Director of Grants and Sponsored Programs

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs is a visionary leader for the College in securing and managing a robust portfolio of competitive research and governmental and private-funded grants. This position is responsible for oversight and continued expansion of institutional research priorities funded by government grants, including but not limited to identifying and outlining strategic objectives for research, pre- and post-award administrative functions, compliance, and faculty grant proposal development and training initiatives. This position also oversees the review, approval and monitoring of grant proposals, monitors and provides consultation on the reporting of grant activity, develops and delivers research and grant related training for faculty and staff, coordinates the development and filing of all compliance documents, serves as the key liaison to campus, local, state and federal agency representatives as it relates to all funding agency regulations, requirements and guidelines; and performs other related duties as assigned. This position reports to the Vice President of Finance and Administration and is responsible for the efficient operation of the pre-award services including establishing operating procedures for the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP).

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Secures and manages a robust portfolio of competitive research and governmental and private-funded grants.
• Identifies government and foundation funding opportunities for continued expansion of institutional research priorities funded by government grants.
• Identifies and outlines strategic objectives for research, pre- and post-award administrative functions, compliance, and faculty grant proposal development and training initiatives.
• Oversees the review, approval and monitoring of grant proposals, monitors and provides consultation on the reporting of grant activity, develops and delivers research and grant related training for faculty and staff, and coordinates the development and filing of all compliance documents.
• Serves as the key liaison to campus, local, state and federal agency representatives as it relates to all funding agency regulations, requirements and guidelines.
• Leads, supports and assists faculty and staff through all phases of project and proposal submission, ensuring quality, consistency, and accuracy in data entry.
• Manages grant compliance support to grant-funded projects.
• Monitors progress of grant implementation and provides technical and programmatic assistance as necessary to support the successful administration of funds and timely submission of required reports.
• Oversees the overall operation of the pre-award services including establishing operating procedures for the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP).
• Serves as a liaison to funding agencies, institution administrators, community partners, and post-award staff.
• Attends training as required to maintain job knowledge and skills.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• Master’s degree in business administration, computer science, mathematics or closely related field.
• Five (5) years of experience in the field of research and securing grants, preferably in a higher education environment, or other public or research-based organizations.
• Preference may be given to applicants who have demonstrated management experience in grants, contracts, and sponsored program administration in a research-oriented higher education institution.
• CRS (Certified Research Administrator) certification a plus.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, utilizing Outlook, Word, Excel and Microsoft Teams, and/or related grant management software and systems such as FASTLANE and Grant.Gov.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of higher education issues on the local, state, and national levels, with a keen understanding of research and policy-related issues in higher education.
• Knowledge of associated regulatory and compliance requirements and guidelines at all levels governing the ethical conduct of research and sponsored programs.
• Ability to work independently with little direction.
• Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work.
• Ability to meet schedules and timelines.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to develop and maintain programmatic and financial records and reports.
• Strong attention to detail and follow-up skills; strong customer service skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing to subordinates and management.
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds including students, faculty, and staff; strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with various internal and external stakeholders in a higher education setting.
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Requires sedentary work that involves walking, standing, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a recurring basis or routine keyboard operations.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work environment risks exposure to no known environmental hazards.

EOE M/F/D/V