Assistant Vice President of Sponsored Programs

BASIC FUNCTION

Serve as a key member of the business operations leadership and grow the university’s external funding portfolio. Pursue grants and oversee sponsored programs in alignment with the university’s mission and strategic plan. Identify funding sources, oversee proposal development and administration, sponsored program agreements and contract negotiations with external agencies. Manage assigned administrative functions and projects within business operations, ensuring effective coordination, implementation, and follow-through.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee the management of policies, processes, and operations of the Office of Sponsored Programs and provide leadership, innovation, vision, and accountability for the management of all records, policies, and services that support institutional sponsored programs.
• Design, lead and oversee the execution of a university-wide public and private grants administration program in keeping with the needs, priorities, and competencies of the institution and its faculty and staff.
• Research and interpret funding opportunities and requests for proposals from government agencies and foundations to determine appropriateness for the university; evaluate and recommend how best to respond.
• Continually review and update information pertaining to changes in federal regulations, specific agency requirements, and procedures for administration of funded awards.
• Provide oversight and staff development and support in grant and sponsored program activities, including contract and subcontract preparation, negotiation, execution, administration, and compliance. Coordinate contract and agreement processes from initiation through execution and ongoing compliance, working with appropriate university offices and stakeholders.
• Confer regularly with the system-wide office of sponsored projects compliance
• Serve on institutional and system-level committees related to external funding including serving on the Institutional Review Board, Federal Relations Team, Conflict of Interest Committee, and Research Services Council.
• Provide oversight for integrity and accuracy of university sponsored programs.
• Provide strategic input and develop recommendations for the implementation of related technology applications in support of enhanced services project investigators, administrators, faculty, and staff.
• Work collaboratively with principal investigators and project teams to support the effective administration and management of sponsored projects, including project planning, coordination, monitoring, reporting, compliance, and resolution of administrative issues.
• Lead or coordinate special projects and assigned administrative initiatives, exercising independent judgment to identify needs, develop solutions, coordinate stakeholders, and ensure timely completion.
• Supervise, manage, evaluate, and develop staff within the office.
• Other related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Reports directly to the VP of Business Operations.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Hires new employees, schedules employee work hours and grants time-off, evaluates employee performance, develops, coaches and counsels employees, takes disciplinary actions, and provides recommendations on handling employee grievances and complaints.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of five (5) years of related work experience in higher education administration, sponsored program administration, grants management, or related field.
• Minimum of two (2) years working in a large and complex organization with a large portfolio of grants in excess of $10 million annually.
• Experience in understanding of Department of Education (DOE), National Institute of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation, or Economic Development Administration (EDA).
• Track record of office leadership in an institution of higher education.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree.

• Demonstrated success in leading, planning, implementing, and adapting to change.

• Fluent in understanding and effective use of information technology.

• Proven strong focus on the student experience and student success.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of trends, issues, and accepted practices relevant to the position.
• Knowledge of complex regulatory statutes related to government grants and contracts.
• Strong understanding of best practices in sponsored programs.

Skills:

• Candidate must have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as excellent

Scheduled Hours Weekly:

Budgeted Wage for this Position:

Exempt Status:

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Unit Determination:

Join the Vermont State Colleges System Team

At the Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS), our mission is grounded in empowering students and strengthening communities across Vermont. When you join our team, you become part of a dedicated, statewide community that believes in the transformative power of education — not only in the classroom, but in careers, lives, and local economies.

VSCS encompasses Vermont State University, the Community College of Vermont, and our System Office, with 12 centers, 5 campuses, and more than 10 additional learning sites across the state. Deeply rooted in our communities, we provide affordable, flexible, and innovative programs designed to meet the needs of today’s learners — from recent high school graduates to adult students reentering the workforce.

Through strong partnerships and a shared commitment to workforce development, we help build a vibrant, resilient Vermont. Our employees are key to this mission. We offer competitive compensation and benefits, opportunities for growth, and a workplace culture that values collaboration, diversity, and purpose.

If you’re passionate about education that makes a real and lasting difference, we invite you to grow your career with the Vermont State Colleges System — and help shape the future of our students, our communities, and our state.