Senior Manager, Sponsored Programs & Partnerships

University Industry Demonstration Partnership; East Lansing (MI); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan State University seeks an experienced Sponsored Programs Assistant Director to lead drafting, negotiation, and execution of contracts and subcontracts aligned with MSU goals and regulatory standards. The role collaborates with internal units to ensure compliance and integrates proposal management and accounting systems to support research objectives.

The position oversees a two-person team, engages with for-profit sponsors, and reports to the Executive Director of MSU Business Connect.

Qualifications

• Four-year college degree in Accounting, Business or Administration.
• Five to eight years of contract negotiation and management experience.
• Experience supervising a team.
• Ability to interpret and negotiate contracts and subcontracts.

Responsibilities

• Oversee contract and subcontract management for Sponsored Programs and Fee-for-Service activities.
• Coordinate regulatory and financial compliance with key university offices.
• Supervise two staff to support contract review and pre-/post-award processes.
• Provide executive-level contract support to the Business-Connect leadership.
• Pursue continuing education in Clinical Trial practices and university contract negotiation trends.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Leadership

Verbal communication

Written communication

Collaboration

Time management

Education

Four-year college degree in Accounting, Business or Administration

Tools

MS Office

Adobe

Zoom

Teams

Job description

Michigan State University seeks an experienced Sponsored Programs Assistant Director to lead drafting, negotiation, and execution of contracts and subcontracts aligned with MSU goals and regulatory standards. The role collaborates with internal units to ensure compliance and integrates proposal management and accounting systems to support research objectives.

The position oversees a two-person team, engages with for-profit sponsors, and reports to the Executive Director of MSU Business Connect.