Director of Sponsored Projects Administration

Position Details

Proposed Start Date

01/16/2026

Classification Title

Legal and Compliance

Rank

N - No Rank

Working Title

Director of Sponsored Projects Administration

Department

SPA Sponsored Projects Office

Position Number

D91351

Representation

UU - Unclassified Unrepresented

Renewable

Renewable

End date, if applicable

Position FTE

1.0

Tenure Status

N - not applicable

Position Summary

Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept

Portland State University is Oregon's most affordable public research university, located in the heart of one of America's most dynamic cities. Our mission to "let knowledge serve the city" reflects our dedication to turning ideas into action — in Portland and around the world. The city is our campus, giving students unmatched access to career connections, a vibrant cultural scene and hands-on learning experiences with hundreds of community partners.

More than 20,000 students from all backgrounds bring diverse perspectives to our classrooms and campus life, from the tree-lined Park Blocks to the bustling Urban Plaza and state-of-the-art science labs. We are proud of our world-class faculty, groundbreaking research and international reputation for excellence in sustainability, community engagement and innovation.

Position Summary

The Director of Sponsored Projects Administration oversees the operations of and manages staff within the office of Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA), the centralized administrative unit at Portland State University (PSU) responsible for University-wide administration of external funding received by the University in the form of grants and contracts for research and other scholarly activity. The Director provides oversight, strategic coordination, and integration of the University's comprehensive research administration infrastructure supporting the entire sponsored project lifecycle. This includes the centralized Pre-Award and Post-Award operations, as well as a centralized Departmental Research Administration function. The Director coordinates the seamless flow of activities across the sponsored project lifecycle—from proposal development through final award closeout—by establishing efficient, integrated processes and fostering a shared, compliant operational understanding across all teams.

The Sponsored Projects Administration unit, housed within Research and Graduate Studies (RGS), is the steward of sponsored funds awarded to PSU and the designated institutional representative with external sponsors. SPA staff manage the University's adherence to funder requirements and policies and the terms and conditions of awards. SPA staff support proposal development, budget preparation, and submission; award negotiation and acceptance; issuance and financial management of subawards; award setup and cash management; and administrative and financial oversight of awards as defined by the sponsor and federal regulations. By ensuring adherence to federal, state, and institutional regulations, as well as sponsor-specific terms and conditions, SPA professionals mitigate risk, ensure fiscal integrity, and ultimately enable faculty and researchers to successfully secure and execute the grants and contracts that drive innovation and knowledge creation across the university.

This position is based at Portland State University's vibrant urban campus in downtown Portland, where you'll be part of a welcoming and collaborative community. Directors are expected to work on campus five days per week.

Minimum Qualifications

• Eight years of progressively responsible experience in research administration in a higher education setting

• Four years of direct supervisory or management experience over professional staff

• Proven leadership skills related to research administration

• Thorough knowledge of federal regulations governing grant and contract administration (e.g., Uniform Guidance – 2 CFR 200, Federal Acquisition Regulations) and extensive knowledge of policies, procedures, and requirements of federal and private funding agencies

• Excellent written and oral communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills

• High level of diplomacy, discretion, and problem-solving skills

• Experience with interpretation of laws, regulations, and policies as it relates to research administration

Key Skills and Abilities

• Leadership and Communication: Exceptional leadership skills with a proven ability to foster a collaborative, service-oriented culture. Superior written and verbal communication skills necessary for engaging with faculty, senior leadership, and external funding agencies.

• Financial Acumen: Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, financial analysis, and developing internal fiscal controls.

• Negotiation: Demonstrated ability to act as the authorized organizational representative to negotiate complex grant and contract terms with sponsors and industry partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in relevant field

• Experience developing and executing strategic plans, policies, and process integration initiatives across multiple administrative units

• Award negotiation experience

• Internal training program development for staff

Key Cultural Competencies

• Create an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences.
• Function and communicate effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.
• Seek opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
• Adhere to all of PSU's policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.

Environmental Stewardship

Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.

Work Days/Hours

Monday - Friday, 40hrs per week

Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement

Salary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band. PSU has a structured process for determining starting compensation, taking into account years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity.

The starting annual salary range for this position will between $127,836 and $145,716, but may be negotiated above this range dependent upon the factors above, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.

An excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools.

Please visit our total compensation calculator to see the full value of our benefits package.

Application Instructions

Additional Information

The start date is negotiable.

Additional Application Instructions (deadlines, etc.)

To apply, please upload the following required documents:

1. Resume - outlining professional experience and education

2. Cover letter - describing your interest in this position at PSU (about one page)

3. List of three professional references – include name, title, company, relationship to applicant (eg, supervisor), email, and phone number. We will not contact references without first notifying the applicant.

Does this position require the employee to drive a motor vehicle?

No

Background Check Required

Yes

Position End Date (if applicable)

If you have questions

For questions about the position, please contact:

Dawn Boatman

Assistant Vice President, Research Administration

Research & Graduate Studies