Associate Director, Sponsored Programs & Awards

Georgia State University; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 103,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Tuition assistance

Professional development opportunities

Mentorship

Job summary

Georgia State University’s College of Arts & Sciences, located on the Atlanta Campus, seeks an Associate Director for Sponsored Programs & Awards to lead pre-award administration and mentor staff. The role emphasizes independent decision-making, policy development, and coordination with faculty and sponsors.

The position reports to Faculty Development within the College of Arts & Sciences and offers a competitive salary ranging from $95,000 to $103,200 with full benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and four years of supervisory/management experience required.
• Master's degree preferred in Business Administration, Public Administration, Research Administration, or related field.
• Significant experience in sponsored programs administration or research administration, particularly in pre-award activities.
• Strong knowledge of federal regulations, including Uniform Guidance and agency-specific requirements (NIH, NSF, DoD, etc.).
• Experience managing complex proposal submissions and supervising staff.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, communication, and leadership skills.
• Proficiency with electronic research administration systems and proposal submission platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the institution's pre-award research administration functions and processes.
• Supervise and mentor pre-award staff, including training, performance management, and professional development.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, and best practices to improve proposal development and submission processes.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on federal, state, foundation, and industry-sponsored research programs.
• Oversee the preparation, review, and submission of grant and contract proposals and, if awarded, reports to external sponsors.
• Ensure proposals and reports comply with sponsor guidelines, institutional policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate proposal and report timelines and submission strategies with faculty, principal investigators (PIs), and departmental administrators.
• Review budgets, budget justifications, scope of work, and other proposal documents for accuracy and compliance.
• Provide guidance on funding opportunities, eligibility requirements, and sponsor regulations.
• Facilitate any other required communication with external sponsors.
• Ensure adherence to applicable regulations, including Uniform Guidance, sponsor-specific requirements, and institutional policies.
• Review and approve proposal submissions for compliance with financial, administrative, and legal standards.
• Collaborate with compliance offices regarding human subjects, animal care, biosafety, conflict of interest, export control, and other regulatory matters.
• Maintain accurate records, reporting metrics, and proposal tracking data to support institutional reporting and strategic planning initiatives.
• Advise faculty and research staff on proposal budgeting, cost principles, allowable expenses, and cost-sharing requirements.
• Review complex budgets for multi-investigator, multi-institutional, and interdisciplinary projects.
• Assist with financial risk assessment and resource allocation during proposal development.
• Monitor proposal metrics and reporting related to submission activity and funding trends.
• Build strong collaborative relationships with faculty, department leadership, finance teams, and external sponsors.
• Provide high-level customer service and problem resolution related to proposal preparation and submission issues.
• Serve as liaison between investigators and sponsoring agencies regarding proposal requirements and submission processes.
• Facilitate communication among internal and external stakeholders to ensure timely and successful submissions.
• Develop and deliver training programs, workshops, and guidance materials for faculty and research administrators.
• Educate staff and investigators on sponsor regulations, proposal preparation, and institutional procedures.
• Assist in the preparation, review, and submission of periodic and final reports and any other official communication to external sponsors.
• Identify opportunities to streamline pre-award operations and enhance service delivery.
• Analyze trends in sponsored research activity and recommend strategic improvements.
• Support institutional research growth initiatives and funding strategies.
• Participate in system implementations, upgrades, and process automation efforts.
• Perform other related duties and special projects assigned.

Skills

Staff supervision

Proposal budgeting

Regulatory knowledge

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Electronic research administration systems

Proposal submission platforms

Job description

Associate Director, Sponsored Programs & Awards

College of Arts & Sciences

Faculty Development

The College of Arts & Sciences at Georgia State University is transforming lives through our research advances, career-empowering teaching, and work with community partners in Atlanta and around the globe. As the largest college on the Atlanta Campus, the College of Arts and Sciences is home to more than 15,000 students, 550 faculty, and 300 staff members. Our faculty teach the core curriculum courses that serve as the foundation of nearly every student's university education.

These are exciting times at the College of Arts & Sciences at Georgia State University. We are growing, and we are thrilled that you are interested in being a part of our team. We are surrounded by individuals empowered to use their expertise and talents to achieve our mission to pursue excellence.

The College of Arts & Sciences is seeking to hire an experienced Associate Director, Sponsored Programs & Awards.

What makes College of Arts & Science a great place?

• Generous benefits, including health, dental, vision, tuition assistance, retirement, etc.
• A knowledge-sharing organization that works collaboratively with diverse partners
• Professional development opportunities and mentorship
• A rapidly growing center within an academic setting

Here is what you will do:

The ideal candidate for this position will be making independent decisions with a high degree of autonomy, including authority to make critical determinations related to pre-award administration.

