Senior Program Officer

Senior Sponsored Program Officer

The Senior Sponsored Program Officer (SPO) is an experienced professional position that provides institutional authority, central administrative oversight, and content expertise to faculty principal investigators (PIs) and department/college administrators on pre-and post-award management of externally funded grants and contracts from federal, for-profit, non-profit, and local agency sponsors.

This position is on the Health Sciences team and will be responsible for independently negotiating non-industry and industry flow through clinical trial agreements specific to this team.

The core responsibilities for this position include:

• Leading complex research administration activities for a diverse portfolio of faculty and research units, independently managing high-impact proposals from development through submission.
• Serving as an institutional authority for proposal approvals, sponsor submissions, and contract negotiations, including complex federal, international, and non-standard research agreements.
• Providing expert guidance on research compliance and regulations, interpreting sponsor requirements, university policy, federal and state laws, and industry best practices for researchers and university leaders.
• Partnering with principal investigators, colleges, and administrative leaders to support successful funding pursuits while safeguarding institutional interests and ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Mentoring and developing research administration professionals, providing coaching, training, and knowledge-sharing to build expertise across the team.
• Leading outreach and education initiatives for the research community, delivering training on electronic research systems, proposal development processes, and sponsored program best practices.

Skills and Competencies for Success

• Ability to manage multiple, shifting priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• Ability to write and interpret award/contract language.
• Analyze complex situations and decide appropriate steps for resolution and follow-thru.
• Excellent time management, follow-through, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including experience with public speaking and training others.
• Ability to provide exceptional customer service to all stakeholders.
• Ability to mentor and advise new and junior staff and take an active role in their training and provide guidance in solving complex problems.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated proficiency with electronic research tools and systems.
• Four (4) years of experience in a professional business capacity working in information management, compliance with policies and procedures, procurement, accounting, and/or financial management.
• At least two of the four years must include direct research administration experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Certified Research Administrator (CRA)
• Minimum of four (4) years of experience in central research administration in a university setting.
• Familiarity with Workday Financial Management Grants Module a plus. Working knowledge of federal or private agency sponsors, contract/grant regulations, and university policies.
• Demonstrated experience developing budgets and/or analyzing financial data.

Application Materials

• A resume is required to be submitted at the time of application to be considered for this position.
• A cover letter is strongly desired.

Salary

The salary range for this position is $70,100 - $91,600. The offer for this position will fall within this range based on multiple factors including internal equity, unit's available budget, and the candidate's qualifications.

Work Location

This is a remote position, preferably working from the state of Ohio.

Additional Information

Ohio State will not sponsor applicants for a work visa for this position.

Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge Overview

Join the Research Development Office within the Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge (ERIK) at The Ohio State University and become a part of a dynamic, forward-thinking team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of discovery and innovation. ERIK positions Ohio State to expand curiosity-driven research and creative expression, further develop our research community of faculty, staff, and students, and grow the innovation ecosystem to address big challenges and improve communities locally and globally.

We are seeking passionate individuals who are committed to making a meaningful impact through collaboration, innovation, and excellence. To learn more about our mission and work, please visit our ERIK website.

The Office of Sponsored Programs

The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), under the auspices of the Office of Research, supports the development, implementation, and coordination of sponsored research at the University from proposal development to project closeout. OSP provides a full range of research…