Southern Oregon University
Position Number: A00509
Rate: $84,500 – $97,000 @ 1.0 FTE
Position Summary:
The Director of Sponsored Programs is responsible for providing services, vision and strategic direction for all stages of awards and contracts related to sponsored activities at Southern Oregon University (SOU). The Director supervises the sponsored programs team overseeing both activities and personnel, including responsibilities around workload distribution, individual performance, training, and award management and reporting. This position leads the facilitation of the identification, conceptualization, application, and management of institutional grants to further the strategic interests of the university and is responsible for ensuring award and contract activities follow all federal administrative requirements and costing principles, state regulations, grantor restrictions, and university fiscal policies. Supporting a mission driven orientation for proposals, the Director is responsible for the office’s role in proactively seeking public and private funding, communicating opportunities to faculty, staff, and administration, and partnering with them in the development and submission of proposals and grant applications. The Director oversees office performance of accurate record maintenance, reviewing and approving budgets and expense, and drives decisions and guidance for grant recipients and project administrators.
The preferred applicant will have knowledge and experience in overseeing and managing both pre-award and post-award activities along with a firm grasp of rules and regulations, technical expertise, analytical skills and an aptitude for using good judgement in applying grant management practices and procedures. The Director of Sponsored Programs models and fosters behavior that establishes a culture that values the staff/faculty partnership and is consistent with the values, goals, and objectives of the university to create an atmosphere of trust, cooperation, accountability, empowerment, and dedication to the university’s mission.
Minimum Qualifications:
3 years supervisory experience in related position
Masters degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or closely related field in which accounting or finance coursework is significant from an accredited institution. Or an equivalent mix of education and experience that demonstrates the candidate meets all competency requirements for this position.
2 years direct experience with entire life-cycle of an award process, from proposal development, submission to acceptance, administration and close-out and experience in a university grants and contracts office or a combined experience equivalent.
Knowledge of external funding sources for grants and other awards.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and ability to meet required deadlines.
Ability to work independently in team-focused manner across complex, multi-dimensional institutions and with partner organizations.
Ability to interact effectively with office stakeholders, including administrators, faculty, staff, students, governmental agencies, and other prospective funding sources.
Ability to use office software and administrative systems, including but not limited to: Microsoft Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook; web applications and the Internet.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Preferred Qualification :
Demonstrated understanding of grant-giving agencies, processes and regulations.
Experience using federal rules and regulations, general cost accounting standards and administrative rules as applied to sponsored program administration.
Experience in grant writing and management, including researching and submitting grant proposals to public and private entities; grant or contract administration, or equivalent related knowledge and experience.
Demonstrated proficiency as a facilitator to motivate, energize, persuade, and connect people, partnerships, and resources to accomplish goals.
Ability to prepare interpretive and detailed accounting reports and statements.
Experience with COGNOS report writing or similar reporting software.
Ability to understand and work with financial and payroll activity from multiple sources.
Designation of Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA) or Certified Grants Management Specialist (CGMS).
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner, both verbally and in writing.
Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism to effectively handle a broad range of sensitive interpersonal situations.
Demonstrated ability to interpret and consistently apply a wide variety of complex policies and procedures where specific guidelines may not always exist.
Ability to work with frequent changes in policies and procedures, under pressure of deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Strong analytical and research skills; ability to gather, evaluate, and to develop well-reasoned conclusions and recommendations.
Ability to proactively assess work operations and anticipate potential problems; ability to develop and implement strategies for preventing/resolving problems.
Ability to effectively perform work of a highly sensitive and confidential nature that requires access to information. Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion, tact, and diplomacy.
Initiative in independently planning, organizing, and performing work assignments within broadly defined parameters.
Ability to work with a high level of productivity and accuracy/attention to detail.
Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
Excellent computer skills and proficiency with a variety of computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, online systems, social media platforms, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.
Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in and outside the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
Ability to adapt to and work effectively in a heavily bureaucratic environment which requires regular interaction with a number of levels within the organization and multiple outside agencies.
Working knowledge, or ability to quickly learn, university infrastructure, policies and procedures.
Provides training and direction to student assistants.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Each applicant is required to provide (as attachments to the online application) the following supplemental documents: (1) letter providing some detail of the applicants qualifications and interest in the position; (2) current resume/CV; and (3) the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references. If you are unable to attach the supplemental materials to the online application please contact Human Resources.
For inquiries and additional information, please contact: Human Resource Services via email at hrs@sou.edu or by phone at (541)552-8553.
To view SOUs offers very generous benefits and pension programs available to eligible positions, please visit: https://inside.sou.edu/assets/hrs/Benefits/2021_Employee_Benefits_Overview.pdf
Our benefits package is an important complement to the offered salary and our Total Compensation Calculator, https://inside.sou.edu/hrs/comp-calc.html , demonstrates our value and commitment to our employee.
Special Conditions
Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.
Must be able to work additional hours and adjust working hours to meet special jobs. May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis.
Must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment background check.
Under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA):
- Position classification defined as “exempt” are not subject overtime
The person holding this position is considered a “mandated reporter” under the Oregon Revised Statues and is required to comply with the requirements set forth by the Oregon department of Human Services.
Notice to Prospective Employees
Section 485 of the Higher Education Act, and The Federal Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 (now referred to as the “Clery Act”),requires that prospective employees be notified of the availability of SOUs Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The report provides the annual statistics and campus policies for the reporting of and responding to campus crimes and fires; access to campus facilities; conduct code and campus policies on use, possession and sale of drugs/alcohol; and educational/information programs to inform the campus community about campus security procedures and crime prevention.
An electronic copy of the Annual Security Report (ASR)can be accessed at the following link:
https://inside.sou.edu/assets/security/AnnualCrimeReportFinal.pdf. A physical copy of the ASR is available at no charge upon request. To request a copy please visit the Campus Public Safety Office at 382 Wightman Street, Ashland OR 97520. For more information call 541-552-6258, or email clerycoordinator@sou.edu.
All applicants must apply online at https://jobs.sou.edu/postings/11750 .
Diversity Statement
Southern Oregon University is a welcoming community committed to inclusive excellence and the celebration of diversity. Without diversity, our educational process is diminished. Working together in support of our commitment to diversity, we strengthen and enrich our role as learners, educators and members of a tightly connected global community. We encourage those who share in our commitment to diversity, to join our community and we expect all our employees to demonstrate an ability and desire to create an inclusive campus community.
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