Director, Office of Sponsored Projects

Dartmouth College; Hanover (NH); On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH seeks a Director, Office of Sponsored Projects to oversee pre- and post-award administration of externally funded research and to steward government and private funding. The Director leads OSP and partners with the research community to secure funding and ensure responsible stewardship.

The role directs compliance, policy development, and workflow improvements while collaborating with IT and legal partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus 6+ years' experience or a combination of education and experience.
• 15 years of progressively responsible experience in grants and contracts administration.
• 7+ years of senior-level experience in sponsored projects administration.
• Experience leading in a complex, decentralized organization.

Responsibilities

• Directs pre-award and post-award administration for externally funded programs.
• Ensures proposals and awards comply with federal, state, sponsor, and Dartmouth requirements.
• Negotiates with federal sponsors and contracting officers to secure favorable terms.
• Leads training and development for OSP staff to maintain compliance knowledge.
• Represents Dartmouth in professional associations and coordinates with legal and ethics partners.

Skills

Grants administration

Senior management

Policy development

Leadership

Federal regulations

Communications

Negotiation

Ethics & confidentiality

Diversity & inclusion

Grant systems proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree + 6+ years experience

Job description

Posting date

06/01/2026

Open Until Filled

Yes

Position Number

0010600

Position Title

Director, Office of Sponsored Projects

Hiring Range Minimum

Please Inquire

Hiring Range Maximum

Please Inquire

Union Type

Not a Union Position

SEIU Level

Not an SEIU Position

FLSA Status

Exempt

Employment Category

Regular Full Time

Scheduled Months per Year

12

Scheduled Hours per Week

40

Location of Position

Hanover, NH

Remote Work Eligibility?

Onsite only

Is this a term position?

No

If yes, length of term in months.

NA

Is this a grant funded position?

No

Position Purpose

The Director, Office of Sponsored Projects is the senior authorized official for all pre- and post-award administration of externally funded research. The Director leads the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) and assists the Dartmouth research community in securing and ensuring appropriate stewardship of government and private funding. The Director establishes the office’s mission and ensures that the actions and activities of OSP staff align with and support that mission.

Required Qualifications - Education and Yrs Exp

Bachelors plus 6 or more years' experience or combination of education and experience

Required Qualifications - Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• 15 years of progressively responsible experience in grants and contracts administration.
• 7 or more years of senior-level experience in sponsored projects or sponsored activity administration.
• Demonstrated success in a senior management role within a complex, decentralized organization.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with faculty and staff at all levels.
• Proven ability to lead through influence, drive change, and succeed in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Strong knowledge of federal laws and regulations governing sponsored projects, with the ability to interpret and communicate requirements clearly.
• Sound judgment and strong negotiation skills.
• High ethical standards and demonstrated experience handling confidential information.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and use grant management systems effectively.
• Ongoing commitment to professional development and to advancing the research administration profession.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and to serving the needs of a diverse community.

Preferred Qualifications

• Significant experience in an academic setting is strongly preferred.
• An advanced degree (e.g., M.S., M.B.A.) is preferred.
• Experience working directly with federal officials is strongly preferred

Department Contact for Recruitment Inquiries

Kyle Hastbacka

Department Contact Phone Number

[e-mail]

Department Contact for Cover Letter and Title

Dean Madden, Vice Provost for Research

Equal Opportunity Employer

Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity employer under federal law. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications are welcome from all.

Background Check

Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, conduct review, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to Dartmouth College. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Dartmouth vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job?

Not an essential function

Special Instructions to Applicants

Dartmouth College has a Tobacco-Free Policy. Smoking and the use of tobacco-based products (including smokeless tobacco) are prohibited in all facilities, grounds, vehicles or other areas owned, operated or occupied by Dartmouth College with no exceptions. For details, please see our policy. https://policies.dartmouth.edu/policy/tobacco-free-policy

Quick Link

https://searchjobs.dartmouth.edu/postings/85911

Description

Strategic Leadership, Workflow & Technology -

• Serves as senior staff to the Vice Provost for Research, advising on sponsored-project activities and related policy development.
• Partners with school leadership, central offices, and senior administration to shape research policy and administration.
• Leads improvements to workflows, business processes, policies, and systems to reduce redundancy, increase efficiency, and strengthen service quality.
• Partners with Information Technology & Consulting (ITC) to identify and prioritize technology enhancements that improve the functionality of research administration systems.
• Represents Dartmouth at professional associations (e.g., Ivy+, COGR, NORDP, FDP).
• Monitors and interprets applicable federal, state, and institutional requirements, in collaboration with the Research Integrity and Security Director, including research security, export control, and sponsor data security requirements.
• Collaborates with the Office of General Counsel, Office of Research Integrity, and other compliance partners to ensure OSP policies, procedures, and systems remain aligned with evolving requirements.
• Provides reporting, analysis, and data to support senior leadership decision-making and inform internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversees training for new and current research administration staff to maintain strong knowledge of compliance requirements and sponsored-project practices.
• Leads preparation of Dartmouth’s indirect cost proposal.

Percentage Of Time

30

Description

Award Administration & Institutional Protection -

• Directs and oversees pre-award and post-award administration for externally funded programs, from proposal authorization through award management, financial oversight, and reporting.
• Evaluates and improves OSP workflows and processes related to proposal review and authorization, proposal submission, award and contract negotiation, post-award administration, and financial management and reporting.
• Ensures proposals and awards comply with federal, state, sponsor, and Dartmouth requirements governing grants, contracts, and research security.
• Serves as Dartmouth’s institutional signature authority by reviewing award and contract terms, leading negotiations that protect the university’s interests and academic freedom, and approving award acceptance.
• Negotiates with federal sponsors and contracting officers, as needed, to support budget requests and secure terms consistent with Dartmouth policy.

Percentage Of Time

50

Description

Staff Leadership & Development -

• Leads, supervises, and develops OSP staff, including hiring, workforce planning, and staffing decisions.
• Provides coaching, training, and mentoring, and oversees performance management to build a high-performing and collaborative team.
• Fosters a professional, collegial, and welcoming work environment through inclusive and respectful leadership, communication, and interactions.

Percentage Of Time

20

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Demonstrates professionalism and collegiality through actions, interactions, and communications with others appropriate to an environment that is welcoming to all.

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Performs other duties as assigned