Director of Sponsored Programs

FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY FVSU a state and land-grant institution of the University System of Georgia invites applications for the position of Director of Sponsored Programs.

Fort Valley State University, the only 1890 land-grant university in Georgia, is a comprehensive institution that provides an education to over 2800 students, including graduate students. The university is located in the town of Fort Valley in Peach County, the original site of the states peach industry. Its 1365-acre, 5.52 km2 campus is Georgias second-largest public university in area.

Fort Valley State University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or marital or veteran status.

JOB SUMMARY

This incumbent is responsible for all facets of the preparation, production, and management of grant proposals and directing the universitys compliance related to federal and non-federal grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts. The Director is responsible for increasing grants and contracts activity by providing exceptional assistance and guidance to faculty and staff regarding sponsored research activities.

The Director assists faculty and administrators with program needs and in the identification of potential funding sources, coordination of the preparation, submission, and review of selected grant proposals, and providing internal communication to the academic community regarding grant opportunities.

The Director is also responsible for working with accounting staff, departments, granting, and government agencies, and others to assure compliance with all required guidelines.

MAJOR DUTIES

Grant Administration and Compliance

• Oversee the development and submission of grant proposals, ensuring compliance with sponsor guidelines and institutional policies.
• Manage the administration of awarded grants and contracts, including budget oversight, reporting, and compliance monitoring.
• Ensure on-time submission, completeness, competitiveness, and compliance of grant applications.
• Ensure adherence to federal, state, and institutional regulations, including Uniform Guidance and sponsor-specific requirements.
• Serves as liaison for all external grant fund and financial audits, working with other business units and external auditors, writing responses to findings and corrective action plans.
• Assists in the negotiation of the indirect cost rate with federal agencies.
• Develop and update policies and procedures related to sponsored programs administration.
• Develops and implements policies and procedures to provide internal controls over award activities and expenditures, monitoring and guiding researcher activities and expenditures to ensure compliance.

Leadership and Management

• Provide strategic leadership and direction to the OSP team, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.
• Leads ORSSP in providing superior customer service to internal and external stakeholders, understanding and mentoring the staff in effectively meeting both compliance and customer service requirements of ORSSP.
• Supervises ORSSP staff, developing internal controls for active awards, proposals, and researchers.
• Leads contract development and negotiation for proposed grants and contract partnerships.
• Develops and implements strategic plans to increase unit efficiency and effectiveness.
• Directs the production of the ORSSP newsletter and the Standard Operating Procedures Manual.
• Diversifies the research-funding portfolio, matching funding opportunities with faculty research programs.
• Facilitates the development of the universitys out-of-state funding economic impact, advising on ways to develop the research enterprise, develops and reports research revenue and expenditure statistics.
• Assists in the negotiation of the indirect cost rate with federal agencies.
• Coordinates the work of conflict resolution committee, consulting with researchers to correct activities deemed noncompliant, providing auditors with proof of corrective actions.
• Monitors research and programs requiring review by the Institutional Review Board, Human Subjects, and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.

Training and Development

• Oversee training sessions for faculty and staff on grant writing, proposal development, and award management.

• Supervises the delivery of specialized technical assistance workshops to faculty and staff.

• Reporting and Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with faculty, department heads, and external sponsors to identify funding opportunities and support research initiatives.

• Provides administrators with interpretations of federal and non-federal grant-related laws, regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance, reduce fraud, and mitigate risk.

• Prepare and present reports on sponsored programs activities and outcomes to senior leadership and auditors.

• Diversifies the research-funding portfolio, matching funding opportunities with faculty research programs.

• Facilitates the development of the universitys out-of-state funding economic impact, advising on ways to develop the research enterprise, develops and reports research revenue and expenditure statistics.

• Monitors research and programs requiring review by the Institutional Review Board, Human Subjects, and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.

Policy Development

• Manages ORSSP budget, analyzes research impact data, and writes reports.
• Develops the strategic research fundraising plan, ensuring the effective use of information management software.
• Researches and identifies technology transfer, research commercialization, and new revenue opportunities.

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION

• Knowledge of pre and post grant award policy and process.
• Knowledge of local, federal, and state reporting requirements.
• Knowledge of federal submission and management experience in FERPA in higher education.
• Knowledge of federal and non-federal grant requirements.
• Knowledge of professional research administration principles.
• Knowledge of funding sources and grant opportunities.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

• The Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs assigns work regarding department goals and objectives.
• The work is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of department activities.

GUIDELINES

• Guidelines include Office of Management and Budget Uniform Guidance for all federal agencies.
• State of Georgia business practices manuals.
• Title III policies and procedures.
• University and Board of Regents policies and procedures.
• These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application.
• This position develops department guidelines.

COMPLEXITYSCOPE OF WORK

• The work consists of varied duties in directing the universitys registrar functions.
• The necessity of responding to the day-to-day or immediate needs of students contributes to the complexity of the position.
• Success in this position contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of department operations.

CONTACTS

• Contacts are typically with faculty, researchers, university administration, state, and government agencies, USG, and members of the public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table.
• The work is typically performed in an office.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Masters degree in any field required.
• At least three years of relevant federal and non-federal grant experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policy/section8C224p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.