"Director of Contracts & Grants - Davis, CA, Job ID 81620"

The Director of Contracts and Grants provides strategic and operational leadership for UC ANR's sponsored research administration, overseeing all aspects of contract and grant proposal development, submission, negotiation, compliance, and award acceptance. This position is responsible for ensuring UC ANR's sponsored projects are administered with integrity, accountability, and efficiency, while aligning with UC policies, state and federal regulations, and sponsor requirements. The Director fosters a collaborative culture, supports faculty and staff in securing extramural funding, and strengthens UC ANR's ability to deliver on its land-grant mission across California.

This position is a career appointment that is 100% fixed.

The home department for this position is Contracts and Grants Office. While this position normally is based in Davis, CA, this position is eligible for hybrid flexible work arrangements for applicants living in the State of California at this time. Please note that hybrid flexible work arrangements are subject to change by the University.

Pay Scale: $114,300/year to $167,600/year

Job Posting Close Date:
This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 10/21/2025.

Key Responsibilities:

40%
Operational Oversight

• Direct the pre-award lifecycle of sponsored projects, including proposal review, terms and conditions, award negotiation, and contract execution.
• Approves terms for acceptance.
• Ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance in the administration of federal, state, local, and private sponsor awards.
• Oversee export control, foreign engagement audits, COI disclosures, and research security program implementation.
• Manage workflow and staff resources to support high service levels across the statewide ANR system.

20%
Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement a strategic vision for contracts and grants administration that aligns with UC ANR's mission and goals.
• Serve as the organization's subject matter expert for policies, regulations, and best practices in sponsored research.
• Partner with UCOP, UC campuses, government agencies, and industry to advance research administration practices.
• Anticipate emerging issues in compliance, research security, and sponsor requirements; lead proactive policy and process adaptations.

15%
Organizational & People Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of professional staff engaged in contracts and grants administration.
• Foster an inclusive and collaborative work environment that reflects UC ANR's Principles of Community and DEI commitments.
• Establish performance expectations, provide coaching and professional development, and conduct evaluations.
• Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, and retention for the Contracts and Grants Office.

15%
Training, Process Improvement, and Outreach

• Develop and deliver training programs for academics, staff, and administrators on sponsored projects policies, systems, and compliance.
• Champion implementation and continuous improvement of systems and tools.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, metrics, templates, and accountability measures to ensure transparency and efficiency.
• Conduct regular assessments of operations to identify areas for improvement and implement best practices.
• Represent UC ANR in systemwide, state, and national research administration forums and committees.

10%
Strategic Initiatives

• Support initiatives and workgroups, as well as other activities, that support the goals of UC ANR and of the AVP of Finance and Capital Planning.

Requirements:

• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in sponsored research administration, with emphasis on pre-award functions.
• Thorough knowledge of finance, accounting, business and systems operations and regulatory compliance requirements related to administration of contracts and grants.
• Strong knowledge of industry best practices. Advanced ability to implement and manage broad-based grant funding best practices and procedures.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively across the organization at all levels.
• Demonstrated service orientation, strong management skills, leadership skills, sound judgment and decision-making, critical thinking, and creative problem solving in a complex, decentralized environment.
• Strong skills using common desktop / web applications; understanding of research enterprise databases.
• Strong and effective verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Advanced ability to develop grant writing skills / development programs.
• Experience in a land-grant or higher education environment.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or equivalent professional certification.