Director of Grants and Sponsored Programs

Application Deadline: January 15, 2026

Salary: $72,000

About Arkansas Tech:

Arkansas Tech University is a public, comprehensive, regional university that was established by Act 100 of the 37th Arkansas General Assembly in 1909. ATU offers credentials and degrees at the technical certification, associate, baccalaureate, graduate and doctoral levels. The university operates campuses in Russellville and Ozark as well as Arkansas Tech Career Center (ATCC). Home to almost 10,000 students, ATU offers stackable credentials and multiple entry points to higher education. In all, Arkansas Tech offers more than 100 programs of study, including many of the most sought-after four-year baccalaureate programs among college freshmen - business, engineering, physical and biological sciences, the social sciences and teacher education. Pre-professional programs prepare ATU students to become doctors, dentists, lawyers, pharmacists, physical therapists and veterinarians. For more information about Arkansas Tech University and the surrounding community, please visit our website at to find our "Live Here" informational resources.

Position Summary:

The Director of Research and Sponsored Programs provides strategic leadership for all external grants, contracts, and agreements in which the University engages. This role interprets and disseminates funding opportunities, aligns them with institutional priorities, and ensures compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies. This position oversees and authorizes all grant submissions on behalf of the University, ensuring faculty and staff receive expert support with budget development, form completion, and timely proposal submission. The Director manages research compliance activities for the institution, including IRB, IACUC, and IBC, ensuring adherence to applicable regulations and supporting faculty in meeting compliance requirements. This position supervises and evaluates the work of two full-time Grant Coordinators, fostering professional growth and ensuring consistent, high-quality pre- and post-award support.

The Director plays a key role in advancing the University's research mission by fostering a culture of innovation, compliance, and collaboration. This position is expected to lead initiatives that expand sponsored program activity, support faculty success, and strengthen the institution's reputation as a hub for externally funded research and creative activity.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Develops and executes a strategic plan for sponsored programs growth, setting annual submission, award, and compliance goals aligned with the University's mission.

Develops and delivers workshops, training sessions, and resources for faculty, staff, and students to enhance grant-writing and compliance capacity across the institution.

Reviews external grant applications, contracts, and proposals, and coordinates moving them through the approval process.

Serves as the institutional AOR (Authorized Organizational Representative) on all electronic submission systems for grants and sponsored programs.

Provides comprehensive pre-award support, including funding searches, proposal development guidance, budget preparation, and institutional routing of applications.

Oversees award negotiation between funding agency and institution.

Oversees post-award administration to ensure external awards are managed in compliance with sponsor requirements, fiscal regulations, and institutional policies.

Knowledgeable about federal and other sponsor regulations governing grant and contract administration, including Office of Management & Budget Circulars and Federal Acquisition Regulations.

General knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies relating to the protection of human subjects, animal welfare, conflict of interest, and other compliance related activities.

Represents institution on State Advisory Committee (Science Advisory Committee)

• Maintains complete knowledge of the institution's external grants, agreements, and contracts to provide support and oversight to the positions under their supervisory jurisdiction.
• Acts as a liaison with research sponsors on behalf of the University. Collaborates closely with Finance, Legal Counsel, and Academic Affairs to streamline contract negotiations, award setup, and compliance oversight.

Creates and fosters an environment of support for the University research community through relationship-building with deans, research faculty, and students by extending and supporting

research endeavors that secure funding.

Engages in a free flow of communication with the program directors as well as subordinates to disseminate information, offer ideas and solutions to needs, and ensure the timely completion of tasks.

Leads continuous improvement initiatives to simplify proposal routing, reporting, and compliance monitoring processes.

Participates in educational opportunities to stay abreast of relevant issues, policy changes, laws and pertinent information related to specific grants and programs.

Serves on committees and attends conferences as appointed by the Dean of the Graduate College.

Creates, maintains, and implements written policies and procedures to support proposal development and effective grant management.

Supervises two full-time employees within the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, who are specifically assigned to grants and who approve reporting for all active external awards. Provides mentorship, coaching, and professional growth opportunities for Grants Coordinators and staff, building a collaborative and high-performing office culture.

Serves as a liaison on behalf of the University's sponsored research by managing partnerships among faculty, administration, and multiple funding agencies. Interprets federal and state policy, to ensure University compliance on grant financial and research activities including compliance.

Actively participates in professional development opportunities and national research administration networks (e.g., NCURA, SRAI) to remain current with regulations, policies, and best practices.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Deep knowledge of federal, state, and sponsor regulations governing grant and contract administration, including OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and Federal Acquisition Regulations. General knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies relating to the protection of human subjects, animal welfare, conflict of interest, and other compliance related activities. In addition, the Director should be familiar with generally accepted accounting principles and business mathematics; have good communication skills both verbal and written; be detail oriented; have the ability to work with minimal direct supervision. Strong ability to build relationships with faculty, deans, and external partners to foster a culture of research and sponsored program growth.

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in research administration or related field, plus five years' experience in proposal development, program planning, and grant administration.

Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Proficient with Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Office Excel and Word.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master's degree in research administration or related field.

Working knowledge of Ellucian Banner, Priority Software, or comparable enterprise research administration systems.

Experience submitting grant applications through , NSF , and NIH Assist.

Professional certifications such as Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Pre-Award Administrator (CPRA), and/or Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA) are strongly preferred

Work Location, Environment, and Physical Demands:

In an office environment. Ability to multi-task, take direction, and prioritize tasks effectively. Ability to navigate around campus and campus buildings to attend meetings, including during inclement weather. Familiarity with common technologies and software applications used in office administration and higher education. This position is expected to work on campus, in person, at the College office in Russellville, Arkansas.

What to Submit:

Resume, cover letter, and three (3) references.

To be considered for the position of Director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, all applications must be received and processed through our applicant tracking system, Cornerstone, prior to the closing date on January 15, 2026, before 6:00 pm central time.

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Salary : $72,000