Portland State University, College of Urban and Public Affairs
Director of Sponsored Projects Administration
Portland State University, College of Urban and Public Affairs, Portland, Oregon, United States, 97204
Director of Sponsored Projects Administration
Join to apply for the Director of Sponsored Projects Administration role at Portland State University, College of Urban and Public Affairs.
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: 400401 - SPA Sponsored Projects Office
Position Number: D91351
Representation: UU - Unclassified Unrepresented Renewable End date, if applicable
Position FTE: 1.0
Tenure Status: N - not applicable
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 & 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
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, 40 hours per week
Compensation & Benefits The starting annual salary range for this position will be 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 Submit your application through the official posting portal. The start date is negotiable. Most application screening begins 11/10/2025.
Required Documents
Resume – outlining professional experience and education
Cover letter – describing your interest in this position at PSU (about one page)
List of three professional references – include name, title, company, relationship to applicant (e.g., supervisor), email, and phone number. We will not contact references without first notifying the applicant.
Contact Information Dawn Boatman
Assistant Vice President, Research Administration
Research & Graduate Studies
dboatman@pdx.edu
(503) 725-8306
Posting Close Date 11/10/2025
#J-18808-Ljbffr
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: 400401 - SPA Sponsored Projects Office
Position Number: D91351
Representation: UU - Unclassified Unrepresented Renewable End date, if applicable
Position FTE: 1.0
Tenure Status: N - not applicable
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 & 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
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, 40 hours per week
Compensation & Benefits The starting annual salary range for this position will be 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 Submit your application through the official posting portal. The start date is negotiable. Most application screening begins 11/10/2025.
Required Documents
Resume – outlining professional experience and education
Cover letter – describing your interest in this position at PSU (about one page)
List of three professional references – include name, title, company, relationship to applicant (e.g., supervisor), email, and phone number. We will not contact references without first notifying the applicant.
Contact Information Dawn Boatman
Assistant Vice President, Research Administration
Research & Graduate Studies
dboatman@pdx.edu
(503) 725-8306
Posting Close Date 11/10/2025
#J-18808-Ljbffr