Award Acceptance Manager

Portland State University; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 65,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible scheduling

Limited remote work

Job summary

Portland State University, Oregon’s public research university, seeks an Award Acceptance Manager to lead SPA’s award acceptance function. You will review, negotiate, and document sponsored awards and agreements, and ensure compliance with sponsor requirements and university policies.

Reporting to SPA leadership, you will supervise Grants & Agreements Specialists, develop staff, and drive process improvements while acting as AOR for sponsored projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and three or more years of related experience.
• Master’s Degree may substitute for a portion of experience requirements.
• Experience reviewing, interpreting, and negotiating sponsored awards and research agreements.
• Experience interpreting and applying federal and state laws and regulations, including financial management of sponsored awards.
• Experience drafting and issuing subaward agreements.
• Working knowledge of federal regulations governing research (OMB Uniform Guidance, FAR, sponsor policies).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee timely review, negotiation, acceptance, and documentation of sponsored awards.
• Supervise Grants & Agreements Specialists and subaward drafting.
• Lead staff development and process improvements in SPA.
• Serve as Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) for sponsored projects.
• Collaborate with campus partners to strengthen research administration services.

Skills

Communication skills

Quick learner

Customer service

Project status tracking

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree may substitute

Tools

Google apps

Microsoft Office

Excel

Financial information systems

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Please list the names, telephone numbers and email addresses for three professional references. References will be contacted only if you are selected as a finalist for this position.

Position Announcement

Proposed Start Date

Proposed Start Date 09/01/2026

Classification Title

Classification Title Legal and Compliance

Rank

Rank N - No Rank

Working Title

Working Title Award Acceptance Manager

Department

Department 400401 - SPA Sponsored Projects Office

Position Number

Position Number D93038

Representation

Representation UU - Unclassified Unrepresented

Renewable

Renewable Renewable

End date, if applicable

Position FTE

Position FTE 1.0

Tenure Status N - not applicable

Position Summary

Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept Portland State University is Oregon’s most affordable public research university, located in the heart of one of America’s most dynamic cities. Our mission to “let knowledge serve the city” reflects our dedication to turning ideas into action — in Portland and around the world. The city is our campus, giving students unmatched access to career connections, a vibrant cultural scene and hands-on learning experiences with hundreds of community partners.
More than 20,000 students from all backgrounds bring diverse perspectives to our classrooms and campus life,from the tree-lined Park Blocks to the bustling Urban Plaza and state-of-the-art science labs. We are proud of our world-class faculty, groundbreaking research and international reputation for excellence in sustainability, community engagement and innovation.
The Sponsored Projects Administration ( SPA ) unit within Research and Graduate Studies ( RGS ) serves as the central administrative unit at PSU responsible for assisting faculty and staff with activities related to the lifecycle of sponsored project administration. SPA staff provides administrative expertise and professional support to faculty and staff from proposal development and submission, through award negotiation and acceptance on behalf of the University, to award management and closeout.

The Award Acceptance Manager provides operational leadership for SPA’s Award Acceptance function and is responsible for overseeing the timely, consistent, and effective review, negotiation, acceptance, documentation, and stewardship of sponsored research awards and related agreements. The position supervises a team of Grants & Agreements Specialists responsible for reviewing, negotiating, and accepting sponsored awards and research agreements; drafting and executing outgoing subaward agreements; and documenting award information necessary to support institutional stewardship, compliance, and financial management.
The Award Acceptance Manager establishes operational priorities, manages workload and service delivery, develops staff, resolves complex agreement issues, and promotes consistent application of university policy, sponsor requirements, and applicable regulations. Working collaboratively with SPA leadership and campus partners, the position serves as the University’s technical resource for research agreements and leads operational improvements that strengthen research administration services and support the University’s research mission
The Award Acceptance Manager serves as an Authorized Organizational Representative ( AOR ) and Institutional Signing Official for sponsored projects, authorized to execute sponsor required certifications, assurances, representations, and other institutional approvals related to sponsored projects. In accordance with PSU’s Delegated Signature Authority Policy, the incumbent also has delegated authority to execute sponsored project agreements and other authorized documents that legally bind the University to financial and administrative commitments

This position is based at Portland State University’s vibrant urban campus in downtown Portland, where you’ll be part of a welcoming and collaborative community. We offer flexible scheduling options and, when operational needs allow, the possibility of limited remote work (typically up to one day per week) under an approved remote work agreement in line with University policy

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and three or more years of related experience.*

*A Master’s Degree may substitute for a portion of experience requirements.

Related experience includes:

• Experience reviewing, interpreting, and negotiating sponsored awards and research agreements, including grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements.
• Experience interpreting and applying federal and state laws and regulations, including experience in financial management of sponsored awards.
• Experience drafting and issuing subaward agreements.
• Working knowledge of federal regulations governing research (e.g., OMB Uniform Guidance, Federal Acquisition Regulations, and sponsor policies).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to learn quickly, apply creativity, understand complex processes and procedures, prioritize workload, set and meet deadlines, and perform well with a minimum of direct supervision.
• Demonstrated commitment to excellent customer service and focus on customer support.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required to Perform the Duties of the Position:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to learn quickly, apply creativity, understand complex processes and procedures, prioritize workload, set and meet deadlines, and perform well with a minimum of direct supervision.
• Demonstrated commitment to excellent customer service and focus on customer support.
• Ability to monitor and communicate project status, keep multiple projects on track.
• Interpersonal skills for inter-departmental communication and team-building in complex institutional setting.
• Computer and technical skills: proficiency in Google, Microsoft Office, including Word, and Excel, scheduling and email programs as well as financial information systems and the ability to troubleshoot systems and learn new applications quickly.
• Ability to communicate ideas, thoughts, and meaning to clearly articulate positions and communicate clearly and diplomatically with all levels of the University, sponsors and audit agencies.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and proven skill in problem solving and decision making in the most difficult and unique areas; demonstrated ability to anticipate consequences of decisions, proactively plan to resolve problems, and identify and implement viable solutions.
• Ability to lead operational improvements through workload management, process improvement, and data-informed decision making.
• Skill in thoughtfully and expeditiously dealing with diverse personnel issues and circumstances; in interacting tactfully and diplomatically, yet assertively, with persons from diverse backgrounds and in creating and supporting harmonious working relationships among employees, maintain positive morale and motivating productivity.
• Demonstrated coaching skills (developing team dynamics, facilitating; promoting empowerment; fostering creativity).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in sponsored projects administration at an institution of higher education strongly preferred.
• Supervisory experience strongly preferred.
• Experience reviewing and negotiating sponsored awards and research agreements in a higher education or other research environment preferred.
• Create an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences.
• Function and communicate effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.
• Seek opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
• Adhere to all of PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.

Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.

Work Days/Hours

Work Days/Hours Monday - Friday, 40 hours per week, schedule to be determined.

Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement

Salary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band. PSU has a structured process for determining starting compensation, taking into account years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity.
The starting annual salary for this position will be between $65,100 and $86,274 but may be negotiated above this range dependent upon the factors above, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.
An excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools.
Please visit our total compensation calculator t o see the full value of our benefits package.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled