Description
Sponsored Programs Administration
This position offers flexibility to work fully on campus, hybrid, or remotely; however, the employee must live within a reasonable commuting distance of campus. Occasional in-person attendance is required for meetings, events, or other onsite needs with short notice.
This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.
The University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign is a public land-grant research university in Illinois in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana. It is the flagship institution of the University of Illinois system and was founded in 1867. The university serves the people of Illinois through a shared commitment to excellence in teaching, research, public engagement, economic development and health care. Faculty, staff and students share their knowledge, expertise and resources with residents in every corner of the state through public service and outreach programs.
Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) is a central service unit under the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, dedicated to supporting the University’s research enterprise throughout the full lifecycle of externally sponsored projects. SPA assists faculty and research teams from the earliest stages of proposal review and submission through award negotiation, setup, administration, and final closeout. The unit ensures compliance with university policies and sponsor requirements, providing expert guidance that enables researchers to navigate complex funding environments and focus on advancing their work. SPA is organized into pre-award and post-award sections, working collaboratively to deliver comprehensive support from proposal to project completion.
Job Summary
Provide strategic and operational leadership for Pre-Award sponsored programs administration at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Direct professional staff supporting externally funded research and related activities; ensuring compliance with federal, state, university, and sponsor requirements. Oversee all Pre-Award operations throughout the sponsored project lifecycle, foster a culture of innovation and excellence and provide advisory support to the campus research community to advance the institution's research mission.
Duties & Responsibilities
Work in close collaboration with the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation (AVCRI) and the Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) Directors to manage the institutional sponsored portfolio. Establish and maintain Pre-Award standard operating procedures for processing and records management, proposal submission, award negotiation, and subaward issuance to ensure efficient service delivery.
Interpret, develop, and implement policies and procedures related to Pre-Award administration, ensuring compliance with federal and state laws, sponsor regulations and University requirements. Monitor policy changes from sponsoring agencies, assess impacts to SPA Pre-Award and lead implementation efforts. Collaborate with the AVCRI to identify policy gaps, recommend improvements and/or changes to align with SPA’s mission.
Supervise SPA Pre-Award Associate Directors and/or Assistant Directors and oversee their management of operational teams. Conduct performance appraisals, approve leave, monitor workloads and address disciplinary matters. Support career development and provide guidance for effective team leadership. Work in close collaboration with the AVCRI and SPA Directors to ensure functional support and resources across the lifecycle is sufficient for SPA operations.
Oversee electronic research systems supporting Pre-Award functions. Evaluate administrative processes to identify opportunities for improvement, such as the integration of artificial intelligence, to streamline workflows and enhance efficiency. Collaborate with SPA Directors to implement integrated automated workflows across the sponsored project lifecycle. Lead Pre-Award data collection, interpretation and analysis to improve quality, inform strategic decisions and advance SPA and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation (OVCRI) goals. Respond to Pre-Award information requests and provide guidance as necessary.
Develop and implement Pre-Award focused training and outreach efforts for the institutional research community. Support Sponsored Programs and Research Compliance (SPaRC) activities and other relevant venues. Develop and present updates to these programs as needed as related to the Pre-Award operations.
Analyze and monitor federal, state and sponsoring agency policy and regulatory changes impacting the University’s research enterprise. Assess institutional impact, advise campus leadership and stakeholders on critical and/or sensitive issues impacting research administration. Assist in the implementation of new regulatory requirements, including the development of University policies and procedures.
Represent SPA Pre-Award at national, regional and institutional meetings. Serve as a delegated signatory for the University Comptroller. Provide leadership and direction with other duties appropriate for the position of SPA Director Pre-Award.
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree.
A minimum of ten years relevant work experience, including demonstrated leadership, organizational and administrative skills related to Pre-Award administration in a complex academic research institution.
A minimum of five years of supervisory experience or equivalent experience demonstrating the, ability to lead teams and individuals to develop and accomplish shared goals.
Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree preferred but a Bachelor of Science will be considered/accepted if accompanied by equivalent experience in research administration.
Ten years of research administration experience preferably at a large academic research institution.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Required: Comprehensive understanding about federal research policies, practices, and trends; demonstrated leadership skills that reflect a dynamic, collegial, consensus-building style; strong commitment to the development of high quality training programs for University staff; demonstrated administrative skills to organize and manage a customer-service oriented work environment that adheres to complex regulations and guidelines while developing effective internal research administration support; demonstrated leadership skills to identify and develop successful strategies to achieve organizational goals and objectives; highly developed verbal and written communications skills; exceptional interpersonal skills; strong analytical skills; effective mentoring skills and a commitment to establish a work environment that encourages personal growth and professional advancement.
Preferred: Demonstrate understanding and leadership in the development and enhancement of automated workflow/processes and systems that support the operation of sponsored programs administration.
Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close date. The budgeted salary range for the position is $145,000 to $165,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.
Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on Friday, January 23, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting and upload a cover letter, resume, and names/contact information (including phone number and email address) for three professional references. Incomplete applications and applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Leslie Lewin Reinhart at 217-333-0034. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.
Requisition ID: 1034151
Job Category: Professional and Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu
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