Director of Sponsored Programs

Reports to the Chief of Staff and has primary responsibility for managing and administering pre-award and post-award services of grants and contracts.

About the role

Additional responsibilities include preparation, coordination, and submission of proposals for external funding; assisting faculty in locating opportunities for external support; and fostering an environment at the college that facilitates and encourages research and scholarly pursuits. The Director serves as an expert for interpreting, explaining, and applying governmental regulations and extramural sponsor policies. The Director is responsible for developing and implementing campus policy and procedures for the campus research community, providing leadership and support for the administration of grants and contracts, and ensuring compliance with sponsor requirements and applicable policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

Pre-Award

• Direct and manage proposal development activities of the Office of Sponsored Programs
• Develop, recommend, administer, and communicate policies and procedures related to research and sponsored programs
• Coordinate workshops, presentations, and consultative services related to Sponsored Programs
• Work with the Office of Business and Finance to ensure that all sponsored grant activities are reconciled on a timely basis

Post-Award

• Negotiate terms and conditions of sponsored agreements
• Ensure that all expended external funds are in compliance with university policies and sponsoring agency guidelines (requests must be allowable, allocable, and reasonable)
• Prepare award closeouts as needed
• Collect, submit, and maintain technical, financial, and other required reports as needed
• Oversee dissemination of information on awarded sponsored programs

Requirements

• Working knowledge of regulations, laws, and sponsor policies related to sponsored projects administration
• Working knowledge of Federal agency policies
• Knowledge and familiarity with the grant development process
• Professional level of verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work effectively with a variety of constituencies, interpret and explain policies, procedures, regulations, statutes, and their underlying principles

Qualifications

Master’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and two years of sponsored programs management and/or research administration experience at a college or university; or a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and five years of sponsored programs management and/or research administration experience at a college or university.

• Experience in the audit process
• Proven track record of success working collaboratively with faculty, researchers, and administrators from all sectors of campus and with representatives of external organizations including Federal and non-Federal agencies
• Ability to interpret Federal regulations and guidelines

Ph.D. education level would be an advantage.

About the organization

Founded in 1856, Wilberforce University is America’s first private, coeducational University established to educate men and women of African descent and is closely affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Today, Wilberforce is a well-respected private, residential liberal arts university with a clear mission, core values, and vision for the future, and is a noted pioneer in the Co-Operative Education Movement. Wilberforce awards the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in the areas of business, engineering and computing science, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences; as well as the Master of Rehabilitation Counseling degree. The University is located in Wilberforce, Ohio, a community readily accessible to the Dayton, Cincinnati, and Columbus metropolitan centers’ social, professional, and cultural amenities and airports.