Assistant Director, Sponsored Programs

Classification: Administrator II
Hours: Full-time / 40 hours per week
FLSA: Exempt

Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $8,484 - $9,167* mo.
CSU Salary Schedule
*CSUMB provides pay scales representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for this position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, and CSU systemwide pay for comparable jobs.

Priority Screening Date: January 17, 2025
Recruitment Status: Open Until Filled

ABOUT CSUMB

California State University, Monterey Bay is a mid-sized university in California’s Central Coast that grants undergraduate and graduate degrees. Powered by an inspiring Founding Vision Statement , CSUMB is part of the nation’s largest four-year public university system, California State University , which educates nearly 460,000 students every year.

With a vibrant, diverse student body of over 7,000 students, CSU Monterey Bay is both a Minority Serving Institution and a Hispanic Serving Institution. Our staff and faculty transform students’ lives with a focus on student success and engagement through experiential learning, service learning, and a strong emphasis on multicultural and global perspectives. CSUMB’s sustainability goal is to be carbon neutral by 2030.

The university’s Strategic Plan prioritizes inclusive excellence through recruiting and investing in developing a diverse body of faculty, staff and administrators. Many appreciate living and working close to the shores of beautiful Monterey Bay, with easy access to recreational areas from Big Sur to Santa Cruz. Nearby opportunities for collaborative research include working in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Silicon Valley, and with colleagues at local research universities, including UC Santa Cruz and Stanford University.

As one of the 23 campuses in the CSU system, CSUMB offers excellent benefits, including access to below-market-rate rental housing on East Campus, and competitive salaries for faculty and staff. With proximity to the San Francisco Bay Area and San Jose, opportunities for faculty, staff and students are as endless as the shores of the nearby Pacific Ocean.

PURPOSE:

Under general supervision of the Director of Sponsored Programs, the Assistant Director of Sponsored Programs is responsible for the pre-award funding activities for government and private agencies, ensures institutional compliance with University, Corporation, government and sponsor regulations, encourages and supports faculty and staff in external funding endeavors, and communicates effectively the role of external funding of the University with federal and state officials and the general public. Across all duties and responsibilities, the successful candidate is required to exercise independent judgment and discretion when working with faculty and staff (Principal Investigators, PIs), funding agency personnel, and University Corporation at Monterey Bay (Corporation) and University (CSUMB) personnel. Must be self-directed and able to prioritize and organize their own tasks and duties as well as the priorities and tasks of their employees and be able to function effectively and efficiently in situations requiring an elevated level of tact and diplomacy.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to, the following:

Management: Performs high-quality, customer-focused pre-award services, applying specialized knowledge in research and grant administration and/or program management. Successfully implements and manages the electronic research administration (eRA) platform, working closely with the vendor and with staff and faculty at CSUMB. Manages the Subaward Analyst/Specialist position. Guides pre-award activities, focusing on the development and preparation of a variety of applications, understanding, interpreting and effectively communicating proposal requirements, complex federal regulations and internal policies and procedures. Oversees day-to-day management of operations, managing a complex and diverse workload consisting of grants and contracts proposals to federal, state and local government and private funding agencies. Leads the Sponsored Programs Office with the Director is unavailable.

Training and Communication: Develops and implements training resources for PIs on a variety of processes, policies and topics relevant to sponsored programs. Provides day-to-day training and mentoring of staff, analyzes proficiency and readiness for more complex assignments, and engages in on-going monitoring, analysis, oversight of tasks, and advanced problem solving. Provides guidance and support to Sponsored Programs Officers on communication and interactions with PIs, project staff, Corporation staff and provides assistance with problem resolution on issues across campus. Communicates regularly with staff to provide feedback and support to foster professional growth and development. Uses expert negotiation skills with the ability to achieve consensus, optimize the University’s and Corporation’s objectives, and ensure that effective and cooperative working relationships are maintained with PIs, campus departments and sponsors.

Technical expertise: Serves as an expert and technical advisor within the department. In conjunction with the Director, analyzes Sponsored Programs pre- and post-award programmatic procedures and creates, implements new or modifies existing policies and/or procedures to promote efficiency and productivity within the department and the campus. Creates new policies and procedures as needed for compliance with federal, state, and institutional requirements. Maintains current knowledge and understanding of research administration topics as well as proficiency on technology related to proposal submission. Interprets regulatory and sponsor requirements and the development, implementation and application of policies and procedures related to sponsored program activities. Researches and evaluates available technological solutions as business needs arise.

