Director of Sponsored Program

Principal Duties And Responsibilities

• Upholds the Heritage University Mission Statement.
• Represents Heritage University, as assigned by the Vice President for Academic Affairs, in the most positive manner with prospective, former, and current students, clients, suppliers, and the community.
• Interacts effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students, and other stakeholders.
• Adapts to and uses the operational practices of Heritage University.
• Pre-Award Administration:
• Serve as the primary campus resource for faculty and staff pursuing external funding.
• Identify grants and funding opportunities aligned with Heritage University’s mission of empowering diverse and historically underserved student populations, including Native American and Hispanic communities.
• Provide hands-on support to project directors, faculty, and staff in developing strong proposals, including:
• Drafting and reviewing narratives
• Preparing budgets
• Acquiring letters of support
• Confirming compliance with sponsor and institutional requirements.
• Submit proposals as the University’s Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR).
• Maintain proposal templates, institutional data, and standardized language reflecting Heritage University’s mission and Yakama Nation land acknowledgment.
• Post-Award Administration:
• Collaborate with Finance to prepare and submit accurate financial reports.
• Support faculty in managing project timelines, deliverables, reporting, and sub-recipient monitoring.
• Monitor expenditures and budgets to ensure allowability, allocability, and compliance with federal Uniform Guidance.
• Compliance & Risk Management:
• Interpret and ensure compliance with federal regulations, state laws, sponsor rules, and Heritage University policies.
• Develop and maintain sponsored programs policies and procedures tailored to Heritage University’s size, structure, and community-driven mission.
• Prepare for internal and external audits and manage corrective actions.
• Facilitate grant-related compliance training for faculty and staff (e.g., financial stewardship, conflict of interest, research integrity).
• Institutional Coordination & Communication:
• Build collaborative relationships with Finance and Administration, Human Resources, Institutional Research, and the Office of the President.
• Provide outreach, workshops, and individual coaching to increase grant readiness among Heritage University faculty and staff.
• Promote funding opportunities that strengthen community partnerships, support Yakama Nation initiatives, and improve social mobility.
• Represent Heritage University’s Toppenish and Tri-Cities locations to sponsors, consortia, regional partners, and other university constituents.
• Reporting & Data Management:
• Maintain accurate database of proposals, awards, compliance requirements, and as deadlines.
• Prepare periodic reports for institutional leadership highlighting trends, successes, and capacity-building needs.
• Support institutional accreditation and strategic planning efforts by providing sponsored programs data aligned with Heritage University mission-centered metrics.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, master's degree preferred.
• 3–7 years of experience in grants or sponsored programs administration.
• Knowledge of federal agency requirements and Uniform Guidance.
• Strong skills in budget development, compliance interpretation, and grants management.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with cultural awareness suited to Heritage University’s diverse and predominantly first-generation student population.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a minority-serving institution, tribal college/university, or community-serving educational environment.
• Familiarity with federal, state, tribal, and foundation funding sources aligned with Heritage University’s mission and regional priorities.
• Grant Professional Certification (GPC) or Certified Research Administrator (CRA).
• Experience writing or managing grants that support access, equity, and community engagement.

Benefit Package

• Health Benefits - medical, dental, and vision
• No-cost life insurance
• Paid Time Off 21
• Paid Holidays
• Matching 403(b) Contribution after a year of service
• Tuition Waiver Program
• Additional plans are available for purchase

Application Information And Deadline

• Applications-Required information please include the following:
• Cover letter (please address all position qualifications – required and preferred)
• Resume
• List of References (names, email addresses & phone numbers of 3-5 current professional references)
• HU Employment Application | Link: HU Application
• Review of completed applications, with the listed above, will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.