Amanda Ross
Summary
Accomplished in transforming research administration processes at Case Western Reserve University, I pioneered scalable frameworks and optimized proposal workflows, managing portfolios over $50 million. My strategic leadership fostered a collaborative culture, significantly enhancing efficiency and compliance. Skilled in financial management and mentorship, I excel in driving operational excellence and developing high-performing teams.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Director, CSE Research Support, Assistant Dean for Research Administration
Office of Research Case Western Reserve University
01.2024 - Current
- Pioneered a shared position between ORTM and the Case School of Engineering to standardize research administration processes and provide a scalable roadmap for other schools
- Developed institutional frameworks to streamline proposal submission workflows, increase compliance, and optimize operational efficiency
- Managed research portfolios exceeding $50 million annually, supporting complex funding from federal, industrial, and nonprofit sponsors
- Partnered with faculty, staff, and leadership to foster a customer-focused culture and align administrative processes with academic goals
- Mentored research administrators, enhancing their ability to manage interdisciplinary projects while ensuring compliance and efficiency
- Office of Research and Technology Management & Case School of Engineering
Senior Associate, Research Services
Huron Consulting Group
Chicago, USA
05.2022 - 12.2023
- Company Overview: Higher Education Consulting
- Provided consulting services in pre- and post-award research administration for institutions, including state-funded HBCUs and NCI-designated centers
- Created tools to enhance operations, including compliance trackers, submission templates, and cloud-based management systems
- Designed and delivered two multi-day training sessions for newly installed research administrators, covering compliance and lifecycle management
- Supported institutions in developing F&A rate proposals, contributing to presentations to Cognizant Agencies
- Implemented new systems for tracking proposal and award activities, improving efficiency and transparency
- Higher Education Consulting
Assistant Dean, Research Administration & Grant Development
Case Western Reserve University
11.2020 - 04.2022
- Company Overview: College of Arts and Sciences
- Designed a faculty-centric support framework that increased research funding and faculty satisfaction
- Led initiatives like the Expanding Horizons Initiative, securing internal funding for innovative research and creative endeavors
- Streamlined internal operations across nine departments, fostering a collaborative research culture
- Delivered professional development training to research administrators, promoting continuous improvement and higher success rates
- Collaborated with university leadership to enhance sponsored programs workflows and address administrative challenges
- College of Arts and Sciences
Deputy Associate Director for Administration
Case Western Reserve University
03.2020 - 11.2020
- Company Overview: Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Directed CCSG staff and managed over $20M annually in pre- and post-award grant activities
- Supported faculty with strategic guidance on grant submissions, compliance, and budgeting
- Implemented efficient financial and technical reporting processes, ensuring timely compliance with sponsor requirements
- Delivered faculty and staff training on best practices for grant writing and lifecycle management
- Coordinated shared resources, facilities, and research support to improve collaboration and efficiency
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
Director, Research Administration & Grant Development
Case Western Reserve University
02.2017 - 03.2020
- Company Overview: College of Arts and Sciences
- Transformed a transaction-focused office into a responsive, collaborative sponsored programs team
- Streamlined administration processes to support faculty from funding identification to award management
- Developed mentorship programs and educational offerings to cultivate an entrepreneurial research environment
- Partnered with institutional colleagues to create innovative solutions to administrative challenges
- Conducted strategic analyses and generated reports to inform leadership on sponsored projects funding
- College of Arts and Sciences
Director, Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN) Shared Resource
Case Western Reserve University
05.2011 - 02.2017
- Company Overview: School of Medicine
- Expanded key Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative (CTSC) and Case Comprehensive Cancer Center resources to provide robust research support services
- Managed multi-state research networks and facilitated collaborations with clinician researchers
- Directed daily operations of the PBRN, including budgeting, stakeholder training, and staff management
- Implemented a web-based educational program for research fellows, graduating over 65 fellows across the U.S
- And Canada
- Secured funding for statewide research programming through successful grant writing and budgeting efforts
- School of Medicine
Grants Administrator
MetroHealth System
Cleveland, USA
11.2005 - 05.2011
- Company Overview: Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative (CTSC) Clinical Research Unit
- Managed pre- and post-award grant processes, including proposal development, budget preparation, submission, and award management for multiple departments
- Partnered with investigators to develop and submit competitive proposals aligned with sponsor and institutional guidelines
- Oversaw financial reporting, reconciliations, and subaward management, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and sponsor regulations
- Delivered training on compliance and reporting, improving adherence to grant guidelines and timelines
- Streamlined workflows, enhancing the efficiency of grant administration processes and reducing processing times
- Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative (CTSC) Clinical Research Unit
Education
Master of Nonprofit Organizations -
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OHBachelor of Arts - History
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OHSkills
- Research Administration (Pre- and Post-Award)
- Strategic Leadership and Mentorship
- Financial and Budget Management
- Compliance and Regulatory Oversight
- Workflow Optimization and Process Improvement
- Professional Development and Training
Affiliations
- Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI)
- National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA)
- Council on Governmental Relations (COGR)
Presentations
- SRA International NC Chapter Meeting, 07/24/23, Departmental Research Administrators – Crucial Resources for Supporting PIs
- SRA International Annual Meeting, 10/14/23, Navigating Foreign Influence: How Department Research Administrators Can Ensure Compliance and Transparency in Federally Funded Research
Timeline
Executive Director, CSE Research Support, Assistant Dean for Research Administration
Office of Research Case Western Reserve University
01.2024 - Current
Senior Associate, Research Services
Huron Consulting Group
05.2022 - 12.2023
Assistant Dean, Research Administration & Grant Development
Case Western Reserve University
11.2020 - 04.2022
Deputy Associate Director for Administration
Case Western Reserve University
03.2020 - 11.2020
Director, Research Administration & Grant Development
Case Western Reserve University
02.2017 - 03.2020
Director, Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN) Shared Resource
Case Western Reserve University
05.2011 - 02.2017
Grants Administrator
MetroHealth System
11.2005 - 05.2011
Master of Nonprofit Organizations -
Case Western Reserve University
Bachelor of Arts - History
Bowling Green State University