Department Summary
The Office of Sponsored Programs & Research Administration (OSPRA) supports faculty, staff, and students in the acquisition and administration of externally funded projects and programs, the ethical conduct of research, and the development of internal and external research collaborations to advance the mission of the University. OSPRA's central vision is to significantly grow the portfolio of externally funded grants and contracts for Valdosta State University. This will be achieved by partnering with our creative and dynamic faculty as well as community partners and other institutions of higher learning. The overarching goal is to support faculty so they can expand their research portfolio, and all undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students can engage in a meaningful research experience mentored by our faculty.
Typical Allocation of Duties:
Leadership, direction, and supervision - 25%
Provide executive-level leadership and direction to other leaders within an area of the university. Assign, direct, and supervise the work of personnel.
Administration - 20%
Administer a major department, initiative, or unit with full authority of that area.
Subject-matter expert - 15%
Serve as subject-matter expert for a specific area for the university.
Department representative - 10%
Represent the University to external stakeholders at events and on various committees.
Manage budget - 10%
Develop, monitor, and administer a substantial budget of a department, initiative, or unit.
Compliance - 10%
Interact with federal, state, and local entities to ensure compliance with appropriate statutes and regulations.
Policy and Procedure - 10%
Establish and administer policies and procedures for department, initiative, or unit.
Supervisor Expectations:
University-wide strategic leadership: Responsible for developing and executing comprehensive plans to expand the University's grants and sponsored programs portfolio and supporting institutional strategic priorities.
Executive oversight across multiple functional areas: Direct and coordinate efforts across Procurement, Payroll, Financial Services, Internal Audit, and other units involved in pre-award, post-award, and compliance functions.
Full administrative authority: Responsible and accountable for the grants and sponsored programs function, including operational effectiveness and outcomes.
External representation and relationship management: Serve as a key representative of the University to local, state, and federal stakeholders and is expected to actively build and maintain those relationships.
Institutional subject-matter expertise: Function as the University-wide expert on grants, sponsored programs, and related compliance requirements.
Budget oversight and growth responsibility: Manage the department's budget and oversee the compliance of current grant funding (~$4.8M) as well as leading efforts to grow this portfolio significantly in part by cultivating relationships with external funding agencies; industries; foundations; local, state, and federal government sponsors; and other funding sources.
Regulatory compliance leadership: Engage directly with federal, state, and local entities to ensure adherence to evolving regulations.
Policy development authority: Overhaul and establish policies and procedures aligned with current institutional and system direction.
