Grants & Contracts Strategy Director

Appalachian State University; Boone (NC); On-site; USD 133,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Appalachian State University seeks a strategic Director of Contracts and Grants Administration to lead the full sponsored project lifecycle within the Office of Research and Innovation. You will supervise a team of professionals and ensure high-quality support from proposal preparation through award closeout.

The role emphasizes compliance, financial stewardship, and service-oriented practices while partnering with faculty, staff, and external sponsors to advance research goals on campus.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in business administration, public administration, accounting, finance, higher education administration, research administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in sponsored programs administration, research administration, grants management, contract and grant accounting, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of supervisory or management experience leading professional staff and complex administrative operations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal sponsored project regulations, Uniform Guidance, sponsor requirements, and research administration best practices.
• Experience managing pre-award and post-award functions, including proposal submission, award administration, compliance, and financial oversight.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret regulations, exercise independent judgment, and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage the daily operations of the CGA department, ensuring effective coordination across pre- and post-award functions, contract negotiation, closeout, and reporting.
• Serve as a key advisor to the Vice Chancellor of Research and Innovation for research administration operations, financial compliance, staffing, systems, and strategic initiatives.
• Develop and implement strategic plans, operational priorities, and performance measures that advance institutional research and innovation goals.
• Lead organizational change initiatives, process improvements, and technology implementations that improve efficiency, transparency, and service delivery.
• Establish clear expectations, workflows, service standards, and performance measures that support timely, accurate, compliant, and customer-oriented service to faculty and campus partners.

Skills

Sponsored programs administration

Contract and grant accounting

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Communication with stakeholders

Education

Master's degree in related field

Job description

Appalachian State University seeks a strategic Director of Contracts and Grants Administration to lead the full sponsored project lifecycle within the Office of Research and Innovation. You will supervise a team of professionals and ensure high-quality support from proposal preparation through award closeout.

The role emphasizes compliance, financial stewardship, and service-oriented practices while partnering with faculty, staff, and external sponsors to advance research goals on campus.