Senior Director of Sponsored Projects Administration
Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
Job Description - Senior Director of Sponsored Projects Administration (2600108)
Senior Director of Sponsored Projects Administration
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree (foreign equivalent or higher) in Public Administration, Business, Research Administration, or a related discipline.
Seven (7) years of progressively responsible full‑time experience in pre‑ and post‑award sponsored research administration, preferably within an R1 or comparable complex research institution.
Comprehensive knowledge of federal grant and contract regulations (e.g., Uniform Guidance, NIH, NSF, DOD, DOE, USDA), as well as industry, foundation, and local government funding environments.
Demonstrated leadership experience overseeing diverse teams and managing operational functions in a multifaceted research organization.
Experience working with program officers and senior administrators across local, state, and federal agencies, with proven diplomatic and collaborative skills.
Strong budgetary, contract negotiation, clinical trial administration, and compliance oversight capabilities.
Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and analytical skills, with the ability to engage effectively across academic and administrative units.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree (foreign equivalent or higher) in Public Administration, Business, Research Administration, or a related discipline.
Experience with electronic research administration systems (e.g., Cayuse, InfoEd Workday Grants, Huron Click, Oracle EBS, SAP, Banner).
Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or comparable professional credential.
Familiarity with technology transfer processes, data‑use frameworks, and regulatory compliance in research settings.
Brief Description of Duties The Senior Director acts as an Authorized Organizational Representative with delegated authority to sign proposals, negotiate agreements, and accept awards on behalf of the university and its key partner, the Research Foundation for SUNY. The Director is accountable for establishing and driving the overall strategy, goals, and objectives for SPA, ensuring operational excellence, and maximizing institutional competitiveness for a growing research portfolio of over $325 million.
Collaborating across all academic, administrative, and clinical units, the Senior Director advances Stony Brook’s research mission and serves as a key strategic partner to the VP for Research, VP for Research Operations, senior leadership, directly impacting the growth and compliance profile of the university’s research enterprise.
Responsibilities include high‑level analysis on federal regulation changes (e.g., Uniform Guidance), setting university‑wide research administration policy, leading risk mitigation for non‑compliance and audit findings, championing a culture of high‑quality service, ensuring seamless integration between the university’s central administrative units, and serving as the primary liaison and advocate for Stony Brook’s research interests with major federal, state, and private funding agencies.
Institutional Authorization & Policy
Serve as an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) or delegate thereof, responsible for final institutional sign‑off and commitment on all grant proposals, contracts, and sponsored agreements.
Lead the development, promulgation, interpretation, and modification of organization‑wide policies and procedures governing sponsored research to ensure proactive compliance with federal, state, and university requirements.
Assess strategic risks of research policies and procedures to identify areas of highest financial and regulatory exposure and implement necessary internal controls.
Planning & Resource Management
Direct the establishment of overall strategy, direction, goals, and objectives of Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) and allocate the office’s annual operating budget and resources.
Establish, monitor, and report on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for all SPA operations to measure efficiency, cycle time, and service quality, reporting findings to the Associate Vice President and VP for Research.
Lead strategic efforts to optimize research operations and structure, including identifying and implementing best practices and technologies to enhance overall research productivity and compliance.
Serve as the primary high‑level liaison to the Research Foundation for SUNY/Stony Brook, ensuring seamless operational alignment and effective financial stewardship of sponsored projects.
Represent the university’s interests to senior administrators and program officers at major federal funding agencies, national associations (e.g., NCURA, SRA International), and peer R1 institutions.
Work collaboratively with University Development/Advancement to differentiate between gifts versus grants and ensure appropriate institutional administration for each.
Other duties as assigned.
Special Notes The Research Foundation of SUNY is a private educational corporation. Employment is subject to the Research Foundation policies and procedures, sponsor guidelines, and availability of funding. This is a full‑time appointment. FLSA Exempt position, not eligible for overtime provisions of the FLSA. Minimum salary threshold must be met to maintain FLSA exemption.
For this position, we are unable to sponsor candidates for work visas.
Due to U.S. Export Control laws and regulations, the candidate hired will need to be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or other “protected individual” (as defined by 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1324b(a)(3)).
Resume/CV and cover letter should be included with the online application.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Stony Brook University is committed to excellence in diversity and the creation of an inclusive learning and working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.
To request a disability‑related accommodation, call the university Office of Equity and Access (OEA) at (631) 632‑6280 or visit OEA.
In accordance with the Title II Crime Awareness and Security Act, a copy of our crime statistics can be viewed here.
Visit our WHY WORK HERE page to learn about the total rewards we offer.
SUNY Research Foundation: A Great Place to Work.
The starting salary range (or hiring range) to be offered for this position is noted below; it represents SBU’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Job Number 2600108
Job Field Administrative & Professional (Non‑Clinical)
Primary Location Department/Hiring Area: OR&I
Schedule Full‑time – Day Shift (8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
Posting Start Date Mar 27, 2026
Posting End Date Apr 27, 2026, 3:59 AM
Appointment Type: Regular
Salary Grade: E7
SBU Area: The Research Foundation for the State University of New York at Stony Brook
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree (foreign equivalent or higher) in Public Administration, Business, Research Administration, or a related discipline.
