Director, Office of Sponsored Projects

Scheduled hours per week: 40 Scheduled months per year: 12 Remote work eligibility: Onsite only #### Position purpose The **Director, Office of Sponsored Projects** is the senior authorized official for all pre- and post-award administration of externally funded research. The **Director** leads the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) and assists the Dartmouth research community in securing and ensuring appropriate stewardship of government and private funding. The **Director** establishes the office’s mission and ensures that the actions and activities of OSP staff align with and support that mission. #### Key accountabilities **Strategic Leadership, Workflow & Technology -** - Serves as senior staff to the Vice Provost for Research, advising on sponsored-project activities and related policy development. - Partners with school leadership, central offices, and senior administration to shape research policy and administration. - Leads improvements to workflows, business processes, policies, and systems to reduce redundancy, increase efficiency, and strengthen service quality. - Partners with Information Technology & Consulting (ITC) to identify and prioritize technology enhancements that improve the functionality of research administration systems. - Represents Dartmouth at professional associations (e.g., Ivy+, COGR, NORDP, FDP). - Monitors and interprets applicable federal, state, and institutional requirements, in collaboration with the Research Integrity and Security Director, including research security, export control, and sponsor data security requirements. - Collaborates with the Office of General Counsel, Office of Research Integrity, and other compliance partners to ensure OSP policies, procedures, and systems remain aligned with evolving requirements. - Provides reporting, analysis, and data to support senior leadership decision-making and inform internal and external stakeholders. - Oversees training for new and current research administration staff to maintain strong knowledge of compliance requirements and sponsored-project practices. - Leads preparation of Dartmouth’s indirect cost proposal. **Award Administration & Institutional Protection -** - Directs and oversees pre-award and post-award administration for externally funded programs, from proposal authorization through award management, financial oversight, and reporting. - Evaluates and improves OSP workflows and processes related to proposal review and authorization, proposal submission, award and contract negotiation, post-award administration, and financial management and reporting. - Ensures proposals and awards comply with federal, state, sponsor, and Dartmouth requirements governing grants, contracts, and research security. - Serves as Dartmouth’s institutional signature authority by reviewing award and contract terms, leading negotiations that protect the university’s interests and academic freedom, and approving award acceptance. - Negotiates with federal sponsors and contracting officers, as needed, to support budget requests and secure terms consistent with Dartmouth policy. **Staff Leadership & Development -** - Leads, supervises, and develops OSP staff, including hiring, workforce planning, and staffing decisions. - Provides coaching, training, and mentoring, and oversees performance management to build a high-performing and collaborative team. - Fosters a professional, collegial, and welcoming work environment through inclusive and respectful leadership, communication, and interactions. #### Required qualifications: education and experience Bachelors plus 6 or more years' experience or combination of education and experience #### Required qualifications: skills, knowledge and abilities - 15 years of progressively responsible experience in grants and contracts administration. - 7 or more years of senior-level experience in sponsored projects or sponsored activity administration. - Demonstrated success in a senior management role within a complex, decentralized organization. - Strong organizational, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with faculty and staff at all levels. - Proven ability to lead through influence, drive change, and succeed in a collaborative, team-oriented environment. - Strong knowledge of federal laws and regulations governing sponsored projects, with the ability to interpret and communicate requirements clearly. - Sound judgment and strong negotiation skills. - High ethical standards and demonstrated experience handling confidential information. - Excellent written and verbal communication skills. - Demonstrated ability to learn and use grant management systems effectively. - Ongoing commitment to professional development and to advancing the research administration profession. - Demonstrated commitment to diversity and to serving the needs of a diverse community. #### Preferred qualifications - Significant experience in an academic setting is strongly preferred. - An advanced degree (e.g., M.S., M.B.A.) is preferred. - Experience working directly with federal officials is strongly preferred