"Sponsored Programs Officer I, II, or III"

Sponsored Programs Officer I, II, or III

Benefits of Working at UNCW: Want to become a soaring UNCW Seahawk and work at one of the best universities on the East Coast? Want to put your toes in the sand after a day of work? The University of North Carolina Wilmington offers a wonderfully vibrant university community along with a beautiful location just miles from the beach. Employees of UNCW are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other programs, resources, policies, and practices that help to support a work/life balance. Our programs have been designed to provide a variety of choices to best fit your needs and the needs of your family. Full time employees are eligible for dental, vision and health insurance plans. Health insurance benefit plans eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available. Full time employees are also eligible for the tuition waiver program which covers the cost of tuition and fees for up to three (3) undergraduate or graduate courses per academic year at UNCW or any other university within the UNC System. In addition, UNCW covers the cost of tuition and fees for one UNCW course each summer session. As a full time employee, UNCW also offers a free membership to the Campus Recreation Center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, meditation and yoga sessions, voluntary supplemental insurance coverages, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays, 24 hours of paid community service leave time, paid vacation and sick leave accrual and family medical leave after 12 months of continuous service. We also offer an abundance of training and development programs through our Dare to Learn Academy, and the employee assistance program, many of which are offered free of charge.

Recruitment Range: Determined based on qualifications and/or experience.
Vacancy Number: E1491
Competency Level:
Location of Workplace: Main UNCW Campus
Home Department: Sponsored Programs & Research Compliance - 31110
Division: Academic Affairs - 30 Division

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:
The Sponsored Programs and Research Compliance (SPARC) office is committed to providing efficient and effective service to the faculty and staff throughout the university in support of their sponsored research and scholarship activities. Charged with oversight of externally sponsored programs, SPARC provides complete cradle-to-grave sponsored program administration and support to ensure faculty have the resources and encouragement necessary to successfully and legally conduct their programs including: a) support in identifying funding sources, b) assisting faculty with proposal and budget development, c) monitoring/overseeing the responsible management of sponsored projects, d) ensuring university compliance with contract/grant fiscal and regulatory requirements, and e) protecting the university from unrecovered revenue, disallowed costs, and non-compliance with state and federal policies pertaining to sponsored programs. SPARC also administers internal grant programs and the return of F&A to departments. SPARC remains centralized for compliance and reporting purposes but is often decentralized in service delivery to the university research enterprise.

We seek critical-thinking and conscientious professionals to join the SPARC team. We are committed to building a cultural community dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment and making UNCW an exceptional place for our team, partners, and collaborators to flourish. Come grow with us!

Brief Summary of Work for this Position:
The UNCW Sponsored Programs and Research Compliance (SPARC) unit is seeking qualified Sponsored Program Officers to join our team. Working independently, this position ensures proposal are compliant with university regulations and laws and assists in providing proposal and budget development and submission support.

The Sponsored Programs Officer reports directly to the SPARC Pre Award Manager and supports the SPARC Team in the achievement of strategic initiatives to further the growth and development of the unit as a whole.

Under general direction from SPARC Leadership, this position acts as liaison among Principal Investigators (PIs), university administrative units, sponsors, and department/chair and college/dean and the SPARC Team and is expected to deliver high-quality, customer-focus sponsored programs services, interacting with faculty and administrative staff to facilitate proposal and budget development, preparation, and submission, and serves as a single point of contact for their assigned portfolio. The role is critical in interpreting both agency and university requirements and policies/practices of the university and requires problem-solving skills in a deadline-driven environment as well as the consistent exercise of independent judgement and discretion in matters of significance.

Responsibilities include:

• Proposal Development and Submission Support
• Policy, Compliance and Expert Consultation
• Training, Education, and Outreach
• Strategic Engagement and Relationship Building

Note: This position is an in-person role on the UNCW main campus. After a preliminary probation period, the individual may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement aligned with the University policy.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:
Requires a bachelor's degree or alternative or equivalent professional training and experiences which may be substituted for the baccalaureate degree.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• Post-baccalaureate credentials (e.g., master's degree or higher)
• Prior experience in budgeting, research administration or higher education
• Capacity to function purposefully and efficiently in deadline-driven situations.
• Regularly exercise sound judgement and problem-solving skills.
• Interact effectively with a diverse group of professional backgrounds and personalities.
• Maintain a flexible, collaborative, and positive work environment at all times.
• Understand and follow rules, policies, and procedures.
• Proficient computer and technology interface skills.
• Able to follow directions from supervisor, work productively, and stay engaged with a minimum amount of oversight.
• Open to providing as well as receiving constructive criticism and feedback.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Required Certifications or Licensures: None.

FTE: 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week)
Months Per Year: 12 Months
Type of Position: Permanent
Position Number: 2014
Job Posting Date: 02/17/2026
Posting Close Date: 3/15/2026
Number of Openings: Single Incumbent

Special Notes to Applicants:
PLEASE NOTE: This posting will close at 11:59PM (Eastern time) on the posted closing date. To receive full consideration, please be sure you have fully completed the entire application, including the Work History' section before you apply for this position. Applications must be submitted through the online application system to be considered.

To apply, visit https://jobs.uncw.edu/postings/38614