Seven (7) years of progressively responsible full‑time experience in pre‑ and post‑award sponsored research administration, preferably within an R1 or comparable complex research institution.
Comprehensive knowledge of federal grant and contract regulations (e.g., Uniform Guidance, NIH, NSF, DOD, DOE, USDA), as well as industry, foundation, and local government funding environments.
Demonstrated leadership experience overseeing diverse teams and managing operational functions in a multifaceted research organization.
Experience working with program officers and senior administrators across local, state, and federal agencies, with proven diplomatic and collaborative skills.
Strong budgetary, contract negotiation, clinical trial administration, and compliance oversight capabilities.
Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and analytical skills, with the ability to engage effectively across academic and administrative units.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree (foreign equivalent or higher) in Public Administration, Business, Research Administration, or a related discipline.
Experience with electronic research administration systems (e.g., Cayuse, InfoEd Workday Grants, Huron Click, Oracle EBS, SAP, Banner).
Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or comparable professional credential.
Familiarity with technology transfer processes, data‑use frameworks, and regulatory compliance in research settings.
Brief Description of Duties The Senior Director acts as an Authorized Organizational Representative with delegated authority to sign proposals, negotiate agreements, and accept awards on behalf of the university and its key partner, the Research Foundation for SUNY. The Director is accountable for establishing and driving the overall strategy, goals, and objectives for SPA, ensuring operational excellence, and maximizing institutional competitiveness for a growing research portfolio of over $325 million.
Collaborating across all academic, administrative, and clinical units, the Senior Director advances Stony Brook’s research mission and serves as a key strategic partner to the VP for Research, VP for Research Operations, senior leadership, directly impacting the growth and compliance profile of the university’s research enterprise.
Responsibilities include high‑level analysis on federal regulation changes (e.g., Uniform Guidance), setting university‑wide research administration policy, leading risk mitigation for non‑compliance and audit findings, championing a culture of high‑quality service, ensuring seamless integration between the university’s central administrative units, and serving as the primary liaison and advocate for Stony Brook’s research interests with major federal, state, and private funding agencies.
Institutional Authorization & Policy
Serve as an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) or delegate thereof, responsible for final institutional sign‑off and commitment on all grant proposals, contracts, and sponsored agreements.
Lead the development, promulgation, interpretation, and modification of organization‑wide policies and procedures governing sponsored research to ensure proactive compliance with federal, state, and university requirements.
Assess strategic risks of research policies and procedures to identify areas of highest financial and regulatory exposure and implement necessary internal controls.
Planning & Resource Management
Direct the establishment of overall strategy, direction, goals, and objectives of Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) and allocate the office’s annual operating budget and resources.
Establish, monitor, and report on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for all SPA operations to measure efficiency, cycle time, and service quality, reporting findings to the Associate Vice President and VP for Research.
Lead strategic efforts to optimize research operations and structure, including identifying and implementing best practices and technologies to enhance overall research productivity and compliance.
Serve as the primary high‑level liaison to the Research Foundation for SUNY/Stony Brook, ensuring seamless operational alignment and effective financial stewardship of sponsored projects.
Represent the university’s interests to senior administrators and program officers at major federal funding agencies, national associations (e.g., NCURA, SRA International), and peer R1 institutions.
Work collaboratively with University Development/Advancement to differentiate between gifts versus grants and ensure appropriate institutional administration for each.
Other duties as assigned.
Special Notes The Research Foundation of SUNY is a private educational corporation. Employment is subject to the Research Foundation policies and procedures, sponsor guidelines, and availability of funding. This is a full‑time appointment. FLSA Exempt position, not eligible for overtime provisions of the FLSA. Minimum salary threshold must be met to maintain FLSA exemption.
For this position, we are unable to sponsor candidates for work visas.
Due to U.S. Export Control laws and regulations, the candidate hired will need to be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or other “protected individual” (as defined by 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1324b(a)(3)).
Resume/CV and cover letter should be included with the online application.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Stony Brook University is committed to excellence in diversity and the creation of an inclusive learning and working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.
To request a disability‑related accommodation, call the university Office of Equity and Access (OEA) at (631) 632‑6280 or visit OEA.
In accordance with the Title II Crime Awareness and Security Act, a copy of our crime statistics can be viewed here.
Visit our WHY WORK HERE page to learn about the total rewards we offer.
SUNY Research Foundation: A Great Place to Work.
The starting salary range (or hiring range) to be offered for this position is noted below; it represents SBU’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Job Number 2600108
Job Field Administrative & Professional (Non‑Clinical)
Primary Location Department/Hiring Area: OR&I
Schedule Full‑time – Day Shift (8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
Posting Start Date Mar 27, 2026
Posting End Date Apr 27, 2026, 3:59 AM
Appointment Type: Regular
Salary Grade: E7
SBU Area: The Research Foundation for the State University of New York at Stony Brook
#J-18808-Ljbffr