Chief Officer - Sponsored Programs & Research Administration

About Us

As a comprehensive institution of the University System of Georgia, Valdosta State University (VSU) is a welcoming, aware, and vibrant community founded on and dedicated to serving our communities' rich and diverse heritages. Through excellence in teaching, basic and applied research, and service, VSU provides rigorous programs and opportunities that enrich our students, our university, and our region. As such, the VSU mission consists of three interrelated parts that includes a student mission, university mission and regional mission. The university is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity and citizenship. As members of this community and proud Blazers we strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University, as stated in the Blazer Creed and reflected in our commitment to the University System of Georgia's Core Values.

Blazer Creed

Valdosta State University is a learning environment based on trust and mutual respect in which open dialogue, vigorous debate, and the free exchange of ideas are welcome. The University is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity, and citizenship. As members of this community, and proud Blazers, we will strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University.

Civility - A Blazer shows courtesy and compassion as well as respect for the dignity of every human being.

Integrity - Each Blazer is responsible for his or her own actions, and our community is stronger when we contemplate the context of our decisions and uphold the principles of trust and honesty.

Citizenship - Every Blazer has an interest in the well-being of the community, and, therefore, a duty to stay informed, to make positive contributions, and to offer support to those who need help.

As a Blazer, we pledge to uphold the core principles of Civility, Integrity, and Citizenship.

Job Summary

Responsible for developing and executing comprehensive plans and providing administrative leadership in support of the overall strategic direction for the University. This position will ensure compliance with legislation, legal requirements and government reporting, and record keeping regulations at the state, federal and local levels.

Responsibilities

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.

Required Qualifications

Required Experience

Master's degree in a specified field and ten years (10) years of work experience in a related field is required which at least seven (7) years must have been in a supervisory role. Terminal degree and/or professional licensure, certification, and/or designation may be required in some areas.

Proposed Salary

Commensurate with experience.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Conditions of Employment

Applicants are required to provide:

• professional references with current contact information
• documentation of academic credentials
• employment history

Please note that during the search process, VSU reserves the right to:

• ask candidates who will serve in Positions of Trust to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment,
• view social media outlets, and
• remove job postings without additional notification.

Employment is contingent upon:

• successful completion of a background check investigation, including a criminal background check
• reference checks

Employment may also be contingent upon the job-based requirements if applicable for your position:

• satisfactory credit check
• successful completion of a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)
• pre-employment drug testing
• confirmation of credentials

After initial hiring, employees will be required to successfully complete all of the following training:

• New employee orientation
• VSU's Annual Compliance Training:
• USG Ethics Policy
• Conflict of Interest/Outside Activities Policy
• Drug Free Workplace
• Sexual Misconduct and Title IX
• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
• Motor Vehicle Policy
• Workers Compensation (new hires)
• Georgia Open Records Act (new hires)
• USG Cybersecurity Training (required twice yearly)
• Job-specific training such as: FMLA and Worker's Compensation, Budget Manager training, Purchasing Training (ePro & PCard), and Defensive Driving

Equal Employment Opportunity

Valdosta State University is an equal opportunity educational institution. It is not the intent of the institution to discriminate against any applicant for admission or any student or employee of the institution based on the age, sex, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation of the individual.

Background Check

• Position of Trust + Credit

Accommodations

If you are a qualified individual with a disability, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings, apply for a job on this site, or participate in the search process as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Catherine Wills, in the Office of Human Resources at croark@valdosta.edu.

Special Applicant Instructions

Valdosta State University may provide employment-based immigration sponsorship for select positions when consistent with institutional needs, University policy, and applicable law. Sponsorship is considered on a case-by-case basis and is not available for all positions. Applicants who anticipate requiring employer sponsorship now or in the future are encouraged to contact Human Resources early in the recruitment process with questions regarding sponsorship eligibility.

Clery Disclosure

The Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act requires institutions of higher education to publish an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR). The ASFSR includes crime statistics for the three previous calendar years of reported crimes that occurred on campus; in or on certain non-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by our institution; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and fire safety policies and statistics. The ASFSR is published annually by October 1 and is available online at: https://www.valdosta.edu/administration/finance-admin/police/documents/2025-asfr-final-draft-aa.docx.pdf. You may request a paper copy of the report by emailing openrecords@valdosta.edu.