What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Sponsored Programs position at University of South Carolina?
Posting Number
STA00224PO26
Job Family
Business Operations
Job Function
Grants Administration
USC Market Title
Grants Administrator
Link to USC Market Title
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/132316
Job Level
P3 - Professional
Business Title (Internal Title)
Director of Sponsored Programs
Campus
Beaufort
Work County
Beaufort
College/Division
USC Beaufort College/Division Level
Department
BFT Academic Affairs
State Pay Range
G10
USC Market Range
MRH - $63,557 $79,446 $95,336
Anticipated Hiring Range
Commensurate with experience and education
Location of Vacancy
USC Beaufort supported area
Part/Full Time
Full Time
Hours per Week
37.5
Work Schedule
Standard working schedule: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Basis
12 months
Job Search Category
Other Professional
About USC
About University of South Carolina
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Veterans' Preference Statement
The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.
Benefits for FTE Positions
The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.
Position Description
Advertised Job Summary
Director of Sponsored Programs
University of South Carolina Beaufort
University of South Carolina Beaufort
The University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) is seeking an experienced, strategic, and collaborative professional to serve as its next Director of Sponsored Programs—a key leadership role advancing the institution’s research mission and expanding its portfolio of externally funded initiatives.
Reporting to the Provost & Executive Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the Director will provide vision, leadership, and operational oversight for all aspects of pre- and post-award administration. This position is central to strengthening USCB’s research infrastructure and fostering a culture of innovation, scholarship, and external engagement.
Position Overview
The Director of Sponsored Programs plays a vital role in growing and managing extramural funding by supporting faculty and staff throughout the lifecycle of sponsored projects. This includes identifying funding opportunities, guiding proposal development, ensuring compliance, and serving as a critical liaison across institutional and system partners.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership and oversight of sponsored programs, including pre-award and post-award functions
- Support faculty and staff in the development, preparation, and submission of competitive grant proposals
- Conduct opportunity scouting to align funding sources with institutional priorities and faculty expertise
- Offer pre-award consultations, proposal review, and coaching/mentoring to principal investigators
- Serve as the primary liaison to research and award management offices within the University of South Carolina system
- Facilitate collaboration between USCB and system-wide partners on internal and external funding initiatives
- Act as a central point of contact between principal investigators and institutional offices regarding budgets, compliance, and sponsored awards
- Promote best practices in grant administration, fiscal stewardship, and regulatory compliance
Qualifications
- Demonstrated experience in sponsored programs administration within higher education or a related setting
- Strong knowledge of grant proposal development, budgeting, and funding agency requirements
- Ability to build collaborative relationships across diverse stakeholders
- Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills
- Commitment to supporting faculty success and advancing institutional research goals
About USCB
Located in the vibrant coastal communities of Bluffton and Beaufort, USCB offers a distinctive academic environment grounded in teaching excellence, community engagement, and growing research opportunities. As part of the University of South Carolina system, USCB combines the resources of a major public university with the personalized experience of a smaller campus.
Please be prepared to upload a cover letter, resume, and a list of references w/contact information.
Please be prepared to upload a cover letter, resume, and a list of references w/contact information.
Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience
Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 3 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.
Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in grants management supervisory experience preferred. Experience with PeopleSoft or other ERP preferred. Five (5) years of experience in progressively responsible leadership roles and procurement of contract/grant research funding. Experience writing and implementing grant proposals, with a proven track record of external research funding.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Excellent written, verbal, technical and organizational skills are needed. Knowledge of the principles and procedures involved in identifying and obtaining grant funds from various federal, state and local sources. Knowledge of government accounting. Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams including faculty, staff, and students, as well as external sponsors and stakeholders. Ability to work with teams, work under pressure in a deadline-oriented environment, and to work cross-culturally. Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to communicate with diverse audiences. Ability to remain highly organized, attend to detail, manage competing priorities, remain flexible and meet dynamic deadlines. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word and Excel. Demonstrated management skills and general knowledge of budgeting and fiscal management. Demonstrated ability to develop strong working relationships with colleagues and external constituents.
