Director of Contracts & Grants - Davis, CA, Job ID 81620

Director of Contracts & Grants - Davis, CA, Job ID 81620

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

Job Description

The Director of Contracts and Grants provides strategic and operational leadership for UC ANR's sponsored research administration, overseeing all aspects of contract and grant proposal development, submission, negotiation, compliance, and award acceptance. This position is responsible for ensuring UC ANR's sponsored projects are administered with integrity, accountability, and efficiency, while aligning with UC policies, state and federal regulations, and sponsor requirements. The Director fosters a collaborative culture, supports faculty and staff in securing extramural funding, and strengthens UC ANR's ability to deliver on its land-grant mission across California.

This position is a career appointment that is 100% fixed.

The home department for this position is Contracts and Grants Office. While this position normally is based in Davis, CA, this position is eligible for hybrid flexible work arrangements for applicants living in the State of California at this time. Please note that hybrid flexible work arrangements are subject to change by the University.

Pay Scale: $114,300/year to $167,600/year

Job Posting Close Date:
This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 10/21/2025.

Key Responsibilities:
40%

Operational Oversight

• Direct the pre-award lifecycle of sponsored projects, including proposal review, terms and conditions, award negotiation, and contract execution.
• Approves terms for acceptance.
• Ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance in the administration of federal, state, local, and private sponsor awards.
• Oversee export control, foreign engagement audits, COI disclosures, and research security program implementation.
• Manage workflow and staff resources to support high service levels across the statewide ANR system.

20%

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement a strategic vision for contracts and grants administration that aligns with UC ANR's mission and goals.
• Serve as the organization's subject matter expert for policies, regulations, and best practices in sponsored research.
• Partner with UCOP, UC campuses, government agencies, and industry to advance research administration practices.
• Anticipate emerging issues in compliance, research security, and sponsor requirements; lead proactive policy and process adaptations.

15%

Organizational & People Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of professional staff engaged in contracts and grants administration.
• Foster an inclusive and collaborative work environment that reflects UC ANR's Principles of Community and DEI commitments.
• Establish performance expectations, provide coaching and professional development, and conduct evaluations.
• Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, and retention for the Contracts and Grants Office.

15%

Training, Process Improvement, and Outreach

• Develop and deliver training programs for academics, staff, and administrators on sponsored projects policies, systems, and compliance.
• Champion implementation and continuous improvement of systems and tools.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, metrics, templates, and accountability measures to ensure transparency and efficiency.
• Conduct regular assessments of operations to identify areas for improvement and implement best practices.
• Represent UC ANR in systemwide, state, and national research administration forums and committees.

10%

Strategic Initiatives

• Support initiatives and workgroups, as well as other activities, that support the goals of UC ANR and of the AVP of Finance and Capital Planning.

Requirements:

• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in sponsored research administration, with emphasis on pre-award functions.
• Thorough knowledge of finance, accounting, business and systems operations and regulatory compliance requirements related to administration of contracts and grants.
• Strong knowledge of industry best practices. Advanced ability to implement and manage broad-based grant funding best practices and procedures.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively across the organization at all levels.
• Demonstrated service orientation, strong management skills, leadership skills, sound judgment and decision-making, critical thinking, and creative problem solving in a complex, decentralized environment.
• Strong skills using common desktop / web applications; understanding of research enterprise databases.
• Strong and effective verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Advanced ability to develop grant writing skills / development programs.
• Experience in a land-grant or higher education environment.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or equivalent professional certification.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University vehicle. Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability damage insurance on vehicle used is required. Reimbursement of job-related travel will be reimbursed according to University policies.
• The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check. This is a designated position requiring a background check and may require fingerprinting due to the nature of the job responsibilities. UC ANR does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities.
• As of January 1, 2014, ANR is a smoke- and tobacco-free environment in which smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes), is strictly prohibited.
• As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information, and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.
• Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

To apply, please visit: https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psc/ucanr/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&JobOpeningId=81620&PostingSeq=1&SiteId=17&languageCd=ENG&FOCUS=Applicant









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