Associate Director - Sponsored Projects

Responsibilities

• Serve as the daily operational lead for proposal submissions and sponsored research support.
• Supervise pre-award specialists and administrative staff to ensure quality and compliance.
• Assist with complex proposal reviews, budget development, and interpretation of agency guidelines.
• Collaborate with faculty to identify funding opportunities and guide them through the submission process.
• Maintain internal systems, templates, and tracking databases for sponsored programs.
• Support contract and subaward preparation, including risk assessments and budget reviews.
• Lead internal training for faculty and staff regarding proposal development and sponsor requirements.
• Liaise with Post-Award, Legal Affairs, Compliance, and Finance offices to ensure smooth transitions and regulatory adherence.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in sponsored research administration, specifically in pre-award functions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state, and private funding agency policies (NIH, NSF, DOD, etc.).
• Experience with submission systems including Grants.gov, Research.gov, and eRA Commons.
• Proficiency in PeopleSoft and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) designation or willingness to obtain it within one year.

About the Company

Long Island University (LIU) is a premier institution offering a scholarly environment with the resources of a major metropolitan university. The LIU Post campus is a scenic, historic 350-acre estate located on Long Island's Gold Coast, home to diverse professional schools, award-winning programs, and Division I athletics.