Director of Sponsored Programs

one of the most dynamic public universities in the Southeast. Founded in 1906, Georgia Southern has grown from a single-purpose college into a Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution with 149 degree programs at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels, serving 31,600 students from all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and more than 100 nations. Four distinct campuses extend Georgia Southern's reach across the region: a 900-acre quintessential college campus in Statesboro, anchored by Georgian-style red-brick buildings set among oaks and pines; the Armstrong Campus in Savannah, minutes from historic downtown and a short drive from the beaches of Tybee Island; a modern, purpose-built facility in Hinesville serving local and military-affiliated students; and the East Georgia Campus in Swainsboro, an outdoor oasis nestled on a 385-acre pine forest, offering expanded pathways to higher education for students across southeast Georgia. Through ten colleges, the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing, the College of Arts and Humanities, the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, the College of Education, the College of Science and Mathematics, the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies, the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, the Parker College of Business, the Waters College of Health Professions and University College, Georgia Southern delivers academic programs backed by real-world experience, research with regional and national impact, and a faculty committed to helping every student go further than they thought possible. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and holding specialized accreditation across its professional programs, Georgia Southern prepares graduates who are ready to lead, contribute and soar beyond, in Georgia, across the nation and around the world. For more information, visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu . Location Statesboro Campus - Statesboro, GA OR Armstrong Campus - Savannah, GA Department Information Office of Research Job Summary The Director of Sponsored Programs leads Research Services by supervising and developing staff, coordinating workloads, and ensuring effective, compliant sponsored programs administration. The Director combines research administration experience with demonstrated leadership, strong organizational skills, and the ability to communicate and collaborate across faculty, academic units, and administrative offices. Working with technical specialists and campus partners, the Director establishes clear priorities, implements process improvements, and strengthens services supporting proposals and award administration. As Georgia Southern advances toward Carnegie R1 classification, the Director helps develop the staff, systems, and practices needed to support a growing research portfolio. The position reports to the Vice President of Research. Employment is contingent upon funding. Responsibilities Lead, supervise, and develop Sponsored Programs staff by setting expectations, balancing workloads, providing coaching, and supporting professional growth Oversee proposal review processes, quality assurance standards, and escalation procedures to ensure accurate, compliant, and timely submissions Coordinate staff training and professional development in partnership with research administrators, campus specialists, and external resources Improve guidance, templates, training materials, and educational resources based on recurring issues, feedback, and service needs Lead continuous improvement of sponsored programs systems, processes, and services, establishing priorities, implementation plans, and performance measures Collaborate with faculty, sponsors, and campus partners to resolve proposal and award issues, communicate requirements, and provide guidance on policies and regulatory changes Serve as the University's liaison to sponsors and coordinate with research compliance, legal, and administrative offices to address proposal, award, and compliance matters Support research growth by coordinating staff and technical resources for complex proposals, faculty outreach, proposal development, budget review, and submission activities Ensure compliance with federal, state, sponsor, University System of Georgia, and institutional requirements governing sponsored programs and research administration Oversee research administration systems, reporting, and data integrity to support effective operations, audit readiness, and the University's strategic goal of expanding its research portfolio and achieving Carnegie R1 status Required Qualifications Educational Requirements Bachelor's Degree Other Required Qualifications Certified Research Administrator (CRA) Required Experience Five (5) or more years of relevant sponsored programs or research administration experience, including proposal administration, budget development or review, and application of sponsor requirements Evidence of progressively increasing leadership responsibility, with a demonstrated ability to recruit, develop, and retain talented teams; cultivate a culture of trust, accountability, and shared purpose; and mentor emerging leaders Exceptional communication, time management, and workflow optimization skills Working knowledge of federal sponsored programs requirements, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), and experience applying sponsor and institutional policies Experience reviewing or administering sponsored agreements and coordinating the resolution of proposal or award issues Experience with electronic proposal submission portals (e.g., Grants.gov, Research.gov, NSPIRES) Preferred Qualifications Preferred Educational Qualifications Master's Degree Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA) preferred Preferred Experience Three (3) or more years experience working as a university research administrator Proficiency with Kuali Research (KR) software system management, or comparable electronic research administration platforms such as Cayuse or InfoEd Broad knowledge and experience working with diverse funding agencies and sponsors Experience supporting an institution pursuing or maintaining Carnegie R1 ("very high research activity") classification Proposed Salary $95,000 - $115,000 This is an exempt position paid on a monthly basis. Required Documents to Attach Resume Cover Letter Two (2) Professional References Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities ABILITIES Consistently exhibit engaging customer service Ability to support various constituencies served by the University Proven proficiency with computers including Microsoft Office, Google, and/or applications as required for specific position KNOWLEDGE Adhere to University policies and procedures to meet Institutional goals and support University's mission for student success SKILLS Proven proficiency with computers including Microsoft Office, Google, and/or applications as required for specific position Clear and effective communications skills to address dynamic audiences and stakeholders Consistent commitment to providing a high-level of customer service Engage in a digital workspace with or without reasonable accommodation Willingness to develop proficiency in new technologies Advanced organizational skills and an aptitude for managing multiple administrative tasks Apply Before Date Open Until Filled Application review may begin on October 28, 2026. Contact Information For more information or questions about a job posting, please contact the Department of Human Resources by phone at (912) 478-6947 or by email hrservice@georgiasouthern.edu . For technical support, please call the USG Service Desk at (877) 251.2644, or email support@usg.edu . USG Core Values The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/ . Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653 . Conditions of Employment Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with Georgia Southern University, as determined by Georgia Southern University in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test. Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, to the statutes, rules and regulations of this institution and to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request. Legally authorized to work in the United States for the duration of employment without assistance from the University. Must be able to perform duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation. Georgia Southern University is a Tobacco and Smoke-Free Community. Employment is contingent upon funding. Equal Employment Opportunity Georgia Southern University provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, or disability. Individuals in need of reasonable accommodations under the America with Disabilities Act to participate in the search process should notify Human Resources: (912) 478-6947. Other Information Must be able to perform duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation Work generally performed in an office environment Workweek may occasionally extend beyond 40 hours Travel may be required Working with high-stress situations Background Check Standard + Education