Sponsored Research Development Manager

Overview

The salary range for this position is $8,666.67 - $9,187.50 per month depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable.

This recruitment is only open to current SDSU Research Foundation Central Staff employees. First review of resumes will take place on June 25, 2026.

WHO WE ARE

Established in 1943, the mission of the SDSU Research Foundation (SDSURF) is to support the research objectives of San Diego State University by helping faculty and staff find, obtain, and administer funding for their research and sponsored programs. SDSU is one of the top public research universities in the nation, furthering discoveries, interventions, and solutions that improve communities and change the world. SDSURF provides the full life cycle of grants services to faculty and staff to further their important work.

Our vision is to foster a culture of creativity and collaboration with integrity and respect for individuals that results in the delivery of superior service to support the university’s strategic aspirations.

Our core values

Service: We are a service organization that strives to provide superior support to the university community to achieve SDSU’s goals; we are committed to being professionally competent by setting high standards and working hard to achieve results; and we continually seeking to improve our skills and capabilities by valuing education and professional development.

Collaboration: We seek to actively engage with our stakeholders and employees to identify issues and design solutions, build strong relationships grounded in trust, openness, and inclusion and achieve the best results by taking pride in the accomplishments of our colleagues.

Innovation: We work towards inspired solutions to improve and adapt to emerging opportunities and challenges, creative ways to streamline and enhance our delivery of services through resourceful and proactive problem solving and strategic use of technology and reduction of obstacles.

Respect: We promote a culture where every individual is valued and treated with dignity, we honor open-mindedness toward different viewpoints and ideas and have a genuine appreciation for varied backgrounds, experiences, and ways of thinking.

Integrity: We are committed to act with the highest ethical standards, with honesty, integrity, and transparency, provide consistent and accurate information and value and respect all individuals.

WHAT OUR DEPARTMENT DOES

The Sponsored Research Development (SRD) department is the center of collaboration and support, focused on fostering the progress of impactful research and valuable projects. Our dedicated team of professionals works alongside faculty and staff, providing Pre-Award services and guidance of proposal development and submission. The SRD department plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of research.

Responsibilities

YOUR ROLE IN CREATING THE UNIVERSITY’S PRESENT AND FUTURE

Operating at an advanced professional level under the direction of the Associate Director, the SRD Manager is a vital member of the SRD and Sponsored Research Services (SRS) division leadership teams. In this role, you will champion day-to-day operations, lead a dedicated team, and manage a diverse portfolio of complex grant and contract proposals across federal, state, local, and private funding agencies.

You will use your specialized pre-award expertise to interpret intricate regulations, exercise independent judgment, and serve as a self-directed guide for faculty and staff. Beyond technical execution, you will maintain a "global view" of both the SDSU Research Foundation (SDSURF) and the University (SDSU), understanding how your actions impact the broader institution. Your professionalism, tact, and diplomacy will directly elevate staff morale, enhance business practices, and optimize service delivery for our research community.

THE WORK YOU WILL DO AND MANAGE

Leadership and Supervision 60%

• Team Management & Development: Oversee the selection, hiring, onboarding, and performance evaluation of development specialists and support staff; provide continuous feedback to foster professional growth.
• Operational Oversight: Direct daily workloads, assess staff proficiency for complex tasks, and establish long-term plans for department coverage.
• Technical Advisory: Act as the department's subject matter expert, guiding staff on advanced problem-solving, conflict resolution, and communication with Principal Investigators (PIs).
• Process Improvement: Partner with SRD and SRA management teams to lead strategic initiatives and special projects aimed at streamlining workflows and increasing efficiency across the SRS Division and SDSURF.

Complex Portfolio & Faculty Management 30%

• Advanced Pre-Award Support: Lead the preparation, budgeting, and submission of high-stakes, collaborative proposals featuring unique sponsor requirements and multi-performance periods.
• Strategic Advisory: Serve as a subject matter expert for high-volume Principal Investigators (PIs) on complex matters like cost-sharing, international activities, compliance, and subcontracts.
• Regulatory Compliance & Risk Mitigation: Review proposal budgets and contractual agreements to ensure consistency with sponsor restrictions; interpret vague policies using sound independent judgment to protect the institution from audit disallowances.
• Strategic Liaison & Negotiation: Communicate directly with funding agencies to discuss budgets, secure approvals, and negotiate award modifications; partner with internal specialists to ensure smooth project transitions to Post-Award (SRA).

