Director of Sponsored Programs

Director of Sponsored Programs
External posting
Full-Time, Exempt , Administrative/Professional

JOB SUMMARY: The Director of Sponsored Programs reports directly to the Provost and plays a pivotal role in advancing the university’s mission by developing and managing external grant and contract funding that supports research, service, instruction, and other university goals and objectives. The Director oversees the daily operations of the Office of Sponsored Programs and ensures that all grant proposals and awards align with federal, state, university, and sponsor guidelines. Regular reporting and advocacy for research and instructional initiatives are also part of this role.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinates and facilitates the university’s efforts in obtaining external funding for research, seeking funding opportunities for faculty, and ensuring that all proposals and awards conform to federal, state, university, and sponsor guidelines. Serve as the liaison between funding agencies and the university.
• Communication and Outreach - Disseminate information to faculty and staff through newsletters, email, and direct contact. Utilize web-based funding databases to identify relevant funding opportunities and build effective relationships with federal, state, and private funding sources.
• Faculty Support - Provide assistance to faculty in preparing proposals for internal funding competitions and collaborate with the SVSU Foundation Office to explore grant funding opportunities. Facilitate interdisciplinary grant applications and leverage expertise in grantsmanship and sponsored activities at the university level. Serve as liaison between faculty and staff seeking to obtain external and internal funding for their projects.
• Budget Management - Assist faculty and staff with grant and proposal budget preparation, ensuring compliance with sponsor guidelines. Review all grant submissions for adherence to sponsor, university, federal, and state regulations. Supervise proposal transmission, including electronic submissions.
• Guidance and Compliance - Offer guidance on university policies and procedures in higher education. Educate faculty and staff on sponsor guidelines, rules, and regulations. Manage budgets for various projects and provide support throughout the grant lifecycle, including close-out activities and reporting. Stay updated on federal research grant regulations, research ethics (human subjects, animal care, and biosafety), and tech transfer matters.
• Team Leadership - Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate the Sponsored Programs staff. Conduct workshops on grantsmanship, make presentations in academic courses, and attend professional meetings to share knowledge with faculty and staff.
• Prepares and disseminates (monthly, quarterly, annual) reports of the University Sponsored Programs Office.
• Assists the Provost in providing advocacy for the research and instructional component of the university’s mission.
• Maintain knowledge of federal guidelines and regulations governing federal research grants including OMB circulars (A-21, A-110, A-133).
• Maintain knowledge of current regulations governing research using human subjects, animal care and compliance, and responsible conduct of research and biosafety. Provide administrative support for IRB and IACUC
• Maintain knowledge of tech transfer pertaining to licensing, patents, copyrights, and contracts.
• Manage the University’s licenses and patents.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Supervision is received from the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Supervision is exercised over the staff in the Office of Sponsored Programs

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s or Ph.D. from a regional accredited university.
• Experience in grant management and grant writing in Institutions of Higher Education (IHE).
• Ability to work under multiple deadlines effectively.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and management skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of grant/contract policies and procedures used in an IHE environment.
• Experience and ability to positively interact with a diverse campus community.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodations.

PREFERED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Certified Research Administrator

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Duties are generally performed inside and not exposed to adverse conditions.

The above reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the essential functions of the job. It shall not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements that may be inherent in the job. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.

About SVSU:
Saginaw Valley State University is a comprehensive university with more than 100 programs of study for its more than 7,000 students. Located on a suburban campus in Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region, SVSU is committed to a supportive and empowering environment for students, faculty and staff. For seven consecutive years, SVSU has been recognized as a “Great College to Work For” (2016-2022).

SVSU emphasizes undergraduate teaching and learning, and community-based research. SVSU earned the Community Engagement classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a distinction achieved by only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities. By their senior year, 84 percent of students have engaged with community employers and agencies in internships, field placements or some other component of their academic preparation.

SVSU is establishing itself as a leader in STEAM education for the Great Lakes Bay Region, partnering with businesses, foundations and school districts to improve students’ performance in math, science and the arts at the middle school, high school and university levels.

More than 70 percent of SVSU freshmen live on campus in student housing that has been rated No. 1 among public universities in the U.S. (2018-2022). SVSU fields 19 varsity sports at the NCAA Division II level. The average class size is 23 students.