are met, and adherence to university policies and procedures are upheld. 

• Experience working in an environment where change in process/procedures is common.  Position requires meeting critical deadlines which will occasionally necessitate evening and weekend work.

• Completed Cornell University Supervisory Development Training within one year of hire into the position. Recommendations: Turning Point and Harold Craft. 

• Compliance with all Cornell University and job-related training requirements.

If you possess these experiences and skills this may be the role for you! There are a few other qualifications we would view as incredibly helpful in this role, to include: 

• Three years of progressively complex experience in central administrative offices at department, college or university level.

• Must have experience with research proposal and budget preparation, proposal submission systems, i.e. Fastlane, Grants.gov, Commons.  

• Familiarity with scientific and legal terms is preferred.  

• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead a team.

A cover letter and resume are required for consideration for this position.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role
  remotely 3 days per week and on-campus 2 days per week or remotely 2 days per week and on-campus 3 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.

• This position is based in Ithaca, New York. Employees who work remotely may receive
  multiple W-2 Forms depending on their work location. The New York Convenience of employer guidelines require New York State individual tax reporting and withholding for this position. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working temporarily outside of New York State.

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.

• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.

• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell

• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell

• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

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