Additionally, the position is responsible for the direct supervision of staff, further aligning it with the expectations of an Associate Director-level role.

The essential duties and responsibilities of the Associate Director, Sponsored Programs & Awards are the following:

• Lead and manage the institution's pre-award research administration functions and processes.
• Supervise and mentor pre-award staff, including training, performance management, and professional development.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, and best practices to improve proposal development and submission processes.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on federal, state, foundation, and industry-sponsored research programs.
• Oversee the preparation, review, and submission of grant and contract proposals and, if awarded, reports to external sponsors.
• Ensure proposals and reports comply with sponsor guidelines, institutional policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate proposal and report timelines and submission strategies with faculty, principal investigators (PIs), and departmental administrators.
• Review budgets, budget justifications, scope of work, and other proposal documents for accuracy and compliance.
• Provide guidance on funding opportunities, eligibility requirements, and sponsor regulations.
• Facilitate any other required communication with external sponsors.
• Ensure adherence to applicable regulations, including Uniform Guidance, sponsor-specific requirements, and institutional policies.
• Review and approve proposal submissions for compliance with financial, administrative, and legal standards.
• Collaborate with compliance offices regarding human subjects, animal care, biosafety, conflict of interest, export control, and other regulatory matters.
• Maintain accurate records, reporting metrics, and proposal tracking data to support institutional reporting and strategic planning initiatives.
• Advise faculty and research staff on proposal budgeting, cost principles, allowable expenses, and cost-sharing requirements.
• Review complex budgets for multi-investigator, multi-institutional, and interdisciplinary projects.
• Assist with financial risk assessment and resource allocation during proposal development.
• Monitor proposal metrics and reporting related to submission activity and funding trends.
• Build strong collaborative relationships with faculty, department leadership, finance teams, and external sponsors.
• Provide high-level customer service and problem resolution related to proposal preparation and submission issues.
• Serve as liaison between investigators and sponsoring agencies regarding proposal requirements and submission processes.
• Facilitate communication among internal and external stakeholders to ensure timely and successful submissions.
• Develop and deliver training programs, workshops, and guidance materials for faculty and research administrators.
• Educate staff and investigators on sponsor regulations, proposal preparation, and institutional procedures.
• Assist in the preparation, review, and submission of periodic and final reports and any other official communication to external sponsors.
• Identify opportunities to streamline pre-award operations and enhance service delivery.
• Analyze trends in sponsored research activity and recommend strategic improvements.
• Support institutional research growth initiatives and funding strategies.
• Participate in system implementations, upgrades, and process automation efforts.
• Perform other related duties and special projects assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree and four years of supervisory/management experience, or a combination of education and related experience.

Preferred Hiring Requirements:

• Master's degree preferred in Business Administration, Public Administration, Research Administration, or related field.
• Significant experience in sponsored programs administration or research administration, particularly in pre-award activities.
• Strong knowledge of federal regulations, including Uniform Guidance and agency-specific requirements (NIH, NSF, DoD, etc.).
• Experience managing complex proposal submissions and supervising staff.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, communication, and leadership skills.
• Proficiency with electronic research administration systems and proposal submission platforms.

The salary offered for this position will be commensurate with the candidate's education, experience, and qualifications.

College/Business Unit: College of Arts & Sciences

Department: Faculty Development

Location: Atlanta Campus

Shift: 8:30 AM - 5:15 PM

Salary: $95,000 - $103,200

Pay Grade: 23

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Type: Full Time (Benefits Eligible)

Georgia State University Values COMMUNITY: Fostering a distinctive shared identity and common purpose across our multi-campus university, IDENTITY, PLACEMAKING & BELONGING: Respecting the dignity and value of all people and perspectives through honorable conduct based on engagement, fairness, access, and civility, TRANSFORMATION: Intentionally pursuing knowledge, practice, and scholarly rigor to inspire lifelong learning, and to make our community and the world a better place INTEGRITY: Adhering to our values, mission, and the truth through respectful cooperation and effective stewardship of resources, EXCELLENCE: Achieving the highest standards and distinction in teaching, research, and service, STRATEGIC INNOVATION: Embracing invention and creativity in the pursuit of meaningful discovery using our collective talents USG Core Value Statement The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well 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 on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Equal Employment Opportunity Georgia State University is an equal opportunity employer with regard to veterans and individuals with disabilities and prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability,, genetic information, or protected veteran status.

Background Check Successful candidate must be able to pass a comprehensive criminal background investigation and other background searches as applicable to the job such as credit check and Motor Vehicle Record.

Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime: Georgia State University is committed to its students' and employees' safety and security. It complies with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) to provide information on certain crimes on campus. This position may be designated as a Campus Security Authority, ensuring that reported crimes are routed to the appropriate University office.

Georgia State University prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual's age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex or veteran status.