Executive Director, Sponsored Projects Office (0383U) #89660

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Departmental Overview

Sponsored Projects Office (SPO) is part of the Office of Research Administration & Compliance (RAC) and is responsible for all aspects of pre-award and non-financial post-award contract and grant administration. The SPO staff work closely with UC Berkeley faculty and Berkeley Regional Services staff to submit approximately 4,000 proposals, resulting in over 1,600 awards that total more than $800 million each year. These awards come from federal and state agencies, local and foreign governments, foundations, corporations, and other outside organizations. SPO has stewardship responsibilities for contracts and grants from all government, foundation and non-profit organizations.

SPO works to ensure that UC Berkeley is fully compliant with sponsor terms and conditions, university and campus policies, and federal regulations and requirements. Specifically, the office is responsible for endorsing and authorizing proposals, interpreting, negotiating, and accepting contracts and grants from federal and state agencies, foundations, and other public and private sources. Additionally, SPO initiates the set-up of sponsored project accounts and prepares, issues and negotiates sub-awards for collaborative research.

Position Summary

The Executive Director, Sponsored Projects Office (SPO) provides leadership, management, and oversight for SPO, which is responsible for analytical and financial support in proposal processing, contract and grant administration, and budget development, including pre-award proposal initiatives and management of non-financial post-award activities for federal, state, local and private sponsors. SPO provides forecasting, planning, and managing of research portfolios by performing some or all of the following: coordinating the submission of proposals, contracts and other agreements; reviewing proposals to ensure institutional compliance; negotiating, administering and monitoring contract and grant awards, including compliance with regulations and terms and conditions; financial management and reporting; and sub award/subcontract issuance and administration.

SPO is part of the Office of Research Administration & Compliance (RAC) within the Division of the Vice Chancellor for Research (VCR). Reporting to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Administration and Compliance (AVC RAC), the Executive Director of the Sponsored Projects Office (SPO Executive Director) is responsible for leading all SPO operations, including a staff of over 20 FTE. The Executive Director is responsible for the leadership and management of the team on matters relating to the recruitment, selection, retention, and development of SPO staff through two Associate Directors, and four Assistant Directors. The SPO Executive Director is responsible for providing leadership across the range of pre-and non-financial post-award functions and creating and implementing a vision of innovative operations, excellence, and service delivery. This position operates with broad authority; the role serves as the official chief negotiator for the university and has delegated signatory authority from the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor for Research, and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Administration and Compliance for external funding proposals, contracts, grant documents, and other agreements for sponsored projects; and proposal funding approval authority.

Application Review Date

Application review will begin on: November 28, 2026. The job is open until filled.

Responsibilities

The SPO Executive Director:

• Reports directly to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Administration and Compliance and is responsible for independently managing all activities related to governmental and charitable foundation sponsored projects through subordinate managers including implementing delegation of authority to request and accept extramural funding up to $10 million in annual direct costs per agreement. The role interacts with diverse groups of people, and the team will bring strong organizational and project management skills and a passion for advancing research.
• Provides leadership and vision to a diverse team of staff involved in review, approval, negotiation and administration of research, educational and public service proposals, grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, sub-awards and may include ancillary research agreements.
• Represents SPO and the campus research enterprise with the Office of the President units related to research, other collaborating research institutions and governmental and charitable foundation sponsors. Interacts with senior management, including the Assistant Vice Chancellor and if necessary, the Vice Chancellor, on controversial or sensitive contracting negotiations or policy decisions.
• Functions as campus expert for policies and procedures relating to sponsored projects issues and concerns. Promotes constant review and improvement of the administrative procedures governing sponsored research to ensure the highest quality service is provided to all principal investigators.
• Builds and strengthens relationships with deans, faculty, and other campus research stakeholders to understand evolving needs, identify opportunities to enhance SPO services, and establish clear and realistic expectations regarding service delivery.
• Interacts with the Vice Chancellor for Research Office and other administrative offices such as Berkeley Regional Services and Contracts and Grants Accounting to ensure effective communication, cooperation and collaboration. Serves as a research administration resource within and external to the campus. Represents campus and Office of the President on sponsored projects, cost, regulation and other key issues.
• Conducts high level analysis on changes in regulations, policies and procedures regarding external funding and research compliance. Assists Vice Chancellor for Research in formulating policies/procedures to administer changes. Develops campus positions and policies related to grant and contract administration in response to national and system-wide concerns.
• Ensures training and education programs are developed and implemented to administer mandated training and other training deemed advisable to enhance research effectiveness.
• Represents the department on university and community committees and responds to university needs, requirements and requests to identify priorities. Makes executive decisions and judgements regarding the resolution of highly complex, urgent, administrative and operational issues that may require a high degree of initiative and flexibility.

Required Qualifications

• Expert strategic planning and implementation skills.
• Excellent people management and leadership skills to assess, coach, and mentor teams.
• In-depth knowledge of state, federal, university and agency guidelines for research administration. Ability to stay up to date on changing policies and to advise and plan effectively and strategically.
• Technical competence in a broad range of research administration issues.
• Experience addressing research administration issues in a complex research environment.
• Specialized skills and abilities in balancing federal, state and local regulations, as well as campus/organization and/or system-wide policies and procedures with the goal of creating a facilitative research environment.
• Original thinking to enhance effective and efficient development of organization-wide programs.
• Proficiency in balancing complex regulatory requirements with practical needs and limitations.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships and work effectively with stakeholders such as faculty, deans, senior academic leaders, and other stakeholders in a complex, decentralized research environment.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with audiences with diverse educational and professional backgrounds. Strong ability to listen, clarify, and collaborate through excellent communication with diverse stakeholders, including researchers.

Education / Training

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training (Required)
• Advanced degree (Preferred)

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $160,600.00 - $240,400.00. The full pay scale for this classification is $160,600.00 - $320,200.00

• This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
• This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Misconduct

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.