Please review job requirements carefully. Failure to submit all pieces of the application may result in disqualification. Applications are accepted on the University of West Florida career site: https://careers.uwf.edu. For assistance contact UWF Human Resources at 850.474.2694 or jobs@uwf.edu.

Employment based visa sponsorship will NOT be considered for this position.

POSITION DETAILS

Position Number:  129380
Classification Title:  Director
Working Title:  Director, Sponsored Research

Department:  Research Administration & Engagement
FLSA Status:  Exempt
Salary Range:  Salary commensurate with education and experience
Pay Basis:  Annually

POSITION OVERVIEW

JOB SUMMARY:

The Director liaises with researchers at UWF to identify funding opportunities, organize project development, provide sponsored project guidance, assemble proposal components for successful submissions to funding agencies, and ensure timely and compliant execution of awarded projects, including project closeouts. Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Research Administration and Engagement (AVP-RAE), this position focuses on building research projects and facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration for the UWF research community, and contributes to the overall growth of externally funded revenues. The Director leads in the provision of exemplary customer service and support to UWF researchers in the development of strategic research expertise, preparation of grant proposals and compliance management, and serves as a knowledge resource on regulations regarding research administration. Collaborations with the academic department and colleges in building research projects and with the offices of Controller, Budget, Payroll, Cashier, Human Resources, Information Technology to ensure compliance with federal, state, and university policies. Knowledge of the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) and the process and eligibility of application to federal and state funding opportunities are essential for this position.

The Director must demonstrate an understanding of the cost principle of federal grant programs and finance operations in a higher education institution, including institutional cost share structures required by the funding agencies, and an ability to use modern computerized tools, organization planning, data analytics tools to facilitate continuous improvement of research administration in a fast-paced, complex organization.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A master's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and six years of appropriate experience; or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and eight years of appropriate experience.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

Preferred degree qualification: A doctoral degree in STEM or a health sciences discipline.

A track record as a PI or co-PI in sponsored research funded by federal and state agencies

Knowledge of grants, contracting, and subcontracting principles and guidelines.

Grant writing experience.

Knowledge of online grant portal including, but not limited to, Grants.gov, NSF Research.gov, eRA Commons, Grant Solutions, Defense Security Service website for security classification; and various required agency-specific web portals.

Knowledge of accounting, auditing, and budgeting principles.

Knowledge of statistical principles and analysis including preparation of data summaries.

Knowledge of legal terminology and standard clauses in contract law.

Ability to communicate well as a public speaker and trainer.

Ability to make decisions and apply sound judgment in issue resolution.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Demonstrated experience with university (or similar) policies and procedures and federal and state rules, laws, and regulations governing sponsored research administration.

Working knowledge of Tableau and Ellucian Banner Document Management System software.

Leadership and management experience.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/JOB DUTIES:

• 35% - Grant Proposal Development and Submission • Serve as the liaison between the RAE Office and UWF researchers (including research staff in UWF centers of excellence) in proposal development to ensure timely, complete, and compliant submission of grant applications to federal and state agencies and private foundations and industries. • Lead in identifying funding opportunities and organizing research teams to effectively develop projects to respond to identified opportunities. • Provide mentorship to RAE pre-award staff members in managing the pre-award business items and addressing operational issues in a compliant fashion. • Strengthen relationships with the UWF centers of excellence and external stakeholders to enhance the reputation and activities of the UWF research community and to promote collaborations internally and externally. - (Essential)
• 20% - Execution and Management of Awarded Projects • Provide mentorship to RAE post-award members in managing and executing awarded projects and submitting project performance and finance reports, including on-time invoicing to grant sponsors and managing the process of payouts to sub-awardees of UWF, and project closeouts. • Oversee compliance with time and effort reporting and other sponsored research policies and performs accounting analysis on the available time & effort for research activities at UWF. • Assist the AVP-RAE in addressing issues regarding project outcomes and output of awarded projects and communication with UWF project teams. • Assist AVP-RAE in building a system of post-award operations and ensuring continuous improvements in post-award administration. These include: (1) implementing production and automation in the Banner system for consistent, accurate, and allocable grant finance management, (2) allocating the facilities and administrative revenues (IDC) from awarded grant funds to designated accounts to support research activities for long-term research growth, (3) developing mechanisms to facilitate beneficial research practice and promote responsible conduct of research. - (Essential)
• 20% - Compliance Assurance • Maintain compliance with provisions of OMB Circular A-21, A-110, and A-133, guidelines of funding agencies, and UWF policies and procedures of academic affairs, finance, human resources, and information technology. • Manage A-133, state, local, and internal audit requests related to contracts, grants, research agreements, and sponsored programs. • Ensure compliance with agency and UWF policies on institutional cost share of sponsored programs, cost standard disclosure statements, and IDC with continuous updates following the revisions of pertinent regulations. - (Essential)
• 15% - Research Administration Training and Team Leadership • Elevate the overall understanding of grant administration in the UWF research community through developing training programs and hosting workshops regarding research administration. • Mentor and train junior RAE staff members in the areas of pre-award, post-award, and compliance operations in the RAE. • Assist AVP-RAE in promoting a collaborative team culture in research administration and engagement. - (Essential)
• 10% - RAE Administrative and Financial Oversight • Assist AVP-RAE in planning research budgets, managing research expenditures, and setting strategic investments for research enhancement in accordance with the University policies. • Help RAE staff members in other areas of research and sponsored programs administration, such as pre-award operations, compliance, and reporting. • Perform research administration-related work as designated by the AVP-RAE. - (Essential)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Physical Requirements: No unusual physical requirement. Requires no heavy lifting and nearly all work is performed in a comfortable indoor facility.
• Impact of Deadlines: Externally imposed deadlines set and revised beyond one’s control. Interruptions influence priorities. Difficult to anticipate nature or volume of work with certainty beyond a few days.
• Standing: Daily
• Walking: Daily
• Sitting: Daily
• Reaching with hands and arms: Daily
• Climbing or balancing: Occasionally
• Stooping: Occasionally
• Use of hands to handle objects: Daily
• Lifting up to 10lbs: Daily
• Lifting up to 25lbs: Occasionally
• Lifting over 25lbs: Never
• Talking as express or exchange of ideas verbally: Daily
• Hearing as perceive sound by ear: Daily
• Vision as distinguish colors & depth: Frequently

Special Requirements or Considerations of the Job:  

• This position requires a criminal background screen.
  This position requires fingerprinting.

Special Instructions to Applicants:  Candidates must apply online through the University of West Florida website: https://careers.uwf.edu. Applicants are required to attach a resume, cover letter and contact information for three references. An opportunity to upload these documents will be provided during the application process. For assistance, please contact Human Resources at 850.474.2694 or email jobs@uwf.edu.

ADDITIONAL POSTING DETAILS

Number of Vacancies: 1
Work Hours:  8:00 am - 5:00 pm
FTE:  1.0
Preferred Response Date:  11/02/2025

The University of West Florida is an Equal Opportunity/Access/Disabled/Veteran employer. Any individual requiring special accommodation to apply is requested to advise UWF by contacting UWF Human Resources at 850.474.2694 (voice) or 850.857.6158 (TTY). E-Verify is required for employment. All applications for employment at the University are subject to Florida public records law.