LocationStatesboro Campus - Statesboro, GA
OR
Armstrong Campus - Savannah, GA
Department InformationOffice of Research
Job SummaryThe 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 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 DateOpen Until Filled
Application review may begin on October 28, 2026. Contact InformationFor more information or questions about a job posting, please contact the Department of Human Resources by phone at (912) 478-6947 or by email at hrservice@georgiasouthern.edu .
For technical support, please call the USG Service Desk at (877) 251.2644, or email support@usg.edu .
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
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