Associate Director - Sponsored Projects

Job Description

Position Summary:

• Serve as a key resource and daily operational lead for proposal submissions and sponsored research support.
• Supervise pre-award specialists and administrative staff; ensure timelines, quality, and compliance in proposal preparation.
• Aid in complex proposal review, budget development, and interpretation of agency guidelines.
• Collaborate with faculty to identify funding opportunities and guide them through proposal development and submission processes.
• Maintain and update internal systems, templates, tools, and tracking databases for sponsored programs.
• Provide quality assurance reviews of submissions for compliance with sponsor and university policies.
• Support contract and subaward preparation, including risk assessments, budget review, and routing for internal approvals.
• Lead internal training for faculty and staff on proposal development, budget preparation, and sponsor requirements.
• Liaise with Post-Award staff to ensure smooth transitions from pre-award to post-award processes.
• Cover coordination with university offices including Legal Affairs, Compliance, Human Resources, and Finance as needed.
• Stay informed on updates to federal regulations (Uniform Guidance/200), sponsor policies, and internal procedures.
• Represent the OSP at faculty meetings, workshops, and research development activities.
• Contribute to institutional reporting, performance tracking, and annual audit preparation.
• Maintain access to sensitive personnel and budgetary data with the highest level of confidentiality.
• Serve as acting Senior Associate Director when necessary and represent OSP in their absence.
• Participate in working groups or strategic initiatives focused on enhancing the university’s research infrastructure.
• Assist with external communications, outreach, and visibility efforts for sponsored projects.

About the Role

LIU Post campus is a scenic, historic, and scholarly campus that offers a small-school environment with the access and resources of a major metropolitan university. The University's 350+ acre campus is located on the estate of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 27 miles east of New York City on Long Island's Gold Coast. The campus houses the Lewyt College of Veterinary Medicine, the first professional School of Accountancy, an AACSB-accredited Business School, and an award-winning theater program. LIU is home to the world-renowned Tilles Center for the Performing Arts and the Shark Stadium, where supporters gather to cheer on the Sharks’ Division I athletic program.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in sponsored research administration, with direct pre-award responsibilities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state, and private funding agency policies and procedures (NIH, NSF, DOD, etc.).
• Experience reviewing complex proposals, preparing budgets, and submitting through systems such as Grants.gov, Research.gov, and eRA Commons.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) preferred or willingness to obtain certification within one year.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and collaborate with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in grants management systems (e.g., PeopleSoft) and Microsoft Office Suite.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred.

Skills

• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and collaborate with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in grants management systems (e.g., PeopleSoft) and Microsoft Office Suite.

Benefits

• Equal opportunity employer.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Flexible work arrangements.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Health and wellness benefits.

Pay

• Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

• Full-time position.