"Director, Office of Sponsored Programs and Research"

Governors State University invites qualified candidates to apply for consideration to fill the position of Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research (OSPR). The Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research (OSPR) is responsible for the development and operation of the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research, which includes pre and post award functions, the Institutional Review Board (IRB), the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and other compliance related functions. The Director leads the development of strategies to improve and expand grant opportunities at GovState, improve the compliance environment, and streamline post-award functions, as well as the campus, regional, and national profile of GovState and OSPR. The Director is responsible for several key functions that impact OSPR and GovState, including education among the GovState community about grant opportunities and management; development of relevant training regarding research proposal development, monitoring, and reporting, as well as training concerning IRB proposal development and ethical treatment of human subjects; lead post award management of grants, assistance with compliance audits, development of manual and automated proposal and report tracking systems; and development of routine and periodic reports. The Director will lead the development of institutional grant initiatives, build teams across colleges, and work closely with Deans to expand faculty grant involvement.

Essential Responsibilities

• 20% Compliance: Authorized University Official (AO) who is delegated authority to sign on behalf of the President regarding grant areas including proposals, awards, reports, etc. Has signatory authority from the President for grant agreements, applications, reports, subs, and proposals associated with university grants. Collaborate with the Institutional Review Board to oversee processing of protocols and that websites are maintained. Director effectively communicates to others knowledge about granting agency requirements, maintain eligibility for grant proposals, maximize opportunity for successful grant submission, to accept and manage grants, and to report appropriate financial and other data. Ensure that IRB training has been completed by members of the board and that appointments are kept up to date. Submit reports on behalf of the University (i.e., FFATA) Research Integrity Officer (RIO). Act as a primary point of contact for external and internal auditors. Collaborate with the Office of Financial Services for the management of negotiation of agreements approaching rate expiration. Responsible for working with Financial Services and principal investigators to ensure that reports are submitted by deadlines. Prepare risk assessments and prepare documentation for subawards. Collaborate with Financial Services to ensure invoices for subs are paid and all documentation that would be required for audit has been obtained. Responsible for keeping System for Award Management (SAM) registration and Federal Wide Assurances (FWA) up to date. Ensuring that OSPR complies with 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance) and all other state and federal regulations. Responsible for all grant submission systems and ensuring passwords and users are kept up to date. Work with Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee to assist with getting procedures and processes set-up. Ensure that IACUC training has been completed by members of the committee and that appointments are kept up to date.
• 20% Problem Solving and Information Resource: Provide accurate advice and suggestions for both financial and administrative issues. Provide possible solutions to problems that arise in sponsored programs administration. Coordinate with other units in the University to find mutually advantageous solutions. Provide advice and find resources to assist Institutional Review Board and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.
• 15% Management and Supervision: Direct and supervise OSPR staff including hiring, training, and performance evaluation. Assign staff responsibilities and workload. Promote a collaborative work environment and foster standards of service that positively contributes to the culture of the unit and university.
• 15% Policies: Develop and implement policies and procedures relevant to effective OSPR services and ensure compliance with new/changing requirements. Work closely with other campus units to review policies and procedures and influence buy-in. Obtain approval (if needed) for new or revised policies and procedures. Represent GovState at the Federal Demonstration Partnership - a group of federal agencies and universities that meet to discuss how to make processes more efficient and effective.
• 10% Proposal preparation including budget preparation and submission of proposals for state, federal, and other agencies including foundation and corporate grants: Review and understand program announcements or solicitations for new funding opportunities. Work collaboratively with Institutional Research to develop and maintain “boilerplate” information about GovState used for grant submissions. Understand and apply terms, conditions, and sponsor guidelines. Understand budgetary concerns and apply them during budget preparation and review process. Perform timely review of proposals and applications for accuracy and completeness. Submit proposals on behalf of the University as an authorized official by the President.
• 10% Identify appropriate and relevant training topics for faculty, administrators, staff, and students: Identify quality internal and external trainers or technical assistance providers. Create training for faculty, staff, and students to meet a need or demand on research administration topics. Provide and offer effective training to faculty, administrators, staff, and students in formal and informal settings.
• 5% Create and maintain electronic records and determine which reports would be helpful: Create, maintain, and update electronic records (iWEBI). Determine reports needed and which reports would be beneficial from electronic records. Design, compose, and submit the OSPR annual report for administrative approval and internal printing through MarComm.
• 5% Other duties as assigned: Represent Governors State University to professional organizations and affinity groups related to OSPR.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Requires interfacing with multiple administrators, faculty, support staff, faculty committees, and any groups or activities related to teaching methodologies, undergraduate and graduate student learning, and assessment of student learning. Knowledge of uniform guidance 2CFR200. Knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Broad knowledge of policies and regulations governing federal funding and accompanying compliance issues. Demonstrates knowledge and good judgment in matters of university policy and procedures. Knowledge of principles of grantsmanship/sub-award management and sponsor proposal and award policies and procedures. Demonstrated ability to comply with university, state, and federal guidelines tied to externally funded research. Sound fiscal and time management skills. Strong budgetary management skills. Attention to detail. Excellent computer skills, particularly in Microsoft Word and Excel, and skilled in using databases and electronic systems. Exceptional management expertise with grants and other sponsored projects funding. Strong skills in distilling complex compliance issues so that they are understandable to the lay audience. Proficiency in analytical skills. Effective verbal and written communication skills are needed to interaction with customers and provide training. Demonstrated ability in submitting proposals using NIH ASSIST, NSF Research.gov, Grants.gov, and ability to learn and use other electronic systems. Ability, especially under pressure, to be professional, courteous, and tactful in dealing with investigators, administrative staff, and funding agency contacts. Ability to establish clear priorities and multi-task and be responsive to externally generated deadlines.

Supervisory Responsibility: The Director supervises OSPR staff including hiring, training, performance evaluation, and promotes a collaborative work environment that fosters and positively contributes to the culture of the unit and university.

Required and Preferred Qualifications: Required Education and Experience: Master’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, economics or a field related to the position. Five (5) years of experience in higher education grants/research administration with at least two (2) years of supervising OSPR professional staff. Experience using electronic grant and/or research administrative systems. Certified Research Administrator (CRA). Desired Education and Experience: Advanced proficiency with Excel for financial research administration and management. Experience with Colleague or Banner. Experience in complex projects management. Experience with WEBI (or Business Objects). Familiarity with Illinois-based retirement systems (e.g., SURS).

Please attach the following to your application: Letter of interest, resume or CV, Transcripts. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until this position is filled. For priority consideration, please submit your complete application by September 22, 2025.