Job Duties
Job Duty
Identify and communicate funding opportunities for faculty & staff.
- Identification of grant opportunities & funding sources for faculty & staff
- Communicate grant and funding opportunities to campus
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
15
Job Duty
Manage and lead day-to-day activities of pre-award research administration at USCB.
- Mentor and coach faculty & staff in the development and preparation of research/grant projects & proposals for submission.
- Provide training opportunities and guidance in best practices for submission of grant proposals
- Perform meaningful pre-award review of grant proposals to identify potential red flags or special compliance circumstances
- Provide non-technical writing, formatting and editing support, including for sample budget justifications, institutional background descriptions and personnel documents
- Advise and assist faculty & staff in assembling grant proposal and organizing submissions
- Escalate indirect cost waiver and cost sharing requests to the EVCAA & Provost for review
- Works in close coordination with USCB Business Office on matters relating to external grants and reporting especially state, federal, and US based grants
- Create and implement systems for supporting strategic planning, tracking and reporting of grant activities
- Develop and maintain web page for various grant opportunities, services, information and successes, internal & external
- Serve as the primary liaison between PIs, USC Office of Sponsored Award Management (SAM), and sponsors/funders at the federal, state, & local levels to determine grant/proposal submission requirements
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
25
Job Duty
Coordinate with the USCB Finance & Operations Office, USC SAM, and USC GFM for post-award management and compliance.
- Serve as the primary liaison between PIs, USC SAM, USC GFM, and sponsors/funders at the federal, state, & local levels for appropriate post-award activities
- Conduct monthly budget reconciliation with PIs to ensure the spend plan/burn rate is progressing appropriately and in accordance with the sponsor’s approved budget, to include cost share when required.
- Review all modification in awards, requests for extension and revisions in implementation schedules and budgets by coordinating with PIs and USC SAM administrators to complete these changes and communicate with sponsors when appropriate
- If necessary, collaborate with PIs to develop conflict of interest plans and submit to EVCAA, COI compliance manager at USC and the USCB Business Office
- Coordinate with PIs for MOU renewals and annual budgets for recurring grants and awards
- Gather, review, and approve all USCB non-teaching summer salary requests and submit approvals to EVCAA office for contract development
- Oversee time and effort reporting for all sponsored projects
- Annually assess all funded awards for teaching buyouts and report approved buyout funding and accounts to the USCB Business Office
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
45
Job Duty
Manage internal awards/funding.
- Coordinates internal award funding (e.g. Sea Island Institute, USCB seed grants, nominations for limited submissions, etc.) in consultation with EVCAA & Provost
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
5
Job Duty
Manage and oversee USCB Research Center
- Oversees the Sea Island Institute (Center for Events Management, Water Quality Lab, & Institute for the Study of the Reconstruction Era)
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
5
Job Duty
Serve on the USC system-wide Associate Deans for Research working group.
- Attend/participate in monthly and appropriate ad hoc meetings
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
5
Position Attributes
Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.
Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive
No
Hazardous weather category
Non-Essential
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies
1
Desired Start Date
Job Open Date
04/08/2026
Job Close Date
Open Until Filled
Yes
Special Instructions to Applicant
Positions will remain posted on our employment website for a minimum of five (5) business days. After this period, postings may be closed at the department’s discretion. Our site is updated regularly, and the length of the recruitment and screening process may vary depending on the position and related factors. If your qualifications are selected for further consideration, you will be contacted directly by phone or email.
The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:
- Health and Life Insurance
- Retirement Programs
- Paid Tuition
- Dependent Scholarships
- Annual Leave
- Sick Leave
- 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
- Paid Parental Leave
- Professional Development Opportunities
Quicklink for Posting
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/204555
EEO Statement
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.
Salary : $63,557 - $95,336