ATSU - Director Sponsored Programs MO

Overview

A.T. Still University (ATSU) is seeking a Director of Sponsored Programs on the Kirksville, Missouri, campus. The position reports to the Senior Director of Sponsored Programs. The position's primary duties require advanced knowledge, creative talent, and a career track record in the specialized field of pre-award grantsmanship and grants/research administration, including original programmatic conceptualization, nationally competitive writing/editing, and advanced grant budget expertise. The purpose of this dynamic, pre-award leadership position is to build and increase University grant revenue, quality, and capacity on ATSU's MO (Kirksville and St. Louis) campuses, emerging CA campus, and beyond, by providing SP guidance and grants development expertise to KCOM, CGHS, MOSDOH, ATSRI, Museum of Osteopathic Medicine, and other MO campus and University-wide departments/divisions. Specifically, the primary function is to lead and supervise the MO campus pre-award team (consisting of proposal development specialists) to achieve greater benchmarks in SP grant awards, funding levels, quality/reviewer scores, and project-related outcomes; helping to advance ATSU's mission, vision, and strategic directions via extramural funding. The position’s major responsibility is to lead all pre-award efforts on the MO Campus, while providing backup to other SP service audiences in AZ and beyond. The director must support and uphold all SP standing operating procedures and processes, including preliminary budget review and quality assurance (QA) review, and work with colleagues to represent SP as a coordinated, cohesive, and proactive unit serving ATSU's best interests.

MAJOR JOB DUTIES

Administrative Responsibilities

  • Lead and supervise the MO campus pre-award grants team (consisting of proposal development specialists) to achieve greater benchmarks in SP grant awards, funding levels, and project-related outcomes.
  • Develop strong SP alliances with the deans and faculty/researchers of KCOM, CGHS, MOSDOH, the A.T. Still Research Institute, Museum of Osteopathic Medicine, and other University-wide departments/divisions.
  • Develop strong SP alliances and synergy, focused on pre-award development, with the ATSU CFO and Finance Office, as well as with all relevant/involved University officials.
  • Establish strong relationships with promising SP grant sponsors (at the federal, state, and foundation levels, etc.) to develop effective SP alliances with external grant sponsors/officials.
  • Lead and participate in the SP strategic planning, personnel planning/evaluation, and workload allocation processes—forming a quality circle of excellence with all fellow SP directors.
  • Lead/participate in SP/University policy development, review, interpretation, monitoring, and compliance.

Pre-award Proposal Development/Leadership

  • Research, analyze, and recommend to ATSU officials/leaders viable and promising grant funding sources that both match and advance ATSU’s mission, vision, strategic plan, and related academic/service priority areas.  Must command and utilize a University-wide perspective, and nurture internal and external partners/community collaborators. 
  • Analyze and incorporate current literature, industry best practices, and evidence-based practices into the design of competitive SP grant proposals.  Also, collect, analyze, and/or design relevant data sets, survey instruments, etc.
  • Build/increase SP grant revenue, quality, and capacity on the MO campus and beyond, by providing SP leadership and grants expertise to KCOM, CGGS, MOSDOH, the A.T. Still Research Institute, Museum of Osteopathic Medicine, and other MO Campus and University-wide departments/divisions.
  • Lead the MO campus pre-award development team and process, mentoring MO Campus staff and principal investigators/project directors (i.e., faculty) to increase the production of award-winning and nationally competitive extramural SP grant proposals.
  • Design and help negotiate, at the pre-award level, MOUs, MOAs, subaward/contractual agreements, etc. specific to advancing SP competitive grant proposals.
  • Lead SP proposal and document development efforts, serving as first author/editor of MO Campus extramural proposals, resulting in high quality, competitive, and funded proposals that surpass the external competition.

Post-award Functions

  • Collaborate and synergize with the SP post-award team and PIs, and advise on and help problem-solve issues on high profile post-award projects, ATSU remains competitive to re-apply for future follow-up grant funding. 
  • Oversee select post-award budgets, reporting, compliance, and dissemination functions.

Other Functions

  • Problem-solve and respond to SP routine pre-award and related special requests from internal and external audiences.
  • Convene and attend SP meetings, and serve on University and related community-based committees.
  • Represent ATSU and its SP department at relevant regional, state, and national meetings.
  • Prepare and deliver SP educational seminars, internally and externally.
  • Complete mandated Protection of Human Subjects and Financial Conflict of Interest training, sign SP confidentiality/non-disclosure forms, and complete all required ATSU employee training programs.
  • Join and represent ATSU in professional SP-related societies/associations (e.g., NCURA, SRA, NGMA, FDP, etc.).
  • Perform other SP leadership and problem-solving duties.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Must have a demonstrated and proven track-record of successfully securing and managing federal, state, and private grant awards (e.g., from HRSA, NIH, AHRQ, SAMHSA, states, foundations, etc.).

NOTE: BS/BA degree or above is desired, or a relevant combination of industry education/specialty certification (see below) and prior professional experience. Must have 5+ years of experience in pre- and post-award grantsmanship, and specialty knowledge/track record in research proposal development.

Specialty designation of Certified Pre-Award Research Administrator (CPRA®), Certified Research Administrator (CRA®), or Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA) is desired, but will allow/promote on-the-job certification, if warranted. [See Research Administrators Certification Council (RACC) at: http://www.cra-cert.org/whatiscertification.html.] Alternate desired certification is the Certified Grant Writer® Professional Credential (or equivalent), which is another industry standard certification for professionals in the field of grantsmanship. This certification demonstrates proficiency in researching grant opportunities, conceptual program development, competitive proposal writing, preparing detailed budgets for grants, and professional ethics. [See http://www.agwa.us/certifiedgrantwriterverification.]

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND CHARACTERISTICS/TRAITS

  • Advanced problem-solving/critical thinking skills.
  • Must be a conceptual, creative, innovative, and critical thinker who enables the University and its PIs/PDs to gain greater success in grantsmanship (seeking, winning, and successfully managing innovative grant awards from regional, state, and national competitions).
  • Outstanding/highly competitive writing, research, analytical, and document development skills.
  • Exceptional interpersonal communication and staff/project management and leadership skills.
  • Exceptional project development, deadline management, and related organizational skills.
  • Exceptional grantsmanship/grant-writing skills (with a proven track-record in designing award-winning background statements, survey/data sections, best-practice literature/need statements, project goals/measurable objectives, detailed and in-depth methodologies, comprehensive evaluation/assessment strategies, etc.).
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint), Zoom, and other relevant software to SP.
  • Advanced proficiency in Google and other digital platforms (email, calendar, groups, etc.).
  • Be able to lead and work well in a team environment as well as individually.
  • Have exemplary ethics, integrity, and work ethic.
  • Maintain and project a professional, upbeat demeanor.
  • Be detail oriented, yet also see the big picture.
  • Work with multiple schools, degrees/programs, and types of funding sources as well as all relevant content/programmatic areas.
  • Be able to give and receive constructive criticism from many directions.
  • Be a positive role model, team player, leader, coach, and teacher.
  • Show patience with faculty and individuals, yet be assertive in seeking out and winning viable grant funding.
  • Be goal and outcomes oriented.

Contact Information

Company
A.T. Still University
First Name
Lindsey
Last Name
Blake
Address
Phone
6606262790
Contact Email
hr@atsu.edu
Contact URL
https://www.atsu.edu/

Background Information

Education
High School
Years of Experience
5
Industries
  • College/University
Categories
  • Grants and Contracts
  • Sponsored Projects/Programs
Work Authorization
Authorized to work in the US
Security Clearance
None

Target Job Information

Salary
Job Type
  • Full Time