Job Description

The Director leads, manages, and facilitates pre-award research administration to advance Clemson’s research goals and institutional priorities. Reporting to the Senior Vice President for Research, Scholarship, and Creative Endeavors, the Director provides strategic and operational leadership for the Office of Sponsored Programs, working closely with faculty, staff, and administrators to support external funding while ensuring compliance with federal, state, sponsor, and university regulations and policies. The role coordinates pre-award activities in close partnership with research compliance and post-award functions, ensuring a seamless and integrated research administration ecosystem.

This is a rare opportunity to lead pre-award research administration at a Carnegie R1 land-grant university with strong momentum in sponsored funding, interdisciplinary collaboration, and industry engagement. The Director serves as a trusted advisor to senior research leadership and faculty, balancing strategic vision with operational excellence while strengthening policies, advancing systems and processes, and fostering a collaborative, service-oriented culture that supports researchers throughout the proposal and award lifecycle.

The successful candidate will join Clemson at a time of continued growth and investment in research infrastructure. This role offers the opportunity to influence enterprise-wide practices, lead complex negotiations as the University’s Authorized Organizational Representative, develop and mentor a high-performing team, and help position Clemson for sustained competitiveness in an increasingly complex federal and sponsor funding environment,

Opportunities and Expectations

Operations and Organizational Leadership

Provide leadership and oversight of the Office of Sponsored Programs in support of Clemson University’s research strategy and strategic plan. Oversee day-to-day pre-award operations, including proposal submission and award acceptance processes, staffing, performance management, and training. Partner with the eRA office to advance technology improvements and process documentation and continuously assess organizational structure and workload to respond to evolving research activity and sponsor requirements.

Policies, Procedures, and Regulatory Oversight

Work collaboratively with the Senior Vice President for Research to develop, implement, and refine policies and procedures governing pre-award research administration. Establish and maintain consistent processes for the review and negotiation of sponsored research grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and related instruments. Monitor changes in federal regulations and external requirements and recommend policy revisions as appropriate. Prepare reports, analyses, and position papers as directed.

Contract Review and Negotiation

Provide institutional oversight for the review and negotiation of sponsored research agreements, including grants, contracts, non-disclosure agreements, data use agreements, material transfer agreements, and other research-related instruments. Lead the resolution of non-standard or complex agreement terms in collaboration with the Office of General Counsel. Serve as Clemson University’s Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR).

Outreach and Collaboration

Communicate university policies and best practices related to pre-award research administration to faculty, staff, and administrators. Collaborate regularly with associate deans for research, the Office of General Counsel, the Office of Ethics and Compliance, and other campus partners. Serve as a primary institutional point of contact and AOR for external sponsors and organizations, including COGR and FDP.

Strategic Planning and Special Initiatives

Serve as a key member of the Senior Vice President for Research’s leadership team and contribute to strategic initiatives that strengthen the Division of Research and support research excellence at the highest level. Participate in planning activities that enhance research capacity, compliance, and institutional competitiveness.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field
  A minimum of five years of professional experience,including three to five years of experience in research administration.
• Demonstrated knowledge of pre-award research administration, sponsored programs regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work effectively and collaboratively with faculty, administrators, and research support units.
• Proven experience leading, supervising, and developing professional staff.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Doctoral or professional degree.
• Demonstrated leadership experience with measurable impact in university research administration.
• Professional certifications such as Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA).
• Experience serving as or supporting an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR).
• Experience in a complex R1 or public research university environment.

Application Instructions

Application materials should include:

• A letter of interest that clearly states the applicant’s qualifications for the position
• A current curriculum vitae/resume

Please submit full application packets (cover letter and CV/resume) at https://apply.interfolio.com/180911

Forbestconsideration,pleasesubmitmaterialsby March 20, 2026

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Clemson University is an EEO/AA employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to characteristics protected by applicable law including disability and protected veteran status.