Director, Projects Administration

Director, Sponsored Projects Administration Overview

The Director of Sponsored Projects Administration oversees the operations of and manages staff within the office of Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA), the centralized administrative unit at Portland State University (PSU) responsible for University-wide administration of external funding received by the University in the form of grants and contracts for research and other scholarly activity. The Director provides oversight, strategic coordination, and integration of the University’s comprehensive research administration infrastructure supporting the entire sponsored project lifecycle.

This includes the centralized Pre-Award and Post-Award operations, as well as a centralized Departmental Research Administration function. The Director coordinates the seamless flow of activities across the sponsored project lifecycle—from proposal development through final award closeout—by establishing efficient, integrated processes and fostering a shared, compliant operational understanding across all teams.

The Sponsored Projects Administration unit, housed within Research and Graduate Studies (RGS), is the steward of sponsored funds awarded to PSU and the designated institutional representative with external sponsors. SPA staff manage the University’s adherence to funder requirements and policies and the terms and conditions of awards. SPA staff support proposal development, budget preparation, and submission; award negotiation and acceptance; issuance and financial management of subawards;

award setup and cash management; and administrative and financial oversight of awards as defined by the sponsor and federal regulations. By ensuring adherence to federal, state, and institutional regulations, as well as sponsor‑specific terms and conditions, SPA professionals mitigate risk, ensure fiscal integrity, and ultimately enable faculty and researchers to successfully secure and execute the grants and contracts that drive innovation and knowledge creation across the university.

This position is based at Portland State University’s vibrant urban campus in downtown Portland, where you’ll be part of a welcoming and collaborative community. Directors are expected to work on campus five days per week. Portland, Oregon, is an ideal place to call home, offering a unique blend of urban excitement and natural beauty. Imagine a city with a thriving foodie culture, craft breweries, and an innovative arts scene.

Plus, you’ll be minutes away from year‑round outdoor adventures—think hiking in the lush forests of the Columbia River Gorge, skiing on Mt. Hood, or cycling through scenic wine country. With a focus on sustainability and a famously relaxed, welcoming vibe, Portland offers a high quality of life in a truly distinct and vibrant Pacific Northwest setting.