Executive Director- Sponsored Programs

Georgia Institute of Technology; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 177,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Georgia Tech seeks an Executive Director – Sponsored Programs to lead non-financial administration for grants, contracts, and subawards across the institute. You will set priorities, guide policy development, and oversee teams including Corporate & International Contracting, Exchange Agreements, and Subawards.

You will serve as a subject matter expert on regulations, negotiate terms, and partner with faculty to optimize research administration.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Eight or more years of job-related experience with three years of supervisory experience.
• Experience leading sponsored programs administration and contract management.
• Strong knowledge of federal/state regulations and compliance in research administration.

Responsibilities

• Lead team responsible for timely administration of sponsored research agreements and related contracts.
• Set goals and priorities for the team and its directors/managers.
• Create and implement new programs or departments to meet research needs.
• Serve as SME on research administration, compliance, and policy.
• Engage in strategic planning for sponsored programs and advise leaders.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Communication

Strategic planning

Education

Master's Degree

Job description

Executive Director – Sponsored Programs

Location: Atlanta, GA

Full Time, Regular

Job ID: 301027

Job Summary

The Executive Director - Sponsored Programs role will provide leadership, develop and implement policies and procedures, establish team priorities, set employee and team goals, and assess employee and team performance. The role will lead teams responsible for non-financial administration for all grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and other agreements supporting research within the institute. The Corporate & International Contracting, Exchange Agreements, and Subawards teams include a variety of professionals, responsible for proposal and award, exchange agreement, and subaward administration for sponsored projects across the institute. Will serve as a subject matter expert on research administration topics including intellectual property rights, corporate contracting norms and the Federal Acquisition Regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead team responsible for: timely administration of sponsored research agreements, which may include gift award letters, research support agreements (including but not limited to non‑disclosure agreements, Material Transfer Agreements, and Data Use Agreements), and subaward and related consulting agreements including identification and review of relevant sponsor requirements and Institute policies; proposal review and submission; negotiation of terms and conditions, and coordination with departments responsible for compliance with laws, rules, and regulations, such as research integrity, export control and research security.
• Set goals and determine priorities for the team and its directors and managers.
• Create and implement new programs and/or departments that effectively meet the needs of research faculty and staff.
• Serve as subject matter expert on research administration, including compliance requirements, Institute policies and state and federal regulations.
• Participate in and/or lead strategic planning for sponsored programs. Ability to engage in complex problem solving and advise leaders on such matters.
• Develop, implement, assess and maintain the sponsored programs policies and procedures for effective and efficient administration of gifts, grants, contracts, sub‑awards and other sponsored agreements.
• Represent the Institute via participation on national association boards and committees.
• Perform other job‑related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Educational Requirements: Master's Degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Required Experience: Eight or more years of job‑related experience with three years of supervisory experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred Certifications, Licenses or Permits: Certified Research Administrator, Registered Technology Transfer Professional, Certified Pre‑Award Financial Administrator and/or Certified Financial Research Administrator.
• Preferred Educational Qualifications: Doctoral degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Preferred Experience: Ten years managing within an institution of higher education's research administration office.
• Preferred Experience: Ten years negotiating intellectual property rights clauses in various agreements.
• Preferred Experience: Ten years negotiating complex contracts with corporate and international sponsors.
• Preferred Experience: Ten years of experience with an institution of higher education or other not‑for‑profit institution receiving sponsored research awards.
• Experience supporting organizational change management, business process improvement, or system modernization initiatives within a research administration, sponsored programs, or higher education environment.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• May require obtaining national security clearance.
• Ability to maintain current working knowledge of relevant federal and state regulations and sponsor requirements.
• In-depth knowledge of grants and contracts administration regulations, intellectual property laws, international contracting norms, and policies and practices including the Federal Acquisition Regulations.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills; proven leadership skills; effective management in a complex, compliance‑driven environment; proactive decision‑making and problem‑solving skills.
• Leadership management, customer service skills; reading comprehension and logical reasoning; proficiency in using office equipment and specialized computer applications and systems.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The Institute is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and Institute policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.

Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia ("USG") and Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of an individual's race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as 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 online 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 online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Other Information

Salary range: $177,000.00 – $240,000.00

Location: Atlanta, GA

Job grade: A16

This is a supervisory position.

This position does not have financial responsibilities.

No, this position will not be required to drive.

This role is considered a position of trust.

This position does not require a purchasing card (P‑Card).

This position will not travel.

This position does not require security clearance.

Background Check

A successful candidate must be able to pass a background check. Please visit https://usg.policystat.com/policy/19298143/latest.