Job Description

Who We Are:

The Social Work Office of Research and Public Service (SWORPS) is an applied research center of the University of Tennessee College of Social Work (CSW). We are a dynamic and close-knit interdisciplinary team of individuals with a shared vision of thriving communities with equitable outcomes for all. We do that by building partnerships that leverage research, technology, and human connection to improve lives in Tennessee and beyond.

Over the past fifty years, SWORPS has worked with local nonprofits such as the United Way of Greater Knoxville, University of Tennessee departments and faculty researchers, state agencies such as the Tennessee Department of Human Services, and federal agencies like the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Our annual portfolio consists of 25-40 sponsored projects spanning a wealth of different content areas, but one common thread -each project contributes one more building block for thriving communities with equitable outcomes for all.

Learn more about SWORPS and some of our programs and resources by visiting our webpage: https://www.sworps.tennessee.edu/

Reporting to the College of Social Work Assistant Dean of Finance and Administration, this position provides leadership for all of SWORPS administration functions including budgeting and financial planning, facilities and operations, information technology, data management, and strategic planning. The position supervises SWORPS fiscal/operations unit staff and has the following primary duties and responsibilities:

SWORPS Leadership and Oversight:

• Supervise and develop the SWORPS Business Office staff. Hires staff, assign tasks, set goals, monitor and/or approve assignment of work functions, continuity planning, and complete annual performance reviews. This includes analyzing the work structure (including hybrid/in-person/remote work agreements) and assigning tasks to appropriate individuals to ensure effective administration of daily activities and processes.

• Subject matter expert for the college ensuring that critical information, assistance and advice to SWORPS administration, researchers and staff with proposal submission and award administration are being provided based on the current UT policy and policies set by funding sources, including federal Uniform Guidance.

• Establish SWORPS policies, procedures and best practices for review, submission and processing of research proposals and proposal budgets. Ensure that best practices are supportive of CSW/SWORPS goals, and are consistent with policies and guidelines for UT and funding sources.

• Serve as a point of contact for SWORPS research related matters with ORIED, DRA, UT colleges and other constituencies, as well as with research pre-award specialists at other institutions.

•Design and lead distribution for all annual reports, newsletters and other marketing and data visualizations for the unit.

• Lead financial aspects of external and internal audits

• Evaluates and implements operational efficiencies across areas and leverages solutions around system management and technology and provides campus recommendations of system-wide implementations that would provide value and, improve efficiency and transparency.





Strategic Research Planning and Financial Management

• Maintain research strategic metrics

• Develop comprehensive financial models and dashboards for monitoring and reporting on grant-related expenditures.

• Work closely with senior leadership to ensure financial strategies are aligned with organizational objectives.

• Produce precise financial statements and manage the financial reporting process.

• Manages annual research funds provided by the college, directing financial staff on the distribution of funds to the departments.

• Implement robust internal controls to protect financial assets and mitigate risks.

• Primary department approver in University’s ERP system



Research Support for Large and/or Complex Proposals



• Work with SWORPS investigator and administration, ORIED and DRA on budgets and cost share requests for large and/or complex proposals.

• Resolve complex problems related to negotiations with funding sources and proposal submissions, including sub-awards, partnerships with 2-year colleges, non-profits, industry and foreign funding agencies, as well as voluntary cost share requests.

• Provide higher levels of SWORPS support for investigators working on large center or institute-scale proposals.

• Help resolve problems related to transition from pre-award budgets to post-award accounts and expenditure plans.



Required Qualifications:

-Bachelor’s Degree

-3 years of experience related to sponsored research, with extensive experience with state and federal funding agencies, including experience interpreting and applying federal regulations relative to sponsored research

-At least one year of supervisory experience

Preferred Qualifications:

-Master's degree

-5 years of experience related to sponsored research, preferably within a university environment or in a corporate setting with extensive experience with state and federal funding agencies, including experience interpreting and applying federal regulations relative to sponsored research

-3 or more years of supervisory experience and experience developing team approaches to providing service to stakeholders

Application Process

Interested individuals should provide (1) a cover letter addressing professional experience relevant to each required and preferred qualification, (2) a resume, and (3) complete contact information for 3 professional references.

Screening of applicants will begin immediately and will continue until the position has been filled.