Chief Officer - Sponsored Programs & Research Administration

Valdosta State University; Valdosta (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Valdosta State University is seeking a Chief Officer for Sponsored Programs & Research Administration. This role involves administrative leadership, compliance with regulations, and fiscal oversight of approximately $4.8 million in grant funding.

The ideal candidate will have a master's degree and ten years of relevant experience, with a strong emphasis on supervisory roles. Responsibilities include developing strategic plans and ensuring adherence to legal requirements, making this a pivotal position in advancing the University’s mission.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree and ten years' experience required.
• Seven years in a supervisory role is mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive plans for sponsored programs.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Supervise and lead departmental activities.

Education

Master’s degree in a specified field

Ten (10) years of work experience in a related field

Seven (7) years must have been in a supervisory role

Job description

Job Title: Chief Officer - Sponsored Programs & Research Administration

Location: Valdosta State University

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Job ID: 300226

Job Summary

Responsible for developing and executing comprehensive plans and providing administrative leadership in support of the overall strategic direction for the University. This position will ensure compliance with legislation, legal requirements, and government reporting, and record keeping regulations at the state, federal, and local levels.

Based on the recent Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers (H-1B), VSU will not be sponsoring any new H‑1B visa petitions until further notice.

Responsibilities

Department Summary: The Office of Sponsored Programs & Research Administration (OSPRA) supports faculty, staff, and students in the acquisition and administration of externally funded projects and programs, the ethical conduct of research, and the development of internal and external research collaborations to advance the mission of the University.

Typical Allocation of Duties

• Leadership, direction, and supervision – 25%: Provide executive‑level leadership and direction to other leaders within an area of the university. Assign, direct, and supervise the work of personnel.
• Administration – 20%: Administer a major department, initiative, or unit with full authority of that area.
• Subject‑matter expert – 15%: Serve as subject‑matter expert for a specific area for the university.
• Department representative – 10%: Represent the University to external stakeholders at events and on various committees.
• Manage budget – 10%: Develop, monitor, and administer a substantial budget of a department, initiative, or unit.
• Compliance – 10%: Interact with federal, state, and local entities to ensure compliance with appropriate statutes and regulations.
• Policy and Procedure – 10%: Establish and administer policies and procedures for department, initiative, or unit.

Supervisor Expectations

• University-wide strategic leadership: Responsible for developing and executing comprehensive plans to expand the University’s grants and sponsored programs portfolio and supporting institutional strategic priorities.
• Executive oversight across multiple functional areas: Direct and coordinate efforts across Procurement, Payroll, Financial Services, Internal Audit, and other units involved in pre‑award, post‑award, and compliance functions.
• Full administrative authority: Responsible and accountable for the grants and sponsored programs function, including operational effectiveness and outcomes.
• External representation and relationship management: Serve as a key representative of the University to local, state, and federal stakeholders and actively build and maintain those relationships.
• Institutional subject‑matter expertise: Function as the University-wide expert on grants, sponsored programs, and related compliance requirements.
• Budget oversight and growth responsibility: Manage the department’s budget and oversee the compliance of current grant funding (~$4.8M) while leading efforts to grow this portfolio significantly by cultivating relationships with external funding agencies, industries, foundations, local, state, and federal government sponsors, and other funding sources.
• Regulatory compliance leadership: Engage directly with federal, state, and local entities to ensure adherence to evolving regulations.
• Policy development authority: Overhaul and establish policies and procedures aligned with current institutional and system direction.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a specified field and ten (10) years of work experience in a related field, of which at least seven (7) years must have been in a supervisory role. Terminal degree and/or professional licensure, certification, and/or designation may be required in some areas.

Proposed Salary

Commensurate with experience.

Conditions of Employment

• Professional references with current contact information
• Documentation of academic credentials
• Employment history

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check investigation, including a criminal background check reference checks, credit check, Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) pre‑employment drug testing, and confirmation of credentials. Additional job-based requirements if applicable include satisfactory completion of a Credit check, Motor Vehicle Report, and drug testing.

After initial hiring, employees will be required to successfully complete all of the following training: New employee orientation, VSU’s Annual Compliance Training: USG Ethics Policy, Conflict of Interest/Outside Activities Policy, Drug Free Workplace, Sexual Misconduct and Title IX, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Motor Vehicle Policy, Workers Compensation (new hires), Georgia Open Records Act (new hires), USG Cybersecurity Training (required twice yearly), and Job‑specific training such as FMLA and Worker's Compensation, Budget Manager training, Purchasing Training (ePro & PCard), and Defensive Driving.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Valdosta State University is an equal opportunity educational institution. It is not the intent of the institution to discriminate against any applicant for admission or any student or employee of the institution based on the age, sex, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation of the individual.