Director, Office of Grants and Contracts

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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The College of Agricultural Sciences is hiring a Director for the Office of Grants and Contracts. The Director is responsible for the overall supervision, leadership, and management of the College of Agricultural Sciences’ Office for Grants and Contracts (OGC) and all activities associated with the full life cycle of sponsored programs administration for the College of Agricultural Sciences. This position is responsible for oversight of the proposal review and submission, contract negotiation assistance, sub-award issuance, and post-award administration (both financial and non-financial) related to funding provided in the form of gifts, grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts from external/internal funding sources (e.g., federal agencies, state agencies, private companies, or foundations) that provide support for research, curriculum development, outreach, and/or service work.  The Director works closely with the University’s Office of Sponsored Programs and College of Agricultural Sciences’ Finance and Business Office among others on internal and external reporting, audits, billing, and other grant related financial data. 

The Director must be able to hire, develop, mentor, and empower Assistant Directors and other staff and will maintain a productive and effective team that delivers expert and optimal customer service.  

Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to:  

• Provide leadership and management of OGC staff to ensure the overall mission is being upheld. 

• Responsible for administrative duties and to lead efforts to create documentation, resources, and guidance on all aspects of research administration.  

• Provide training to faculty, educators, and staff.  

• Practice sound leadership principles and continually seek out and implement best practices.  

• Oversight of quality improvement initiatives. 

• Cultivate relationships with partners in the research and extension enterprise, both internal and external to PSU. 

• Assist with broad preparation, negotiation, and setup of complex, high level agreements for the College. 

• Keep abreast of changing university policies and sponsoring agencies’ guidelines. 

• Assist and approve field trial agreements and gifts. 

• Attend conferences and workshops as appropriate. Represent the College in meetings and on committees. Present workshops on request. 

Scope of responsibilities:  

The Office of Grants and Contracts oversees the submission of approximately 700 proposals and 500 awards annually, across all three functions of research, outreach (Extension), and instruction. The college is successful in obtaining and processing approximately $130 million in awards each year. Sponsors range across a multitude of federal and state agencies, nonprofit foundations, associations/societies, corporations, and private donors. This position supervises an Assistant Director of Pre-Award and an Assistant Director of Post-Award and who oversee total of 12 additional proposal and award generalist staff. Regular communications with the College’s Finance and Business Office, to maintain compliance with regulations for federally appropriated funding, is expected. 

Education and Experience:  

This position typically requires a Master's degree or higher plus 5 or more years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

The successful candidate must be familiar with grant submission and financial management, as well as knowledge of funding agencies and uniform guidance for federal awards. This position will require experience with budget and personnel management. This person will routinely be involved in interpreting award terms and conditions for others. Preferred skills include proficiency in financial management systems, including the ability to develop and forecast budget needs as well as approve, monitor, and track expenditures for the Office of Grants and Contracts. Additional preferred experience includes familiarity with competitive intelligence related to funding opportunities. 

The successful candidate must be highly motivated, organized, and detail-oriented while having professional written and verbal communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills, and a collaborative spirit. The ability to coordinate several projects simultaneously is essential and the willingness to adapt to dynamic situations will be critical.  

Work Arrangements:  

This position is primarily remote but requires quarterly visits to the University Park campus. 

Application Information:  

Both a cover letter and resume must be submitted to be considered for this position. 

The following background checks must be successfully completed for this position:   

This position will require successful completion of standard background checks.   

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusive excellence that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusive excellence as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.  

The pay range for this position, including all possible grades is:

$97,100.00 - $145,700.00

Salary Structure - additional information on Penn State's job and salary structure. 

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here .

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. 

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

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