Pre-Award Activities: Coordinates the support areas of research funding, information services, ongoing identification of campus/faculty/staff strengths and interests and dissemination of external funding opportunities for proposal development provides faculty and staff with one-on-one, personalized service. Collaborates to identify and support campus research priority areas. Plans and strategizes for future major campus funding opportunities. Supports new research area development and strategic planning. Identifies and tracks legislation to identify funding areas targeted for future growth. Works cooperatively with the Director to develop campus funding plans to increase funds from government sources. Cultivates and maintains positive working relationships with external sponsor agencies and supports PI in developing good working relationships. Assists PIs in developing competitive proposals. Collaborates with PIs to develop a proposal budget appropriate to the objectives as stated in the proposal and consistent with the policies of the University, Corporation, and the sponsor agency. Identifies and facilitates solutions to potential administrative issues prior to formal proposal approval from the University and Corporation.

Post-Award - Programmatic: In consultation with the Director, negotiates terms of awards and agreements with sponsoring agencies; assures compliance with the administrative terms of the award. Conducts the project set-up meetings with the PI once award is made and works with the PI on grant management for compliance with sponsor and Corporation regulations and procedures. Assists with grant/contract audit request preparation and resolution related to pre-award and sponsor audits. Assures compliance with program reporting requirements, termination procedures and programmatic closeout. Communicates with Corporation’s Post Award and HR Managers for problem-solving and to facilitate efficient processes. Collaborates on issues and establishes interdepartmental policies and procedures related to the pre-and post-award administration of sponsored programs activities.

Prepares, analyzes and negotiates complex contractual documents on behalf of the Corporation; ensures that terms and conditions are acceptable to the University and the Corporation.

Other Functions:
In collaboration with the Director, prepare regular reports as requested including data analytics, graphics, and trend reporting, Conduct and attend trainings and workshops; review publications containing grants development information Other duties may include participation in long-range initiatives that may involve the University Corporation and CSUMB such as strategic planning, systems enhancements or policy development. The position will be directly involved in department planning and needs assessment. May take a lead role in the development and/or delivery of departmental or inter-departmental training or a task force focused on process or system improvements for the Corporation and/or University as a whole Perform other job-related duties and special projects as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrates and applies a broad knowledge and experience with interpreting and applying terms and conditions in conjunction with sponsor agency proposal requirements, policies and federal circulars such as 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance), Federal Acquisition Regulations, and institutional policies and procedures. Uses independent professional judgment in situations that are different from the typical daily experience and develops solutions to issues where no clear regulatory guidance or policy exist using good judgment and analytical skills . Has the ability to determine when regulations have room for interpretation and apply sound judgment in determining solutions to complex issues where no clear guidance in regulations exists.
• Demonstrates and applies knowledge in the area of program management and/or leadership in technology implementation related to the eRA system (e.g. Cayuse) and other data management processes and reporting.
• Ability to proactively research, analyze and evaluate a variety of complex regulations, apply sound judgment, draw logical conclusions, and find creative solutions to a variety of problems, as well as independently prepare analytical documentation in clear, concise format for review.
• Demonstrates substantial judgment in the analysis and interpretation process and may serve as a key contact for overly complex programs. Self-directed and actively shares their expertise in providing clarification and developing solutions for their staff and with other employees in the division.
• Ability to utilize funding opportunity databases (e.g. PIVOT), sponsor websites and proposal systems and other eRA systems (e.g. Cayuse) to find, analyze and provide recommendations to Director and faculty seek funding opportunities.
• Knowledge, experience and expertise in planning, managing, and submitting proposals to funding sources with varying terms and conditions. Strong mathematical/analytical skills using Excel; develop skills over time to include complex calculations across multiple funding sources and the ability to prepare and present complex proposal budgets to principal investigators.
• Ability to demonstrate initiative and strong leadership skills and maintain confidentiality when interacting with their contacts throughout the department, Corporation, CSUMB, as well as sponsoring agencies. Takes initiative to share their expertise through mentoring or providing training to Sponsored Programs staff and/or project staff, and or Corporation staff. Routinely engages with other professional colleagues to assist with problem resolution for staff as well as others within the department.
• Ability to demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills. Understands the culture of CSUMB and Corporation and has developed effective communication strategies when communicating with principal investigators, university administrators, CSUMB/Corporation staff, and agency representatives. Effectively uses all communication methods and uses expertise as well as persuasion and negotiating skills to build consensus. Demonstrated ability to establish partnering relationships with faculty and project staff resulting in enhanced communication and understanding of the programmatic as well as the fiscal aspects of the funds
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, overseeing multiple deadlines and tasks with tact and diplomacy under pressure. Ability to prioritize, plan and organize tasks with the ability to independently develop solutions, seeking consultation with other department professionals as needed.
• Knowledge of and highly skilled in utilizing internal and external information systems and accounting applications in analysis, research and reporting activities and other projects and regularly shares this expertise within the department and across Sponsored Programs.
• Outstanding collaboration and demonstrated teamwork ability. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and mutually supportive working relationships with a range of internal and external colleagues and stakeholders. This one could also be combined with the gray sections
• Demonstrated interest in and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in research training, research grantmaking, the conduct of research and in supporting the public benefit of research. Values diversity of background and perspective to enhance research and program outcomes.

