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Dartmouth College

Director, Office of Sponsored Projects

5 day weekGenerous PTOOnsite · Hanover, NH, USA

Scheduled hours per week: 40

Scheduled months per year: 12

Remote work eligibility: Onsite only

Position purpose

The Director, Office of Sponsored Projects is the senior authorized official for all pre- and post-award administration of externally funded research. The Director leads the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) and assists the Dartmouth research community in securing and ensuring appropriate stewardship of government and private funding. The Director establishes the office’s mission and ensures that the actions and activities of OSP staff align with and support that mission.

Key accountabilities

Strategic Leadership, Workflow & Technology -

  • Serves as senior staff to the Vice Provost for Research, advising on sponsored-project activities and related policy development.
  • Partners with school leadership, central offices, and senior administration to shape research policy and administration.
  • Leads improvements to workflows, business processes, policies, and systems to reduce redundancy, increase efficiency, and strengthen service quality.
  • Partners with Information Technology & Consulting (ITC) to identify and prioritize technology enhancements that improve the functionality of research administration systems.
  • Represents Dartmouth at professional associations (e.g., Ivy+, COGR, NORDP, FDP).
  • Monitors and interprets applicable federal, state, and institutional requirements, in collaboration with the Research Integrity and Security Director, including research security, export control, and sponsor data security requirements.
  • Collaborates with the Office of General Counsel, Office of Research Integrity, and other compliance partners to ensure OSP policies, procedures, and systems remain aligned with evolving requirements.
  • Provides reporting, analysis, and data to support senior leadership decision-making and inform internal and external stakeholders.
  • Oversees training for new and current research administration staff to maintain strong knowledge of compliance requirements and sponsored-project practices.
  • Leads preparation of Dartmouth’s indirect cost proposal.

Award Administration & Institutional Protection -

  • Directs and oversees pre-award and post-award administration for externally funded programs, from proposal authorization through award management, financial oversight, and reporting.
  • Evaluates and improves OSP workflows and processes related to proposal review and authorization, proposal submission, award and contract negotiation, post-award administration, and financial management and reporting.
  • Ensures proposals and awards comply with federal, state, sponsor, and Dartmouth requirements governing grants, contracts, and research security.
  • Serves as Dartmouth’s institutional signature authority by reviewing award and contract terms, leading negotiations that protect the university’s interests and academic freedom, and approving award acceptance.
  • Negotiates with federal sponsors and contracting officers, as needed, to support budget requests and secure terms consistent with Dartmouth policy.

Staff Leadership & Development -

  • Leads, supervises, and develops OSP staff, including hiring, workforce planning, and staffing decisions.
  • Provides coaching, training, and mentoring, and oversees performance management to build a high-performing and collaborative team.
  • Fosters a professional, collegial, and welcoming work environment through inclusive and respectful leadership, communication, and interactions.

Required qualifications: education and experience

Bachelors plus 6 or more years' experience or combination of education and experience

Required qualifications: skills, knowledge and abilities

  • 15 years of progressively responsible experience in grants and contracts administration.
  • 7 or more years of senior-level experience in sponsored projects or sponsored activity administration.
  • Demonstrated success in a senior management role within a complex, decentralized organization.
  • Strong organizational, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with faculty and staff at all levels.
  • Proven ability to lead through influence, drive change, and succeed in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
  • Strong knowledge of federal laws and regulations governing sponsored projects, with the ability to interpret and communicate requirements clearly.
  • Sound judgment and strong negotiation skills.
  • High ethical standards and demonstrated experience handling confidential information.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to learn and use grant management systems effectively.
  • Ongoing commitment to professional development and to advancing the research administration profession.
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity and to serving the needs of a diverse community.

Preferred qualifications

  • Significant experience in an academic setting is strongly preferred.
  • An advanced degree (e.g., M.S., M.B.A.) is preferred.
  • Experience working directly with federal officials is strongly preferred
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