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Arkansas Tech University · 3 weeks ago

Director of Grants and Sponsored Programs

Russellville, AR

Full-time

Onsite

Lead/Staff, Director/Executive

$72K/yr - $72K/yr

5+ years exp

Arkansas Tech University is a public, comprehensive university established in 1909, offering a wide range of degrees and programs. The Director of Grants and Sponsored Programs provides strategic leadership for external grants and contracts, ensuring compliance and supporting faculty in research activities while managing a team to enhance grant-writing and compliance capacity.

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Responsibilities

Develops and executes a strategic plan for sponsored programs growth, setting annual submission, award, and compliance goals aligned with the University's mission

Develops and delivers workshops, training sessions, and resources for faculty, staff, and students to enhance grant-writing and compliance capacity across the institution

Reviews external grant applications, contracts, and proposals, and coordinates moving them through the approval process

Serves as the institutional AOR (Authorized Organizational Representative) on all electronic submission systems for grants and sponsored programs

Provides comprehensive pre-award support, including funding searches, proposal development guidance, budget preparation, and institutional routing of applications

Oversees award negotiation between funding agency and institution

Oversees post-award administration to ensure external awards are managed in compliance with sponsor requirements, fiscal regulations, and institutional policies

Knowledgeable about federal and other sponsor regulations governing grant and contract administration, including Office of Management & Budget Circulars and Federal Acquisition Regulations

General knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies relating to the protection of human subjects, animal welfare, conflict of interest, and other compliance related activities

Represents institution on State Advisory Committee (Science Advisory Committee)

Maintains complete knowledge of the institution's external grants, agreements, and contracts to provide support and oversight to the positions under their supervisory jurisdiction

Acts as a liaison with research sponsors on behalf of the University. Collaborates closely with Finance, Legal Counsel, and Academic Affairs to streamline contract negotiations, award setup, and compliance oversight

Creates and fosters an environment of support for the University research community through relationship-building with deans, research faculty, and students by extending and supporting research endeavors that secure funding

Engages in a free flow of communication with the program directors as well as subordinates to disseminate information, offer ideas and solutions to needs, and ensure the timely completion of tasks

Leads continuous improvement initiatives to simplify proposal routing, reporting, and compliance monitoring processes

Participates in educational opportunities to stay abreast of relevant issues, policy changes, laws and pertinent information related to specific grants and programs

Serves on committees and attends conferences as appointed by the Dean of the Graduate College

Creates, maintains, and implements written policies and procedures to support proposal development and effective grant management

Supervises two full-time employees within the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, who are specifically assigned to grants and who approve reporting for all active external awards. Provides mentorship, coaching, and professional growth opportunities for Grants Coordinators and staff, building a collaborative and high-performing office culture

Serves as a liaison on behalf of the University's sponsored research by managing partnerships among faculty, administration, and multiple funding agencies. Interprets federal and state policy, to ensure University compliance on grant financial and research activities including compliance

Actively participates in professional development opportunities and national research administration networks (e.g., NCURA, SRAI) to remain current with regulations, policies, and best practices

Qualification

Grant administrationProposal developmentCompliance knowledgeResearch administrationBudget preparationAdobe AcrobatMicrosoft OfficeMulti-taskingProfessional developmentCommunication skillsDetail orientedRelationship buildingTeam leadership

Required

Bachelor's degree in research administration or related field, plus five years' experience in proposal development, program planning, and grant administration

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Proficient with Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Office Excel and Word

Deep knowledge of federal, state, and sponsor regulations governing grant and contract administration, including OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and Federal Acquisition Regulations

General knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies relating to the protection of human subjects, animal welfare, conflict of interest, and other compliance related activities

Familiar with generally accepted accounting principles and business mathematics

Good communication skills both verbal and written

Detail oriented

Ability to work with minimal direct supervision

Strong ability to build relationships with faculty, deans, and external partners to foster a culture of research and sponsored program growth

Preferred

Master's degree in research administration or related field

Working knowledge of Ellucian Banner, Priority Software, or comparable enterprise research administration systems

Experience submitting grant applications through grants.gov, NSF Research.gov., and NIH Assist

Professional certifications such as Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Pre-Award Administrator (CPRA), and/or Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA) are strongly preferred