Director, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Sponsored Programs (R100098103)

Overview

The Director of Sponsored Programs provides leadership and operational oversight for sponsored research activities within Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. This role is responsible for executing strategic priorities, integrating pre-award and post-award functions, and ensuring compliant, efficient, and high-quality support across the full lifecycle of sponsored funding.

Leadership and Organizational Oversight

• Provide day-to-day leadership of the Sponsored Programs Office.

• Lead and integrate Pre-Award and Post-Award functions to deliver coordinated and consistent operational support across the research lifecycle.

• Supervise and mentor functional leaders, establishing clear expectations, accountability, and performance standards.

• Identify and escalate operational risks, resource constraints, and compliance concerns, with recommendations for resolution.

• Coordinate operational alignment with institutional partners (e.g., Office of Research Administration, Finance, HR) to support effective execution of sponsored programs activities.

Operational Strategy and Performance Management

• Implement strategic and operational priorities established by Cancer Center leadership across sponsored programs.

• Define, monitor, and report on key performance indicators for pre-award activities, including submission timeliness, proposal volume, award success rates, and proposal issues and corrections, to ensure efficient, consistent, and high-quality proposal development across the Cancer Center.

• Define, monitor, and report on key performance indicators for post-award activities, including timeliness of award setup, expenditure management relative to project timelines, financial reporting accuracy, subrecipient monitoring, volume of cost transfers and payroll allocation adjustments, and closeout performance, to ensure effective, compliant, and high-quality award management.

• Translate performance data into actionable process improvements and operational enhancements.

• Ensure appropriate staffing models, workload distribution, and resource planning to support a high-volume, complex research portfolio.

• Oversee the implementation and optimization of systems, tools, and workflows supporting sponsored research administration.

Pre-Award and Post-Award Oversight

• Establish and maintain operational frameworks to support the effective development, review, and submission of grant and contract proposals.

• Ensure consistent execution of sponsor and institutional requirements through standardized processes, quality controls, and team-level accountability.

• Provide oversight of complex, multi-component proposals, including program project, training, and center-level submissions.

• Support identification and dissemination of funding opportunities aligned with Cancer Center priorities.

• Provide oversight and accountability for post-award financial management processes, including budget implementation, expenditure monitoring relative to project timelines, financial reporting accuracy, subrecipient oversight, and project closeout.

• Ensure consistent execution of sponsor and institutional requirements through standardized processes, internal controls, and team-level accountability.

• Ensure effective coordination and handoffs between Pre-Award and Post-Award functions across the project lifecycle.

Policy, Risk Management, and Institutional Alignment

• Develop and implement policies, procedures, and internal controls to strengthen compliance and operational consistency.

• Lead internal reviews and support institutional readiness for audits, site visits, and sponsor evaluations.

• Serve as an operational liaison with institutional stakeholders and external sponsors, as appropriate.

• Provide input to leadership on emerging risks, compliance trends, and operational impacts related to sponsored research.

Training and Communication

• Ensure the development and delivery of training, guidance, and communications related to sponsored programs processes and requirements.

• Promote a service-oriented approach to faculty and research teams, ensuring consistent and high-quality administrative support across the Cancer Center.

Certification and Licensing:

• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) certification preferred.

Experience:

• 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, including supervisory experience.

• Deep knowledge of federal regulations (e.g., NIH, DOD), Uniform Guidance, and institutional compliance frameworks.

• Demonstrated success in managing complex teams and sponsored research portfolios.

Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes:

• Experience in an academic medical center or NCI-designated cancer center preferred.

• Familiarity with enterprise systems such as Huron Research Suite, Workday, and eRA Commons.