Strategic Director of Sponsored Research & Grants

East Stroudsburg University; East Stroudsburg (Monroe County); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Retirement contributions

Wellness program

Paid leave

Job summary

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania is seeking a Director for the Office of Sponsored Research and Grants to oversee external funding administration for research and academic projects. You will lead a dynamic team, collaborate with the Provost, and streamline grants processing while ensuring financial compliance.

The role requires progressive supervisory experience, knowledge of federal/state regulations, and the ability to advance ESU’s research priorities with strategic guidance and

Qualifications

• Master's degree (Ph.D. or equivalent preferred) in a related field such as Research Administration, Business Administration, or a field closely aligned with the institution’s research priorities.
• A minimum of 7-10 years of experience in research administration, including significant experience with grants management, budgeting, and compliance.
• At least 3 years of supervisory experience, with a demonstrated ability to lead and manage teams effectively.
• Familiarity with federal funding agencies (e.g., NIH, NSF, DOE) and private funding sources.
• Strong understanding of the policies, regulations, and procedures governing sponsored research in higher education.
• Proficient in grants management software, project management tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to articulate complex concepts to diverse audiences.
• Exceptional organizational, problem-solving, and time management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments, with faculty, administrators, and external partners.
• High level of integrity, attention to detail, and commitment to ethical standards in research and financial management.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for and management of the Office of Sponsored Research and Grants, ensuring alignment with the institution's mission, goals, and research priorities.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the institution and external funding agencies, including federal, state, and private sector sponsors.
• Oversee the preparation, review, and submission of grant proposals to federal, state, and private funding organizations ensuring compliance with sponsor guidelines, institutional policies, and federal regulations.
• Coordinate with principal investigators to ensure successful grant applications and facilitate the preparation of research proposals that meet sponsor guidelines.
• Ensure adherence to federal, state, institutional, and sponsor-specific regulations regarding research grants, contracts, and financial management, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), IRB protocols, and export control regulations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for external agencies regarding sponsored research compliance issues.
• Coordinate with appropriate offices the preparation of budgets for grant proposals, ensuring that budgeted research expenses remain within approved parameters.
• Work with departmental and central administration staff to track and report on grant funds utilization.
• Develop and deliver educational programs, workshops, and seminars for faculty and staff to improve knowledge and skills in securing and managing sponsored research.
• Stay current on trends, changes in funding agency priorities, and new research grant regulations to inform best practices.

Skills

Grants management

Budgeting

Compliance

Leadership

Education

Master's degree in related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Grants management software

Project management tools

Job description

As the Directoryou will need to think creatively and be comfortable overseeing the departments administration, coordination, and compliance of external funding for research and academic projects. You will be an active member of the Academic Affairs team and will work closely with the Provost to further boost ESU’s reputation as a driving force in research. This role will pioneer the streamlining of the grants application process, offering strategic guidance to the campus community, and ensuring financial compliance throughout the lifecycle of sponsored research. The Director will also lead a dynamic team of professionals to maximize research funding opportunities while adhering federal, state and institutional policies. You will thrive in this role if you like combining your research administration background and grant management experience all while cultivating a vibrant community conducive to cutting-edge research. To be successful in this role the applicant must possess progressive supervisory experience, a strong working knowledge of relevant ordinancesfor grants & research projects, andproven leadership skills.

Your normal hours will be Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, but you may have to flex your schedule from time to time based on the needs of the business to be a true Director of the Office of Sponsored Research and Grants. There is up to 10% travel for the role. When our team shows up for work, they are energized and motivated to succeed all while being the most crucial piece to keeping the ESU operations humming.

What Will I Do At ESU? (AKA Essential Duties)

Leadership & Strategy:

• Provide strategic directionfor and management of the Office of Sponsored Research and Grants, ensuringalignment with the institution's mission, goals, and research priorities.
  
• Serve as the primaryliaison between the institution and external funding agencies, includingfederal, state, and private sector sponsors.

Grants & Proposal Management:

• Oversee the preparation,review, and submission of grant proposals to federal, state, and privatefunding organizations ensuring compliance with sponsor guidelines,institutional policies, and federal regulations.
  
• Coordinate with principalinvestigators to ensure successful grant applications and facilitate thepreparation of research proposals that meet sponsor guidelines.

Compliance & Oversight:

• Ensureadherence to federal, state, institutional, and sponsor-specificregulations regarding research grants, contracts, and financialmanagement, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), IRB protocols, andexport control regulations.
  
• Serveas the primary point of contact for external agencies regarding sponsoredresearch compliance issues.
  

Budget & Resource Management:

• Coordinatewith appropriate offices the preparation of budgets for grant proposals, ensuringthat budgeted research expenses remain within approved parameters.
  
• Workwith departmental and central administration staff to track and report ongrant funds utilization.

Outreach & Education:

• Develop and delivereducational programs, workshops, and seminars for faculty and staff to improveknowledge and skills in securing and managing sponsored research.
  
• Stay current on trends,changes in funding agency priorities, and new research grant regulations toinform best practices.

What We're Looking For (AKA Qualifications)

• Master's degree (Ph.D. or equivalentpreferred) in a related field such as Research Administration, BusinessAdministration, or a field closely aligned with the institution’s researchpriorities.
  
• A minimum of 7-10 years ofexperience in research administration, including significant experience withgrants management, budgeting, and compliance.
  
• At least 3 years ofsupervisory experience, with a demonstrated ability to lead and manage teamseffectively.
  
• Familiarity with federalfunding agencies (e.g., NIH, NSF, DOE) and private funding sources.
• Strong understanding of thepolicies, regulations, and procedures governing sponsored research in highereducation.
  
• Proficient in grantsmanagement software, project management tools, and Microsoft Office Suite(Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
  
• Excellent communicationskills, both written and verbal, with the ability to articulate complexconcepts to diverse audiences.
  
• Exceptional organizational,problem-solving, and time management skills.
  
• Ability to workcollaboratively across departments, with faculty, administrators, and externalpartners.
  
• High level of integrity,attention to detail, and commitment to ethical standards in research andfinancial management.
• Valid Drivers License.
• Able to read, write, and comprehend English; able to follow verbal instructions.
• Experience with Word, Excel, Teams required.

What We Offer

• Outstandingbenefits package including benefits such as medical from date of hire, retirement contributions, employee wellness program, and paid leave
• Salary: Based on Experience
• Living by the Warrior Code:
  • Accountable for One's Actions
  • Committed to Self-Growth
  • Willing to Sacrifice for the Greater Good
  • Positive, Honest, and Loyal
  • Respectful of the Environment and Community
  • Dedicated to Empowering Others

Employment Eligibility & University Commitment

Must be at least 18 years old and be able to read and write English. Employment with ESU is contingent on the selected candidate passing a thorough background check that includes: FBI fingerprinting, PA Child Abuse, and employment. We are proud ESU is an equal opportunity employer. For more information on President Long's 10-point plan, click here: https://www.esu.edu/president/10-action-plan.cfm