Executive Director, Office of Grants and Sponsored Research Development (GSRD)

Winthrop University; Rock Hill (SC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Winthrop University’s Office of Grants and Sponsored Research Development seeks an Executive Director to manage and optimize all aspects of grants and contracts administration. The role includes pre-award and compliance personnel oversight, proposal development and submission, and support for faculty, staff and students pursuing internal and external funding.

The incumbent will lead Grants Office operations, supervise staff, ensure regulatory compliance (IRB/IACUC/IBC where applicable), and

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field is required.
• At least five years in research administration at higher education with grant experience.
• Experience with pre-award and post-award processes and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Develops proposal budgets and budget justifications.
• Reviews grant applications for compliance with policies, regulations and sponsor guidelines.
• Oversees grant application processing, approvals, records and tracking.
• Acts as Authorized Organizational Representative for federal grant submissions.
• Leads research development and pre-award trainings.
• Provides leadership to Grants Office staff and manages operations.

Skills

Attention to detail

Strong interpersonal skills

Communication excellence

Project management

Leadership ability

Analytical thinking

Education

Master’s degree in business, public administration, research discipline, social science or related field

Tools

Grants.gov

NSF FastLane/Research.gov

eRA Commons

Job description

The Executive Director for the Office of Grants and Sponsored Research Development (GSRD) manages and optimizes all aspects of the university’s grants and contracts administration, including office operations, pre-award and compliance personnel, proposal development and submission processes and research compliance, and provides grant administration support services to faculty, staff and students in pursuit of internal and external funding for research, creative activity and program development.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business, public administration, research discipline, social science or other appropriate field.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in research administration at an institution of higher education with in-depth knowledge of grant administration (pre- and post-award) practices, processes and procedures.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ten or more years of progressively responsible experience in research administration at an institution of higher education with in-depth knowledge of grant administration practices (pre- and post-award), processes and procedures.
• Experience with Grants.gov, NSF FastLane/Research. gov, eRA Commons and other online grant submission portals.
• Demonstrated commitment to the values of diversity, equity and inclusion within higher education.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Summary

• Working knowledge of non-financial compliance management (i.e., IRB, IACUC, IBC).
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal (e.g. NSF, NIH or ED) regulations and grants/contracts management guidelines (i.e., OMB Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200).
• Working knowledge of Grants.gov, NSF FastLane/Research. gov, eRA Commons and other online grant submission portals.
• Excellent written communication as well as editing and proofreading skills and ability to generate high-quality written communications, grants and reports.
• Attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate with diverse groups and personnel across campus as well as sponsor representatives.
• Strong financial, audit and computer skills.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate application submissions while effectively managing different personalities and following guidelines and policies.
• Ability to manage multiple and competing priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to design and conduct professional development trainings.
• Ability to work independently, analyze situations quickly and accurately and formulate effective courses of action.

Job Summary

• Pre-Award Administration
• Develops proposal budgets and writes budget justifications.
• Reviews all grant applications to ensure compliance with university policies and procedures, State of South Carolina laws, federal regulations and sponsor guidelines. Ensures applications are formatted, packaged and submitted according to sponsor requirements.
• Oversees grant application processing, electronic approvals, records maintenance and proposal tracking in university systems.
• Serves as an Authorized Organizational Representative to submit and administer all federal grant applications and signs official grant documents on behalf of the university.
• Serves as liaison to funding agencies to resolve questions or challenges that arise during research development and pre-award processes.
• Reviews and processes grant and contract awards, ensuring accuracy and compliance while coordinating award setup and tracking within university financial systems.
• Reviews and coordinates all award modifications and grant extension requests, working with sponsors to obtain award amendments.
• Prepares, administers and approves all subawards with partner institutions and sponsors.
• Serves on the Research Council, reads and scores all applications, participates in application review sessions and makes funding recommendations to the Provost.

Research Development

• Identifies potential funding opportunities and cultivates a portfolio of federal, state and local sponsors, companies and foundations to support research, training, creative activity, professional and program development and institutional infrastructure needs. Disseminates to the campus community regularly.
• Meets, collaborates and stays engaged with members of the campus community to discuss and remain aware of their research, creative and programmatic interests and funding needs.
• Provides technical assistance to faculty and staff by designing and presenting research development and pre-award administration training activities that cultivate interest and increase knowledge and skills.
• Assists faculty and staff in the development of competitive proposals to external funding agencies and fosters an environment that supports the campus community’s pursuit of external funding.
• Assists in writing grant applications as needed.

Administrative and Operational

• Provides leadership to and managerial oversight of Grants Office staff and operations to ensure a high level of service to the campus community.
• Supervises the Compliance Coordinator, who is responsible for administering the Institutional Research Board (IRB), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), and Biosafety Committee.
• Completes GSRD’s annual Continuous Improvement Report and Plan.
• Updates website content as needed.
• Develops and maintains GSRD operational procedures. Writes and updates guides and handbooks.
• Supports internal committees to ensure compliance with rules and policies for research occurring on campus.
• Compiles proposal data and provides periodic reports to the Provost, Deans and Board of Trustees.
• Generates effort reports quarterly.
• Hires and trains staff.

Travel/Overtime Requirements

Occasional overtime may be required to meet deadlines.

Telecommuting

Employees are not eligible for telecommuting/remote work during their 12-month probationary period. After that time, certain positions may be eligible for telecommuting/remote work at the discretion of the supervisor and in accordance with Winthrop policies.

Type of Position

Unclassified

Position Status

Full-Time

FLSA Status

Exempt

Hours Per Week

37.5

Months per Year

12

Posting Detail Information

Open Date

09/23/2026

Close Date

11/01/2026

Special Instructions to Applicants

Three professional references, including contact information, are required in the reference section on the application.

PLEASE NOTE

• A resume will not be reviewed to determine whether an applicant meets the qualifications outlined in the job vacancy notice (posting).
• Responses to supplemental questions are considered part of the application; failure to respond will result in disqualification.

Supplemental Questions

• Describe your experience working directly with faculty, researchers, administrators or external sponsors to develop and advance funding opportunities.
• Describe your experience administering grant awards, including award review, setup, modifications, extensions and subawards.

Documents Needed To Apply

Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter