Award Acceptance Manager

Award Acceptance Manager

Position Announcement

Proposed Start Date - 09/01/2026

Classification Title
- Legal and Compliance

Rank - N
- No Rank

Working Title
- Award Acceptance Manager

Department - 400401 - SPA Sponsored Projects Office

Position Number - D93038

Representation - UU
- Unclassified Unrepresented

Renewable
- Renewable

Position FTE - 1.0

Tenure Status - N - not applicable

Position Summary

Portland State University is Oregon's most affordable public research university, located in the heart of one of America's most dynamic cities. Our mission to "let knowledge serve the city" reflects our dedication to turning ideas into action — in Portland and around the world. The city is our campus, giving students unmatched access to career connections, a vibrant cultural scene and hands-on learning experiences with hundreds of community partners.

More than 20,000 students from all backgrounds bring diverse perspectives to our classrooms and campus life, from the tree-lined Park Blocks to the bustling Urban Plaza and state-of-the-art science labs. We are proud of our world-class faculty, groundbreaking research and international reputation for excellence in sustainability, community engagement and innovation.

The Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA) unit within Research and Graduate Studies (RGS) serves as the central administrative unit at PSU responsible for assisting faculty and staff with activities related to the lifecycle of sponsored project administration. SPA staff provides administrative expertise and professional support to faculty and staff from proposal development and submission, through award negotiation and acceptance on behalf of the University, to award management and closeout.

The Award Acceptance Manager provides operational leadership for SPA's Award Acceptance function and is responsible for overseeing the timely, consistent, and effective review, negotiation, acceptance, documentation, and stewardship of sponsored research awards and related agreements. The position supervises a team of Grants & Agreements Specialists responsible for reviewing, negotiating, and accepting sponsored awards and research agreements; drafting and executing outgoing subaward agreements;

and documenting award information necessary to support institutional stewardship, compliance, and financial management. The Award Acceptance Manager establishes operational priorities, manages workload and service delivery, develops staff, resolves complex agreement issues, and promotes consistent application of university policy, sponsor requirements, and applicable regulations. Working collaboratively with SPA leadership and campus partners, the position serves as the University's technical resource for research agreements and leads operational improvements that strengthen research administration services and support the University's research mission.

The Award Acceptance Manager serves as an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) and Institutional Signing Official for sponsored projects, authorized to execute sponsor required certifications, assurances, representations, and other institutional approvals related to sponsored projects. In accordance with PSU's Delegated Signature Authority Policy, the incumbent also has delegated authority to execute sponsored project agreements and other authorized documents that legally bind the University to financial and administrative commitments.

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. We offer flexible scheduling options and, when operational needs allow, the possibility of limited remote work (typically up to one day per week) under an approved remote work agreement in line with University policy.

Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree and three or more years of related experience. A Master's Degree may substitute for a portion of experience requirements. Related experience includes:
Experience reviewing, interpreting, and negotiating sponsored awards and research agreements, including grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. Experience interpreting and applying federal and state laws and regulations, including experience in financial management of sponsored awards. Experience drafting and issuing subaward agreements. Working knowledge of federal regulations governing research (e.g., OMB Uniform Guidance, Federal Acquisition Regulations, and sponsor policies). Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Ability to learn quickly, apply creativity, understand complex processes and procedures, prioritize workload, set and meet deadlines, and perform well with a minimum of direct supervision. Demonstrated commitment to excellent customer service and focus on customer support.

Knowledge,

Skills and Abilities

Required to Perform the Duties of the Position:
Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to learn quickly, apply creativity, understand…