Head of Grants & Academic Research Office

Colorado-Mesa-University; Grand Junction (CO); On-site; USD 82,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent health benefits

Retirement benefits package

Job summary

Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, CO, seeks a Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs to lead the full grant lifecycle—from pre‑award to post‑award—while ensuring compliance with sponsor rules and internal controls. You will oversee budgeting, reporting, and stakeholder relationships with investigators and funding partners.

The role requires a Master’s degree and at least several years of leadership in grant administration, with CRA preferred.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited university.
• 3–5 years of leadership experience including personnel management and budgeting.
• Experience with both pre-award and post-award grant administration (proposal, awards, reporting).
• CRA or similar certification is preferred.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the OSP team through the full grant lifecycle including pre-award and post-award activities.
• Monitor compliance with sponsor regulations and internal policies.
• Manage departmental budget and contribute to annual strategy and goals.
• Cultivate relationships with Principal Investigators, Project Directors, and sponsors.
• Provide training and ongoing guidance on grant processes and compliance requirements.
• Coordinate with Finance, Foundation, and Academic Affairs to align award administration.

Skills

Grant management

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Budget oversight

Stakeholder communication

Mentoring

Project management

Education

Master’s degree (MA/MS/MBA) from a fully accredited university

Tools

SAM.gov

Grant management software

Job description

Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, CO, seeks a Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs to lead the full grant lifecycle—from pre‑award to post‑award—while ensuring compliance with sponsor rules and internal controls. You will oversee budgeting, reporting, and stakeholder relationships with investigators and funding partners.

The role requires a Master’s degree and at least several years of leadership in grant administration, with CRA preferred.