Job description
Position Number: 000021
Recruitment Range: $62,000-$68,000
Work Schedule and Hours
Typical hours are Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with occasional time on evenings and weekends as needed to meet the needs of the department.
Months per Year: 12 Months
Position Summary
The Associate Director of Sponsored Programs is the primary person at UNC Asheville identified with sponsored research/grants administration. He/she provides assistance to many campus entities (all of academic Affairs personnel, University Advancement, NC Center for Health and Wellness, Chancellors staff, University Legal Counsel, and Senior Staff) on a variety of topics and issues. In addition to grants preparation, submittal, and awards, he/she is responsible for all compliance, conflict of interest, and export controls issues related to sponsored programs and University property. This work is done independently and requires a high-level of knowledge and experience.
The Associate Director performs work relating to sponsored program administration, including negotiating, evaluating, and managing contract and grants, proposal review, and budget development and monitoring. This position advises principal investigators or project directors in preparing and processing grant proposals and reviews proposals for correct formats and general compliance requirements. Duties include identifying funding sources, advising principle investigators, institutional or agency officials and sponsoring agencies regarding contract interpretation and adherence to grant stipulations, ensuring compliance with terms and of contract pertaining to effort reporting, expenditures, and personnel actions, and maintaining records on all grants administered. Provides input into the formulation of university policies, procedures, programs, and services guidelines related to sponsored program activity. Serves as a liaison for externally funded activities between the campus, federal/state/local government agencies, and the sponsor.
Required Education/Experience/Skills
This position requires post-baccalaureate credentials: a master’s/professional degree in an appropriate field (e.g., information management, library science, business administration, business law), or a bachelor’s degree plus equivalent training (e.g., certificate(s)), and experience may also be considered.
Preferred Education/Experience/Skills
The preferred candidate for this position will have a Master’s degree and at least 3 years of progressive experience related to grants administration and/or sponsored programs. Prior experience in higher education is desired.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of federal and state regulations regarding grants administration and budget management;
- Legal knowledge to develop, review, edit, and recommend sub-award contracts;
- Training in, and knowledge of, export controls standards and issues, including: international travel of university personnel, use of university facilities by international guests, transport of equipment and documents across international boundaries, and documentation and licensing of all the above;
- Ability to master several types of online and desk top computer software, including: archival, data management, budgeting, scheduling, compliance, and personnel management;
- Knowledge of conflict of interest and conflict of commitment issues, and resolution strategies;
- Ability to develop and/or edit proposal budgets in conformance with funder specifications, and federal and state regulations; and
- Knowledge of Institutional Review Board (IRB) standards, issues, and training protocols.
- Ability to effectively use online portals for proposal submission for research funding.
Posting Number: E0542
Closing date: 02/09/2026
How to apply
The University of North Carolina at Asheville is committed to equality of educational experiences for students and is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. UNC Asheville will not discriminate against students, applicants, or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation*, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, or any other legally protected status with respect to all terms, conditions, or privileges of University-sponsored activities, employment, and the use of University facilities.
*UNC Asheville acknowledges and understands that the category of sexual orientation is not a protected category under Federal or State law and therefore can not be grieved beyond campus level.
