Academic Affairs, Academic Research, Accounting, Administrative Skills, Budgeting, Communication Skills, Community Development, Economic Development, Educational Administration, Employee Assistance Plan, Establish Priorities, Faculty Administration, Federal Government, Federal Laws and Regulations, Financial Administration, Financial Reporting, Fitness, Funding, General Ledger Accounting, Government, Government Contracts, Grant Administration/Management, Grant Awards, Grant Writing, Higher Education, Interpersonal Skills, Investment Strategy, Leadership, Maintain Compliance, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Windows Operating System, Microsoft Word, Multitasking, Nonprofit, People Management, Plan Meetings, Policy Development, Private Funding, Progress Reports, Project Development, Project/Program Management, Proposal Development, Proposal Writing, Regulations, Reporting Skills, Research Grants, Research Skills, Retirement Plan, Scholarship, Software Development, Strategic Planning, Team Player, Time Management, Tuition Fees, University/School Policies, Vision Plan
Posting Details
Position Information
Posting Number S000966 Position Title Director of Sponsored Research and Programs Department Academic Affairs Division Academic Affairs Supervisor Title Provost Status Full Time Regular Salary Range $75,000-$85,000 Position Summary
The Director of Sponsored Research and Programs is responsible for expanding the portfolio of external grants that supports the College's academic programs, research enterprise, and creative projects by providing assistance with proposal development for faculty across all academic departments. This position will oversee the complete lifecycle of academic and research grants, including operations of both pre-award and post-award, non-financial administration. The Director of Sponsored Research and Programs is also responsible for maintaining and updating institutional policies and procedures to ensure compliance with public and private funding agencies. The position cultivates collaborative relationships with faculty, administrators, and other key campus staff to stay informed of current programmatic activities, scholarly and creative interests, and upcoming initiatives, and then matches such institutional activities and priorities with potential funding opportunities.
Description of Key Responsibilities
- Identify and recommend grant opportunities that align with the College's strategic plan and work with the Provost and Deans to identify faculty who could potentially serve as PIs.
- Continue developing a culture of grant seeking among faculty and make recommendations for strategic investments that build capacity to support faculty scholarship and creative work.
- Work with the Center for the Advancement of Faculty Excellence (CAFE) to advance the mission of supporting faculty scholarship by developing and facilitating professional development opportunities on the topics of proposal writing and grants management.
- Provide guidance to PIs on proposal development strategies including the facilitation of outreach to program officers at granting organizations.
- Coordinate organizational meetings with PIs to discuss funder guidelines, generate ideas, assist with concept development of programs/projects, and ensure compliance with institutional policies.
- Provide support on the development of grant applications including but not limited to editing sections of the proposal, helping to prepare budgets and budget narratives, and compiling additional documentation required for submission.
- Review and edit all grant proposals for clarity, conformance with funding program priorities, and route through the appropriate channels for approval to submit.
- Serve as the designated Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) responsible for uploading application documents to granting agency portals and submitting completed applications.
- Facilitate grant award kick-off meetings with the Grants Accountant, PIs, and other relevant College stakeholders to ensure all parties understand their role in award management.
- Work with the Business Office in setup of new awards including the creation of general ledger accounts for each grant based on approved budget and distribution of indirect cost recoveries per the College's policy.
- Review grant agreements and subawards and, if required, route to College leadership for their review and signature.
- Monitor grant report deadlines, review and edit progress reports for PIs, work with the Grants Accountant to produce financial reports, and coordinate timely submission with PIs.
- Maintain and update institutional policies and procedures of grant management (e.g., time and effort certification, financial conflict of interest, responsible conduct of research, allowable costs) in collaboration with the Business Office and other campus stakeholders and in compliance with funding agencies and federal regulations (i.e., Uniform Guidance).
- Develop and maintain a resources webpage for the Office of Sponsored Research & Programs on The Hub that includes relevant institutional procedures and policies for grant seekers.
- Track and report progress to goals on proposal submissions and awards secured.
- Serve as an ex-officio member of the Faculty Development & Recognition Committee.
- Other duties as appropriately assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Demonstrated interpersonal and team skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships with diverse college and external communities.
- Excellent communication skills, including writing, listening and presentation.
- This position requires independent judgment and decision making and ability to work well independently, as well as in a team environment.
- Must be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, effectively manage time and undertake long-term projects.
- Extensive knowledge and experience with Windows, Excel, Word and PowerPoint software.
- Related professional experience with proven track record of securing external funds, and successful experience in sponsored programs administration and other related higher education experience.
- Contract and grant solicitation and administration with knowledge of potential individual, private, institutional and governmental sources of contract and grant opportunities for a historic, private liberal arts college.
- Knowledge of community sustainability issues and the role of the College in addressing the educational and economic development needs of the community.
- An understanding of the political, economic and community development issues facing small private colleges nationally and Illinois higher education in particular.
- Demonstrated commitment to the employment and development of an ethnically and culturally diverse staff.
Distinguishing Characteristics
An individual in this position must possess the proficiency, wherewithal and knowledge of principles and processes for providing high‐quality service to both internal and external constituents of the College. More specifically, this position will help build capacity and infrastructure for meeting the sponsored research and project needs of the faculty and the institution.
Education/Training
Bachelor's degree required; master's degree or higher is preferred
Experience
A total of at least 5-7 years of experience within the following areas:
- Experience in a grants office or and office of sponsored research/programs in higher education or non-profit institution.
- Administrative experience in higher education.
- Expertise in government and private sector funding opportunities in support of higher education and research; expertise in federal, state, local and institutional regulations and policies governing administration of higher education research programs, grants and contracts required.
Licenses or Certifications Is This a Temporary Position? No Employment Conditions
An offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of the College's background screening process.
Number of Vacancies 1
Posting Detail Information
EEO Statement
North Central College is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce. NCC provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please notify the Office of Human Resources. Determinations for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Additional Information
The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the candidate's experience, qualifications, and training.
North Central College provides a comprehensive benefits package, which includes:
- All-inclusive medical, dental and vision group insurance
- Health and dependent care savings plans
- Employer-paid life, AD&D and disability group insurance
- 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions
- Employee assistance plan resources
- Tuition waiver for full-time employees, spouse and dependent children
- Generous paid time off plans, including 3 weeks vacation to start
- 15 paid holidays per year, including 5 days during NCC Winter Break
- Free access to campus health center, fitness and athletic facilities, and library
Posting Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- Are you authorized to work in the US?
YES
NO
- Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for work authorization?
YES
NO
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter/Letter of Interest
Optional Documents