Skilled in:

• Highly developed communication (oral and written), time management, problem resolution and organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships with faculty, staff, administrator, Corporation personnel and representatives of various organizations and agencies.
• Advanced experience working in research administration with an emphasis in pre-award and programmatic post-award duties.
• Proficient with PC, Microsoft Suite, information technologies such as Internet and email, financial, and electronic research administration systems.

Ability to:

• Ability to prioritize tasks, to work independently, to maintain confidentiality and to take initiative to improve upon current operations in a collaborative manner.
• Ability to work under the pressure inherent in meeting numerous, conflicting deadlines.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree AND 5 years of experience in a progressively responsible grants and contracts position at a foundation, university or other non-profit organization. Experience in a start-up organization. A graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for one year of the required experience. Additional experience, which has demonstrated the requisite skills and abilities, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS/DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE:

• Experience with Cayuse or other eRA platform(s).
• Technical fluency with Oracle/PeopleSoft, CSU Common Management System or equivalent student information system; Microsoft Office Professional Suite, and Google mail and calendaring programs.
• CRA Certification
• Minimum of five years experience in research administration.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT AND POSITION DESIGNATIONS:

• All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check (including a criminal records check).
• The person holding this position will have a duty to report to the Campus Title IX Officer information pertaining to discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and retaliation and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order EO 1095, EO 1096, and EO 1097 as a condition of employment.
• This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). The position is required to participate in training at the direction of the Clery Director and must also promptly report allegations of reportable crimes according to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, its accompanying regulations; the California State Education Code, Chapter 15.5, of the Donahoe Higher Education Act, Section 67380; and the California State University system-wide policy, Code EO 1107.
• This position has been designated as a sensitive position with:
  • authority to commit financial resources of the university through contracts greater than $10,000
  • control over campus business processes, either through functional roles or system security access
• Must possess and maintain a valid license to drive in the State of California, pass the Defensive Training Class, and be insurable under the University's liability coverage.
• May require occasional evenings and/or weekend work.
• This position is eligible for hybrid or remote work assignment on an annual basis, CSUMB-Voluntary-Remote-Work-Program (VRWP) .

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT:

Office environment with standard equipment and tasks. The position requires working at a computer and desk for extended periods of time. May require travel between campus offices and off-campus locations.

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff remain our highest priority. While on campus, students, faculty, staff, and the community will be expected to follow all campus safety mandates.

BENEFITS/PERKS:

This is a management-level position with an attractive benefits package, which includes: a vacation accrual rate of 16 hours per month; an excellent choice of medical, dental, and vision insurance; long-term disability coverage; life insurance; educational incentives; membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS); and 14 paid holidays a year. For further information, please visit Employee Benefits Summary . As a perk, the University Corporation at CSU Monterey Bay provides access to affordable campus housing based on availability; visit Schoonover Employee Housing for more information.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

For full consideration, applicants must complete the required online application prior to the priority screen date found at Careers at CSUMB . Application submissions received after the application screening date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University. Materials submitted become the property of CSUMB and will not be returned.

CSUMB is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting Human Resources at (831) 582-3389 or emailing humanresources@csumb.edu . All employees must be eligible for employment in the U.S.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

CSUMB hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States and is an E-Verify employer. In compliance with federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics, you can view the notice of availability and access the Cal State University, Monterey Bay annual security and fire safety reports at https://csumb.edu/clery/asr-and-fsr-notices-availability/ .

CSUMB is a smoke and tobacco-free campus.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

CSUMB is an Equal Opportunity employer seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. We value and celebrate diversity in all its forms and strive to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion. We consider qualified applicants for employment for their anticipated contributions and without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

Advertised: Nov 18 2024 Pacific Standard Time
Applications close:

Closing Date/Time:

• 

• Cal State University (CSU) Monterey Bay

• 831-582-3000

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