Sponsored Programs Specialist (Post-Award)

Sponsored Programs Specialist (Post-Award)

Salary

$65,545.20 - $75,376.98 Annually

Location

Governors State University, IL

Job Type

Professional/Civil Service Status

Job Number

CS2026000008

Division

Provost

Department

Office, Sponsored Prog & Rsrch

Opening Date

08/21/2026

Closing Date

8/31/2026 11:59 PM Central

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

0

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Governors State University is seeking to hire a Sponsored Programs Post-Award Specialist who will work with the Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research to provide guidance and support for the management of externally sponsored grants, contracts, and agreements as a post-award facilitator at Governors State University. The objective of this role is to serve as the primary contact for post-award sponsored programs support, including general ledger (GL) accounting, regulatory reporting adherence, invoice development and receipt, and assisting the Director of OSPR in receiving sponsored programs responses as needed. This position is responsible for developing, updating, and implementing internal procedures, practices, and systems to ensure compliant, efficient workflows for GL account tracking, expense allocation to accounts, and agency reporting activities. Additionally, this position assists with complex data reports for submission to university administration, faculty, and funding agencies. This position provides leadership in implementing grant management and accounting software, tools, and electronic records. This position interacts with various administration officials, deans, chairs, faculty, and sponsors and reports to the Director of OSPR.

Essential Responsibilities

35% Receipt of sponsored programs proposals, contracts, and/or agreements to create GL accounts for grant-related expenditures and monitoring reconciliations.

• Interpreting guidelines and regulations adherence and compliance, budget development, non-technical report writing, financial forms completions, and account closings on behalf of the University with funding entities.

20% Ensure that OSPR files and records are maintained in accordance with regulatory requirements, legal requirements, and University policies & procedures.

• Understand, coordinate, and prepare reports for submission to various agencies, organizations, and institutions, as well as principal investigators.
• Collect data for various reports and in some cases submit reports on behalf of the Director of OSPR and the University.
• Understand and apply University policies and sponsor guidelines to protect the University, faculty, and staff from liability and minimize risk.
• Coordinate with Financial Services staff to provide timely information and coordinate and project administration issues.
• Coordinate with marketing and communications when reports require being publicly available.
• Oversee maintenance of electronic records ensure accuracy between submission and reporting systems.

10% Review internal and external budgets to ensure accuracy, including the appropriateness of salary amounts, fringe benefits, and indirect cost rates, and to ensure that actual expenditures are charged properly and in accordance with approved budgets.

10% Develop, update, and implement internal procedures, policies, systems, forms, OSPR-affiliated website content, OSPR-affiliated SOPs, and the Principal Investigator Handbook.

10% Report to the Director of OSPR regarding the contracting, fiscal, personnel and programmatic status of all Grants, and assist the Director of OSPR to resolve issues as needed. Provide support for interpretation of regulations and reporting requirements.

5% Monitor sponsored programs' documents and accounts and serve as an administrative contact for sponsors of active awards.

5% Facilitate the set-up of new accounts with a Principal Investigator (Pl), their research team, Financial Services, and/or an OSPR Financial Research Administrator.

5% Maintain pre-award files in a systematic and standard format in line with OSPR file management guidance.

Required and Preferred Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelors degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Operations, or related field.
• Three (3) years of directly related professional experience in sponsored programs administration in a university, research foundation, or industry setting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Outlook, Adobe products.
• One (1) year professional experience with federal, state, and industry grant management systems and computerized accounting systems.
• Working knowledge of Uniform Guidance 2CFR200.

Desired Education and Experience:

• Five (5) years of progressive work experience in higher education grants administration.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel with advanced skills including extensive work with

large data sets and the ability to create Microsoft Excel reports that are dynamic, intuitive, and

easily interpretable for a range of user types.

• Experienced knowledge of Colleague university accounting and data systems.
• Aptitude for databases, data retrieval, analysis and reporting with experience extracting and

standardizing inconsistent data from disparate data sources and identifying potential cause-effect

relationships.

• Effective project management, time management, and positive interpersonal skills. Ability to

work collaboratively, build effective working relationships, work effectively with University

leadership and faculty.

• Working knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) recognition.

Salary Range: $65,545.20 - $75,376.98.

Full-Time position Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

This position qualifies for an expansive suite of fringe benefits including, various insurance options, paid time off, retirement and investment options, and tuition waivers. Visit: https://www.govst.edu/benefits/.

Supplemental Information

For consideration, applicants are required to attach the following:

1: All College/University Transcripts.

2: Online Application - Must be fully completed, include all dates of employment, employment status (full-time or if part-time, include percentages), job duties and responsibilities (full details).

3: Cover Letter.

4: Resume.

5: A list of three Professional References (We will only contact your references if you are a finalist).

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT:

Illinois residency is required within 180 days of the hire date.

CREDENTIAL ASSESSMENT EXAM DETAILS:

This vacancy involves a Credential Assessment Examination, which consists of a review and rating of the applicants Education, Experience, Licenses, and other qualifications. Applicants are required to provide electronic documentation as listed above to verify that the minimum qualifications for this position have been met.

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE POINTS:

Veterans may be eligible to receive additional points on a passing final examination score. To determine eligibility, submit one of the following documents to the Department of Human Resources:

1: Department of Defense - DD214 / DD215

2: National Guard - NGB22 Form

3: Discharge Orders

4: Reserves - DD256 Discharge Certificate

Note: Documentation must be received by the closing date of this posting.

This position qualifies for an expansive suite of fringe benefits including, various insurance options, paid time off, retirement and investment options, and tuition waivers. Visit: https://www.govst.edu/benefits/.

01

How did you hear about this job opportunity?

02

Are you a resident of the State of Illinois?

• Yes
• No

03

Have you attached a copy of your college/university transcript to have your college credits considered for meeting the minimum qualifications?

• Yes
• No

04

Veterans may be eligible to receive additional points on a passing final examination score. To determine eligibility, submit one of the following documents: 1: Department of Defense - DD214 / DD215 2: National Guard - NGB22 Form 3: Discharge Orders 4: Reserves - DD256 Discharge Certificate

05

Do you have a Bachelors degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Operations, or a related field?

• Yes
• No

06

List your conferred degree and date.

07

Do you have three (3) years of directly related professional experience in sponsored programs?

• Yes
• No

08

List the job(s) and time period that you worked where you gained experience in sponsored programs administration in a university, research foundation, or industry setting.

09

Do you have one (1) year of professional experience with federal, state, and industry grant management systems and computerized accounting systems?

• Yes
• No

10

List the job(s) where you have at least one (1) year of professional experience with federal, state, and industry grant management systems and computerized accounting systems.

11

Do you have working knowledge of Uniform Guidance 2CFR200?

12

List the job(s) where you gained working knowledge of Uniform Guidance 2CFR200.

13

Have you completed the entire application including beginning and end dates of employment, full time/part time status, percentages, and full details of work performed?

• Yes
• No

14

The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. The information you provide will be verified and documentation may be required. Please be as honest and accurate as possible. You may be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a work sample or during an interview. By completing this supplemental questionnaire you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any misstatements, omissions, or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or result in dismissal.

• Yes, I understand and agree
• No, I do not agree

Required Question

Employer Governors State University (IL)

Address 1 University Pkwy

University Park, Illinois, 60484

Phone 708-534-5000

Website https://www.govst.edu/