Classification: Research and Sponsored Programs Administration Professional III
Hours: Full-time / 40 hours per week
FLSA: Exempt
Anticipated Hiring Salary: $7,187* mo. (Step 7)
CSU Salary Schedule
*CSUMB provides pay scales representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for this position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, and CSU systemwide pay for comparable jobs.
Priority Screening Date: January 1, 2026
Recruitment Status: Open Until Filled
ABOUT CSUMB
California State University, Monterey Bay is a mid-sized university in California’s Central Coast that grants undergraduate and graduate degrees. Powered by an inspiring Founding Vision Statement, CSUMB is part of the nation’s largest four-year public university system, California State University, which educates nearly 460,000 students every year.
With a vibrant, diverse student body of over 7,000 students, CSU Monterey Bay is both a Minority Serving Institution and a Hispanic Serving Institution. Our staff and faculty transform students’ lives with a focus on student success and engagement through experiential learning, service learning, and a strong emphasis on multicultural and global perspectives. CSUMB’s sustainability goal is to be carbon neutral by 2030.
The university’s Strategic Plan prioritizes inclusive excellence through recruiting and investing in developing a diverse body of faculty, staff and administrators. Many appreciate living and working close to the shores of beautiful Monterey Bay, with easy access to recreational areas from Big Sur to Santa Cruz. Nearby opportunities for collaborative research include working in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Silicon Valley, and with colleagues at local research universities, including UC Santa Cruz and Stanford University.
As one of the 23 campuses in the CSU system, CSUMB offers excellent benefits, including access to below-market-rate rental housing on East Campus, and competitive salaries for faculty and staff. With proximity to the San Francisco Bay Area and San Jose, opportunities for faculty, staff and students are as endless as the shores of the nearby Pacific Ocean.
PURPOSE:
Under the general supervision of the Director of Sponsored Programs, the Research & Sponsored Programs Administration Professional performs advanced professional work in the development, negotiation, and administration of complex sponsored programs and research contracts. The position exercises advanced judgment and provides regulatory interpretation and strategic guidance across campus. In collaboration with management, this role contributes to the formulation, assessment, and continuous improvement of policies and procedures governing grants and contracts. The candidate serves as a campus expert and resource for faculty, staff, and administrators, ensuring compliance and excellence throughout the sponsored programs lifecycle.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Industry and Corporate Engagement
Collaborates independently, but collaboratively, with faculty, administration, University Advancement, and corporate partners to identify, pursue, and negotiate funding opportunities and applied research collaborations of significant technical and strategic complexity.
2. Faculty Partnership and Proposal Development
Serves as a senior resource and advisor to faculty, administrators, and staff developing externally funded proposals across all funding sectors. Exercises advanced discretion in interpreting complex sponsor guidelines, developing budgets, reviewing terms, and ensuring proposal compliance.
3. Award Management and Compliance
Independently reviews, and negotiates, award terms and conditions, including those involving intellectual property, data rights, or non-standard corporate contract language, ensuring institutional compliance and risk mitigation.
4. Integration of Funding Streams
• Help streamline administrative processes that support joint pursuit of grants, donations, and contracts across divisions.
• Contribute to tools and procedures that reduce friction in applying to different types of funders, especially where funding sources (e.g., corporate, foundation, and public funding) intersect.
• Participate in cross-functional planning with University Advancement, Office of Research, Academic Affairs, University Corporation, Student Affairs/Enrollment Management, University Corporation at Monterey Bay and Finance teams to promote efficiency and alignment.
5. Training, Communication, and Administrative Support
Designs, delivers, and leads comprehensive training and outreach programs for faculty and staff on advanced topics in research administration, compliance, and sponsor relations. Provides mentorship to junior staff and contributes to continuous improvement initiatives
Other Functions:
Performs other job-related duties and special projects as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Collaborates with faculty, college leadership, legal and other stakeholders to encourage proposal writing, develop proposal concepts, negotiate and finalize contract agreements including budget proposals.
- Collaborates with faculty, college/campus leadership, review and compliance boards, such as Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), Academic Affairs, Finance, and other stakeholders to manage grants and contracts terms (e.g. financials, effort, cost share reporting) and ensure university compliance with regulations and university policies, standards, and guidelines.
