Senior Learning and Engagement Specialist, Office of Sponsored Projects

Phase2 Technology; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 63,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-paid medical

Retirement contributions

Paid vacation & sick time

Paid holidays

Telework eligible

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin's Office of Sponsored Projects is seeking a Senior Learning and Engagement Specialist to advance learning initiatives for research administrators and staff. Based in Austin, the role focuses on stakeholder engagement, program coordination, and developing practical guidance across the sponsored project lifecycle.

You will plan and deliver workshops, webinars, and resources, coordinate subject matter experts, and contribute to continuous improvement of learning

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Five years of relevant professional experience in research administration or higher education.
• Experience planning, facilitating, or delivering educational programs.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to manage multiple projects independently.

Responsibilities

• Identify learning needs and engage stakeholders to inform education priorities.
• Build collaborations across the UT research community to align practices.
• Monitor trends and sponsor changes to develop educational resources.
• Communicate feedback and recommendations to leadership.
• Plan and deliver instructor-led learning opportunities and webinars.
• Coordinate SME participation for high-quality sessions.
• Support ongoing learning programs and ambassador initiatives.
• Monitor policy changes affecting research administration.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Learning facilitation

Program coordination

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Organizational skills

Microsoft Office Suite

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Education, Communications, Public Administration, Higher Education, or related field

Job description

Senior Learning and Engagement Specialist, Office of Sponsored Projects

Hiring Department: Learning and Engagement

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40

FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date: Immediately

Position Duration: Expected to Continue

Location: AUSTIN, TX

The Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) serves as the coordinating office for externally funded research and sponsored projects at The University of Texas at Austin. The mission of OSP is to assist faculty and professional research staff in their efforts to secure and ensure proper stewardship of external funding. We do that by assisting research faculty and staff with the following: proposal review, authorization, and submission; award negotiations and acceptance; account management; close‑out, reports, audits, collection; professional development and education; export control, and research compliance.

Benefits:

• 100% employer‑paid basic medical coverage

• Retirement contributions

• Paid vacation and sick time

• Paid holidays

• Eligible for telework

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Purpose

Serves as an outward-facing member of the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) Learning and Engagement team by building collaborative relationships with the UT research community and translating evolving research administration requirements into practical learning opportunities and operational guidance. Partners with OSP leadership, subject matter experts, and campus stakeholders to identify emerging needs, coordinate educational initiatives, facilitate knowledge sharing, and promote consistent research administration practices throughout the sponsored project lifecycle.

Responsibilities

Learning Needs Assessment & Stakeholder Engagement

• Partner with OSP leadership, subject matter experts, and campus stakeholders to identify emerging learning needs, operational challenges, and opportunities for continuous improvement.

• Build and maintain collaborative relationships across the UT research community to understand evolving research administration practices and strengthen partnerships.

• Monitor trends, recurring questions, sponsor changes, and stakeholder feedback to identify opportunities for new or enhanced educational resources and outreach initiatives.

• Communicate stakeholder feedback, emerging issues, and recommendations to OSP leadership to inform learning priorities.

Learning Facilitation & Program Coordination

• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate instructor‑led learning opportunities, including workshops, orientations, webinars, office hours, cohort‑based programs, and other educational sessions for research administrators and OSP staff.

• Deliver engaging learning experiences using a variety of instructional and facilitation techniques that encourage knowledge sharing, discussion, and practical application.

• Coordinate subject matter expert participation to support high‑quality learning opportunities.

• Support implementation and continuous improvement of the OSP Learning Continuum and related professional development initiatives.

• Support implementation and ongoing coordination of the OSP Learning Ambassador Program.

Sponsor Guidance & Knowledge Management

• Monitor sponsor, federal, state, university, and OSP policy, procedure, and system changes affecting research administration.

• Analyze operational impacts and collaborate with subject matter experts to translate complex requirements into practical guidance for the research community.

• Identify recurring questions, emerging issues, and knowledge gaps that may require new or revised educational resources.

• Support the development of consistent messaging and guidance related to evolving research administration requirements.

Learning Resource Development

• Develop and maintain operational guidance and educational resources, including reference guides, FAQs, job aids, workflow documents, templates, and other knowledge resources.

• Collaborate with team members to support the development and dissemination of educational content through a variety of learning and communication channels.

• Coordinate periodic review and maintenance of educational resources to ensure accuracy, consistency, and alignment with current sponsor and university requirements.

Continuous Improvement & Organizational Support

• Participate in cross-functional projects and strategic initiatives that support OSP operational excellence.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of Learning and Engagement services, processes, and resources.

Other Duties

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Education, Communications, Public Administration, Higher Education, or a related field.

• Five years of progressively responsible professional experience in research administration, higher education, organizational learning, stakeholder engagement, communications, program coordination, or a related field.

• Demonstrated experience planning, facilitating, or delivering presentations, workshops, training sessions, or other educational programs for varied audiences.

• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships and work effectively with various stakeholders.

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex information into clear, practical guidance.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize competing responsibilities, and work independently in a collaborative environment.

• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and other collaboration technologies.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in sponsored research administration within a higher education environment.

• Knowledge of federal sponsor regulations, research administration policies, and sponsored project lifecycle processes.

• Experience facilitating workshops, presentations, or professional development programs.

• Experience interpreting and communicating complex policies, regulations, or operational procedures.

• Experience developing operational guidance, knowledge resources, or educational materials in collaboration with subject matter experts.

• Experience supporting organizational change, stakeholder engagement, or continuous improvement initiatives.

Salary Range

$74,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• May work around standard office conditions

• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation

Required Materials

Resume/CV

3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor.

Letter of interest

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University‑Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I‑9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.