Director Of Sponsored Programs Job at Lake Superior State University (Sault Ste Marie)

Job Description

Lake Superior State University is seeking a strategic and collaborative leader to build and advance a dynamic sponsored programs portfolio. This is an opportunity to shape institutional progress, support faculty innovation, and expand partnerships that have meaningful impact on our region and beyond. This position leads and advances the University's sponsored programs in alignment with the Strategic Plan and institutional priorities, including instructional excellence, student success, regional engagement, and organizational growth. The Director reports to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and serves as a central partner to faculty, staff, and leadership, guiding the development of competitive funding opportunities and supporting the full lifecycle of externally funded projects from concept through successful implementation. The Director fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability in sponsored programs, strengthening the University's capacity to secure and manage external funding while ensuring responsible stewardship and compliance with applicable regulations.

Job Responsibility

Leads and advances the University's sponsored programs strategy in alignment with institutional priorities, mission, and strategic plan
Identifies and pursues external funding opportunities that align with the University's strengths, needs, and areas of growth
Develops and leads institutional grant proposals, including large-scale and collaborative initiatives with faculty, staff, and community partners
Contributes to measurable outcomes tied to strategic plan initiatives through the expansion and success of sponsored programs
Partners with faculty and staff to identify, develop, and submit competitive grant and contract proposals
Provides guidance and support throughout the full lifecycle of grant development, from concept through submission
Develops and delivers training, resources, and guidance to strengthen grant-writing capacity across the institution
Supports principal investigators and project directors in understanding expectations and best practices for successful grant execution
Oversees the administration of grants and contracts to ensure compliance with federal, state, and sponsor regulations, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200)
Implements and maintains policies, procedures, and systems that ensure all sponsored programs are managed in accordance with applicable laws and institutional requirements
Works collaboratively with accounting staff and project leaders to support fiscal stewardship, reporting accuracy, and audit readiness
Ensures timely and accurate submission of all required programmatic and financial reports
Promotes institutional understanding of compliance requirements, including internal controls and audit processes
Serves as a primary liaison between the University and external funding agencies, partners, and stakeholders
Builds and sustains collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, administrators, and community partners to advance sponsored program opportunities
Works closely with institutional offices, including accounting and academic units, to support effective grant implementation and oversight
Collaborates with the Institutional Review Board (IRB), the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, and other compliance entities to ensure adherence to research and regulatory standards and track workflow
Develops and maintains systems, including dashboards and reports, to track grant activity, outcomes, and performance metrics
Analyzes data to inform decision-making, improve processes, and enhance institutional effectiveness in sponsored programs
Establishes and refines processes to improve efficiency, transparency, and service to the campus community
Performs other duties as assigned in support of the mission and evolving needs of the University

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 3–5 years of experience in grants and contracts administration, or relevant transferable experience
Demonstrated experience in grant writing, proposal development, and post-award management
Experience with grant compliance requirements, including federal regulations such as Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200)
Familiarity with financial oversight of grants, including budgeting, reporting, and management of multiple funding streams
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships and serve as a trusted institutional resource
Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and maintaining accuracy
Experience working with business applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, and data analysis tools

Nice to have

Master's degree and experience with grants/contracts in a public higher education setting
Knowledge of grant and contract administration within higher education and across funding agencies (federal, state, and private)
Experience supporting or managing audits and ensuring adherence to internal controls and compliance processes
Understanding of research compliance processes, including experience working with an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or similar entity
Experience developing reports, dashboards, or other tools to track performance and inform decision-making

Lake Superior State University - All Job Offers

Select Country

Director Of Sponsored Programs

Job Description

Job Responsibility

Requirements

Nice to have

Looking for more opportunities?

Director Of Sponsored Programs

Director, Department of Programs

Director of Growth Marketing

Director of Growth Marketing

Director Of IT Integration - M&A

Director of Tennis – Sports Performance & High-Performance Program

Director of Risk Management

Senior Director of Corporate Alliances

Director of Professional Services

Our AI answers in your language