- Manages the financials for a portfolio of grants and contracts which includes formulating alternative solutions for complex and unique problem areas.
- Performs a broad spectrum of work. In collaboration with management, develops new and recommends improvements to grants and contracts policies, processes, and procedures. w In conjunction with management, creates and adjusts methodologies to meet changing regulatory and industry environments.
- Provides strategic input on grants and contracts program development and processes.
- Designs detailed grants and contracts training programs.
- May provide lead work direction to and mentoring of student employees and less experienced staff.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a related field and four years of relevant experience. Additional experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.
SPECIALIZED SKILLS:
• Demonstrated knowledge of industry-sponsored research agreements, including common terms, risks, and negotiation strategies.
• Understanding of the differences between philanthropic, corporate, state and federal funding models, and the ability to navigate their intersections.
• Strong consultative and collaborative skills, especially with faculty and corporate partners and other sponsors.
• Familiarity with federal and state compliance requirements (e.g., Uniform Guidance).
• Proficient in project coordination, budget development, and use of electronic proposal submission systems.
• Effective communicator with the ability to manage multiple timelines and adapt to evolving needs.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS/DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE:
• Experience developing or managing projects funded by industry, corporations, or philanthropic foundations.
• Understanding of intellectual property considerations in university-industry partnerships.
• Familiarity with CSU policies and systems (e.g., Cayuse, PeopleSoft).
• Experience working directly with faculty to develop complex or interdisciplinary proposals.
• Ability to build relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including researchers, development staff, and external partners.
• Commitment to the mission of a regional, access-oriented public university.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT & POSITION DESIGNATIONS:
- All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check (including a criminal records check).
- The person holding this position will have a duty to report to the Campus Title IX Officer information pertaining to discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and retaliation and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order EO 1095, EO 1096, and EO 1097 as a condition of employment.
- The person holding this position is considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
- This position has been designated as a sensitive position with access to and responsibility for detailed personally identifiable Level 1 confidential information about students, faculty, staff or alumni that is protected, personal or sensitive as defined in the CSU Information Security Data Classification Standards.
- This position is required to comply with confidentiality requirements outlined in the Department of Education’s Family Educational Rights and Privacy and California’s Educational Code Chapter 13 regarding sensitive student issues.
- This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). The position is required to participate in training at the direction of the Clery Director and must also promptly report allegations of reportable crimes according to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, its accompanying regulations; the California State Education Code, Chapter 15.5, of the Donahoe Higher Education Act, Section 67380; and the California State University system-wide policy, Code EO 1107.
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT:
Office environment with standard equipment and tasks. Position requires working at a computer and desk for extended periods of time. May require travel between campus offices and off-campus locations.
The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff remain our highest priority. While on campus, students, faculty, staff, and the community will be expected to follow all campus safety mandates.
BENEFITS/PERKS:
CSUMB offers a premium benefit package that includes outstanding vacation, health, dental and vision plans; membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS); and 15 paid holidays a year. For more information, visit Employee Benefits Summary. The University Corporation at Monterey Bay also provides access to affordable housing near main campus. The allocation of housing is subject to several factors, including availability, eligibility criteria, and specific program guidelines. For more information, visit: https://csumb.edu/corporation/employee-housing
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
For full consideration, applicants must complete the required online application prior to the priority screen date found at Careers at CSUMB. Application submissions received after the application screening date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University. Materials submitted become the property of CSUMB and will not be returned.
CSUMB is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions.
Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting Human Resources at (831) 582-3389 or emailing humanresources@csumb.edu. All employees must be eligible for employment in the U.S.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
CSUMB hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States and is an E-Verify employer. In compliance with federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics, you can view the notice of availability and access the Cal State University, Monterey Bay annual security and fire safety reports at https://csumb.edu/clery/asr-and-fsr-notices-availability/.
CSUMB is a smoke and tobacco-free campus.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
CSUMB is an Equal Opportunity employer seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. We value and celebrate diversity in all its forms and strive to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion. We consider qualified applicants for employment for their anticipated contributions and without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status, or disability.
