Index/Position No.:                             24542/216400                                     Level 12

Position Title:                                      Associate Director of Sponsored Programs

Department:                                          Office of Research and Sponsored Programs Administration

Expectations for All Employees

East Tennessee State University pursues its mission based upon core values.  An employee's job performance must support and exhibit the university's core values:

PEOPLE come first, are treated with dignity and respect, and are encouraged to achieve their full potential;

RELATIONSHIPS are built on honesty, integrity and trust;

DIVERSITY of people and thought is respected;

EXCELLENCE is achieved through teamwork, leadership, creativity, and a strong work ethic;

EFFICIENCY is achieved through wise use of human and financial resources; and

COMMITMENT to intellectual achievement is embraced.

Function of Position

The Associate Director of Sponsored Programs is responsible to the Assistant Vice President for Research and Director of Sponsored Programs for providing budget development assistance to faculty, staff, and the administration in support of all sponsored program proposals and contracts in which the University is involved; reviewing all grant proposals submitted from the University for accuracy and compliance with the applicable federal, state, and local regulations as well as sponsor guidelines and requirements; providing leadership in electronic research administration and the electronic submission of grant proposals; and serving as the primary liaison with Grants Accounting and initiates the establishment of and participates in the on-going management of grant accounts. 

Essential Functions

-          Provides budget development assistance to faculty, staff and the administration in support of all sponsored program proposals and contracts in which the University is involved.

-          Reviews all grant proposals submitted from the University for accuracy and compliance with the applicable federal, state, and local regulations as well as sponsor guidelines and requirements.

-          Provides leadership in electronic research administration and is primarily responsible for the electronic submission of grant proposals.

-          Serves as the primary liaison with Grants Accounting and initiates the establishment of and participates in the on-going management of grant accounts.

-          Manages the operational accounts for the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, the Research Support account, Research Development Committee grant awards and other grant accounts originating from the Office of the Vice Provost.

-          Maintains the electronic sponsored programs database and is principally responsible for the generation of quarterly, annual and custom reports.

-          Provides training for departments on grant budgeting and proposals.

Secondary Functions

-          Creates and manages RDC accounts.

-          Provides indirect cost recovery estimates.

-          Assists with the Annual Student Research Forum.

-          Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Abilities

-       Knowledge of University policies related to budgeting including compensation, human resources, and travel.

-       Knowledge of the use of the Banner system.

-       Knowledge of general accounting principles and regulations including those that govern the management of federal funds.

-       Knowledge of the elements of research compliance with regards to the use of animals, human subjects, radioactive materials, and/or biohazards in sponsored research.

-       Ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff and administration both on-on-one and in groups.

-       Ability to use Blackboard and Microsoft Office suite of programs.

-       Ability to manage multiple projects and work effectively under deadlines.

Supervision Given and Received

Performs under general supervision. Determines own methods of performing assigned work.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in business related field. Training in Banner, eBUCS, electronic research administration (including Grants.gov, eRA Commons, IT Works grant module, etc.) Three years experience in a university research administration.

April 2008