Outreach and Promotional Activities 5%

• Faculty Engagement: Visit project sites, initiate meetings with new faculty, and deliver targeted presentations at college or departmental meetings to promote pre-award services.
• Training & Development: Lead specialized workshops for faculty and staff and recommend enhancements to ongoing departmental training initiatives.
• Institutional Collaboration: Participate in university committees and project task forces, and prepare content for Foundation reports, publications, and strategic communications

Professional Development and Other Responsibilities 5%

• Industry Expertise: Maintain comprehensive knowledge of CSU System policies, Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), and electronic submission systems; represent the division at outside professional meetings (NCURA, SRAI, AoA).
• Strategic Initiatives: Participate in long-range foundation planning, technology/system enhancements, policy development, and cross-departmental training task forces.

Qualifications

THE SKILLS WE NEED

• Regulatory & Compliance Expertise: Advanced knowledge of sponsor guidelines and federal regulations, including 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance) and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), to interpret complex terms and manage high-risk portfolios.
• Strategic Problem-Solving & Judgment: Exceptional ability to analyze data, anticipate institutional impacts, and apply independent judgment to find innovative solutions when clear regulatory guidance does not exist.
• Financial & Analytical Acumen: Strong mathematical and analytical skills with mastery of Excel to build, calculate, and present complex multi-source budgets to faculty.
• Communication & Diplomacy: Outstanding written and oral communication skills; highly skilled in negotiation and maintaining confidentiality to navigate sensitive situations with university leaders and external agencies.
• Collaborative Leadership & Mentorship: Proven ability to coach, mentor, and train staff, build strong partnerships across SDSU/SDSURF, and foster a positive, service-oriented team environment.
• Time & Project Management: Exceptional organization to independently prioritize workloads, manage special projects, and meet strict, multiple deadlines under pressure with tact and diplomacy.
• Technical Literacy: Proficiency in utilizing and sharing expertise on internal and external research information systems and accounting applications.

Experience and Education

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Business Administration, Accounting or related field, or 4 years of progressive responsibility in an institution of higher education, research institution or non-profit organization or related accounting experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of direct experience in the field of research administration.
• Two or more years of experience leading and supervising employees.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced experience working in research administration in either a pre-award or post award capacity.
• Previous experience supervising, coaching and mentoring staff.
• Demonstrates and applies a broad knowledge of governmental regulations, sponsor proposal guidelines and requirements, requirements and policies and federal regulations including 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance) and the Federal Acquisition Regulations.
• Experience in the use of InfoEd, Ellucian SCT Banner, and other technology tools.

WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
• Life and disability insurance plans
• Generous employer contributed 403b retirement plan. We match 200% on the first 5% of contributions, up to 10% maximum employer matching contribution. All contributions are 100% vested.
• Vacation and sick leave accruals
• 14 paid holidays and 1 annual personal holiday
• Hybrid in-office/telework arrangements
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Access to campus amenities, including Love Library, Aztec Lanes bowling alley, SDSU transit center, and a variety of coffee shops and eateries.
• Discounted Aztec Recreation Center gym membership and SDSU events
• Wellness workshops

HOW TO APPLY AND TIPS FOR MAKING IT THROUGH OUR HIRING PROCESS

You must apply through the SDSURF Career Page. Make sure your application is complete. Including a resume and cover letter is recommended. Respond to supplemental questions thoroughly.

WHAT OUR HIRING PROCESS IS LIKE

We work as fast as we can to make hiring decisions. However, it may take several weeks for all the parties involved to review your application. We keep in touch each step of the way and inform you of the status of your application.

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION

• The salary range for this position is $8,666.67 - $9,187.50 per month depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable.
• Hybrid Work Philosophy: We believe that a balanced approach to work—combining the flexibility of remote work with the collaborative energy of in-person engagement—creates the most effective and fulfilling environment for our organization. Remote work empowers individuals with autonomy, focus, and work-life balance, while in-office days foster connection, creativity, and shared purpose. Having at least two days in the office is essential to maintain strong interpersonal relationships, encourage spontaneous collaboration, and reinforce our shared culture. These in-person interactions help build trust, align teams, and spark innovation in ways that are difficult to replicate remotely. By embracing a hybrid model of two days in the office and three days remote, we enable both personal productivity and collective innovation, ensuring our culture remains strong, inclusive, and adaptable.
• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support.
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.