Director of Programs

Position: Director of Sponsored Programs
Position Information

Posting Number NC00841 Position Title Director of Sponsored Programs Division Academic Affairs Division Department Name Office of Sponsored Programs Position Type Staff - Non Classified

Position Overview

Rhode Island College seeks an experienced and collaborative Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs to advance the College's research enterprise and expand external funding in support of institutional priorities. Reporting to the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, this role provides leadership in grant development, research collaboration, and regulatory compliance across the College.

The Director leads all pre‑award sponsored program functions, supporting faculty and staff in proposal and budget development, submission, and negotiation, while ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations. This position works closely with academic and administrative units, external partners, and the Rhode Island College Foundation to identify funding opportunities, develop interdisciplinary initiatives, and diversify revenue streams.

This role is ideal for a strategic leader with deep experience in grant development and research administration who is motivated to build capacity, foster collaboration, and support sustainable, externally funded initiatives.

Primary Purpose

Work with the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs to lead, develop, and advance new research and Rhode Island College (the College) initiatives and grant proposals that build research capacity, facilitate interdisciplinary and community collaboration, support institutional priorities, and diversify sources of external funding. Provide pre-award support and training to faculty and staff in proposal and budget development, preparation, negotiation, and submission.

Lead and ensure College compliance with state and federal agency regulations.

Essential Duties

* Lead and support the promotion of campus-wide and community collaborations to identify and advance the College's institutional, research, and strategic initiatives.

* Serve, when needed, as the Vice Provost's liaison to initiatives and strategies with internal and external partners to advance institutional priorities and research capacity.

* Identify and cultivate funding opportunities, actively making connections with faculty/staff expertise and interest.

* Advance profile and knowledge of the College's research enterprise to internal and external audiences through online and print reports, publications and other means; report on research activities to College offices utilizing proposal/award information metrics.

* Direct all functions of the Office of Sponsored Programs.

* Serve as liaison to directors of non-academic programs or initiatives as directed by the Vice Provost.

* Work closely with the Rhode Island College Foundation to diversify revenue streams in support of identified initiatives.

* Lead and facilitate the development of interdisciplinary research initiatives and grant proposals at all stages; coordinate and align areas of College expertise and strength to create sustainable initiatives with long-term external funding.

* Direct and coordinate pre-award processes both within the College's Office of Sponsored Programs and between the office and other academic and administrative units whose functions interface with the creation, submission, negotiation, or management of institutional grants or contracts.

* Supervise the office's Grant and Contract Specialist in proposal development and submission, award set-up and notification, award modifications and extensions, and other pre-award activities.

* Ensure College compliance with all relevant federal and state regulations governing research activities.

* When necessary, develop and publish new college policies and procedures to address new compliance requirements.

* Serve as the authorized official on grants and contracts for external funding, representing the College to external agencies and sponsors.

* Assist pre- and post-award personnel in maintaining and improving grant management software.

Occasional Duties

Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs.

Required…