Part-time Office of Sponsored Programs Director

Job Title : Part-time Office of Sponsored Programs Director

Location : Columbus State University

Regular / Temporary : Temporary

Full / Part Time : Full-Time

Job ID : 293213

About Us

Great universities inspire the very best in us. They nurture new ideas, fresh perspectives, and creative problem-solving. They challenge students to discover their passions - and to turn those passions into thriving careers that improve our world.

Columbus State University is exactly that kind of place. With exceptional facilities, ideal class sizes, and unique field experiences, our students have room to create. Here, every faculty and staff member is part of the educational process, actively mentoring students and championing each new step in their journey.

Located just 100 miles southwest of Atlanta, CSU is part of the University System of Georgia and offers a variety of benefits to full-time benefits-eligible employees and some of our half-time (or more) employees. Benefits that may be elected could include health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, Teachers Retirement System (or Optional Retirement Plan), as well as earned vacation time, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays (if applicable). Also, our full-time employees who have been employed with us successfully for more than 6 months can be considered for the Tuition Assistance Program. Consider applying with us today!

Job Summary

The Grants and Program Specialist supports the administration, coordination, and compliance of externally funded projects and institutional initiatives. This position works collaboratively with faculty, staff, and administrators to ensure effective grant proposal development, submission, post-award management, and reporting. The incumbent serves as a key liaison between project investigators, the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), finance, and external funding agencies to ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies.

The Office of Sponsored Programs Director will report to the Provost.

Responsibilities

Pre-Award Support

¿ Assist faculty and staff in identifying funding opportunities and interpreting sponsor guidelines.

¿ Coordinate the development and submission of grant proposals, including budget preparation, narratives, forms, and supporting documentation.

¿ Ensure proposals comply with institutional and sponsor requirements (e.g., federal Uniform Guidance, agency regulations, and CSU / USG policies).

¿ Maintain a calendar of funding deadlines and coordinate timely internal routing and approvals through Kuali or other electronic systems.

Post-Award Administration

¿ Serve as a liaison between project directors, Business & Finance, and OSP for award setup and account management.

¿ Monitor grant expenditures to ensure compliance with approved budgets and applicable regulations.

¿ Assist with budget revisions, no-cost extensions, and other sponsor communications.

¿ Collect and compile data for progress and final reports.

¿ Support faculty with effort reporting, cost sharing, and F&A compliance.

Program Coordination

¿ Coordinate activities related to special programs or grant-funded initiatives, including scheduling, event logistics, communications, and documentation.

¿ Develop and maintain project tracking systems, dashboards, and databases to support assessment and reporting.

¿ Assist with evaluation, data analysis, and dissemination of program outcomes.

Compliance and Training

¿ Maintain current knowledge of grant regulations and institutional policies.

¿ Support internal training workshops and communications related to grants administration and compliance.

¿ Participate in professional development opportunities (e.g., NCURA, SRA, or USG training)

Required Qualifications

¿ Education : Master¿s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Accounting, or a related field.

¿ Experience : Minimum of two years of experience in grants administration, project management, or related field.

Preferred Qualifications

¿ Master¿s degree or certification in research administration (CRA).

¿ Experience in higher education or a research institution .

Proposed Salary

$40.87 / hour. 19 Hours / week

Required Documents to Attach

• Cover Letter / Letter of Application
• Resume

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

¿ Knowledge of grants and contract administration processes, terminology, and compliance requirements.

¿ Familiarity with federal agencies (e.g., NSF, NIH, DOE, DoD, NEH, USDA) and state or foundation funding.

¿ Ability to interpret and apply complex sponsor regulations.

¿ Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Excel, and electronic grant management systems (e.g., Kuali, Cayuse, or InfoEd).

Skills :

¿ Excellent written and oral communication, including policy drafting and faculty correspondence.

¿ Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills, with the ability to build consensus across diverse groups.

¿ Effective project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

¿ Skilled in mediation, negotiation, and conflict resolution.

Abilities :

¿ Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

¿ Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive personnel issues with discretion.

¿ Ability to interpret and apply complex policies and procedures fairly and consistently.

¿ Ability to think strategically, solve problems proactively, and align initiatives with institutional goals.

¿ Commitment to advancing equity and inclusion in faculty affairs and academic leadership.

Contact Information

If you have any questions, please contact the Human Resources Office at 706-507-8920 or e-mail to hr@columbusstate.edu.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https : / / www.usg.edu / policymanual / section8 / C224 / #p8.2.18_personnel_conduct .

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https : / / www.usg.edu / policymanual / section6 / C2653 .

Institutional Values

Excellence : Actively engaging outstanding methods in teaching, academic discovery, creative pursuits, student success, cultural enrichment and the overall campus community.

Creativity : Pursuing distinction through inquiry and innovation, challenging convention and focusing on solutions.

Engagement : Dynamic civic involvement and participation of students, faculty, staff and alumni in the university experience.

Sustainability : Advancing fiscal responsibility, well-being, innovation, lifelong learning and environmental stewardship.

Inclusion : Cultivating and championing a campus environment that welcomes diverse backgrounds, ideas, perspectives and practices.

Servant Leadership : Leading through ethical empowerment and service.

Conditions of Employment

All selected candidates are required to submit and successfully pass a background investigation to include reference checks and verification of academic credentials (if applicable). Other additional requirements may be required based upon specific position duties :

For Faculty Hires : Final candidates will be required to provide proof of completed academic degree(s) as well as post-secondary coursework in the form of original transcript(s). Those candidates trained by a foreign institution will also be required to provide an educational / credential evaluation.

All employees are responsible for ensuring the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of sensitive information by exercising sound judgment and adhering to cybersecurity and privacy policies during their employment and beyond. Additionally, all members of the USG community must adhere to the USG Statement of Core Values must also be aware of and comply with the Board of Regents policies on Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is the policy of Columbus State University to recruit, hire, train, promote, and educate persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status.

Special Applicant Instructions

Visit Columbus State University's online Careers portal to drive your career with us! The online applicant system provides you with the ability to review job opportunities and apply to those that you are interested in and feel qualified for. Each job posting has a summary description of the position and required qualifications. All job applications must be submitted through the online portal system.