Associate Vice President for Research and Sponsored Programs

Associate Vice President for Research and Sponsored Programs
(Administrator III)

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated hiring salary is $180,000 - $190,000 per year and is competitive and negotiable depending on the strength of qualifications. This is a CSU Management Personnel Plan (MPP) position.

The CSU system provides a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental and vision plans, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), sick and vacation time, and 15 paid holidays a year. Eligible employees are also able to participate in the fee waiver education program. A summary of benefit information can be found here .

Job Summary

As a direct report to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Associate Vice President for Research and Sponsored Programs (AVP RSP) leads and manages the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and will lead campus efforts to develop and strengthen capacity and productivity in trans-disciplinary research, scholarship, and creative activity across all disciplines in support of the University's strategic plan. The AVP RSP implements all University policies and procedures relating to research, including external grant and contract proposal development, grant and contract administration, research and regulatory compliance, internal research award programs, intellectual property issues, technology transfer, and economic development. The AVP RSP administers a variety of internal grant programs (i.e., intramural grants as well as center and institute funding); oversees both the pre-and post-award operations, is responsible for student research competitions; works in partnership with University Advancement; and as the campus chief compliance officer, assures currency of campus compliance policies on the protection of human subjects and prehistoric artifacts, animal welfare, intellectual property, conflict of interest, and scholarly misconduct. The AVP RSP has principal responsibility to lead, stimulate, and nurture the culture of and capacity for knowledge creation and discovery, and is expected to find and encourage new funding opportunities for faculty that are consistent with the mission of the University.

In carrying out these responsibilities, the AVP RSP works in consultation with appropriate deans, other academic administrators, appropriate faculty committees including the Academic Senate, and academic centers, as well as individual faculty and staff. The AVP RSP will facilitate the establishment of multidisciplinary teams pursuing and supporting funding opportunities. The successful candidate will work to develop and implement a process for translating research results to commercial products. The AVP RSP provides leadership in increasing total research funding and expanding the University's reputation as a premier innovation center in the region. The AVP RSP serves as University liaison to external public and private grant and contract funding agencies and seeks and manages externally funded University-wide projects as appropriate. The AVP RSP provides leadership in developing institution-wide projects focused on promoting student success and in identifying appropriate funding sources.

Other duties include responsibility for authoring and maintaining research policies and operating procedures for campus employees receiving external funds, generating reports focused on annual goals and productivity measures, assessing and evaluating the impact of implemented policies, monitoring legislation, and revising policies and procedures as necessary. The AVP RSP is charged with creating a climate for success in obtaining external funding and providing leadership to supporting units within the Office of RSP. The AVP RSP provides leadership for effective and efficient office activities, including staff growth and development, budget management, policies and procedures development, and communication with other internal and external constituents. The AVP RSP initiates and implements special projects at the request of the Provost.

Key Qualifications

• Ability to collaboratively develop and implement strategies to increase the number, quality, and competitiveness of grant submissions and awards aimed at supporting the overall advancement of units/departments, schools, and the University.
• Knowledge of the research life cycle and of how to provide support to faculty for scholarship and research in a university setting.
• Ability to oversee an operation that will efficiently support PIs in achieving their grant performance goals, adhering to laws, regulations, and policies relating to Human Subjects research, Animal Welfare, Intellectual Property, Conflicts of Interest, and other research compliance related activities.
• Possess a collaborative mindset and strong analytical reasoning, budgeting, and forecasting abilities.
• Knowledge of and experience with research compliance.
• Ability to work cooperatively and collegially with faculty, staff, students, the community, and regulatory agency personnel.
• Strong understanding of federal, state, and private funding agencies and their regulations.
• Familiarity with diverse funding sources and the ability to diversify funding streams to support various research disciplines and initiatives.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
• Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills: ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to interpret, communicate and apply policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
• Extensive knowledge about university research environments and infrastructure, current trends in technology transfer, and current federal and state research compliance regulations, policies, and practices.
• Proven ability to promote a working environment that rewards new ideas and innovation, builds collaborations, encourages teamwork, and promotes diversity.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others including building multidisciplinary research teams.
• Record of successfully planning, managing budgets, and administering significant grants and contracts.
• Demonstrated understanding of the role of shared governance in a University setting.

To view the full list of qualifications and job responsibilities, please click the Position Description button above.

Education and Experience

• Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree and a record of teaching, scholarship, and administrative service sufficient to be appointed to a tenured full professor position in the University.
• The candidate must have experience in externally funded grant acquisition, and contract and grant administration.
• A minimum of three years of successful management or academic administrative experience.
  • Preferred Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities:
    • Proven track record of effective leadership in a complex organizational structure, preferably in a research-intensive academic institution.
    • Demonstrated skills in an institutional/educational environment possessing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude.
    • Significant administrative experience leading a sponsored programs office in a university, industry, or government environment, and experience at an institution of higher education in both pre- and post-award.

Department Summary

Research and Sponsored Programs provides leadership and professional assistance to faculty, students and staff in pursuit of research and contract activities that extend Fresno State's goals and advance its mission.

Deadline & Application Instructions

Applications received by January 11, 2026 will be given full consideration by the search committee.

• Applications received after that date will be forwarded at the request of the Hiring Manager and/or search committee.

Please click “Apply Now” to complete the employment application for California State University, Fresno. Interested applicants must complete the application and attach the following: 1) their most recent resumé/vitae, 2) a cover letter that addresses their specific qualifications and interest, and 3) contact information for three professional references.

Fresno State

California State University, Fresno is one of 23 campuses in the California State University System. The University's mission is to boldly educate and empower students for success through our values of Discovery, Diversity and Distinction. The current student population is more than 25,000, including a large percentage of students with diverse and culturally rich backgrounds. The University serves the San Joaquin Valley while maintaining deep involvement with the state, nation, and across the globe.

Metropolitan Fresno, with a multi-ethnic population of over 527,000, is located in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. The campus is within driving distance of Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, San Francisco, Los Angeles, the Monterey Peninsula, beaches, sailing, lakes, and numerous ski resorts. Fresno boasts one of the most reasonable housing markets in California and offers a wide array of locally grown fruits and produce.

Equal Employment Opportunity Information

California State University, Fresno is committed to maintaining and implementing employment policies and procedures in compliance with applicable state and federal equal employment opportunity laws and regulations. Executive Orders 1096 and 1097 prohibit discrimination, harassment, and retaliation on the basis of a protected status: race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex (including gender identity), sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition and covered veteran status. Fresno State's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring, and retention. We are proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.

COVID19 Vaccination Policy

Per the CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Policy , it is strongly recommended that all employees who are accessing office and campus facilities follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications. Questions may be sent to hr@csufresno.edu .

Supplemental Information

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with California State University, Fresno. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Fresno State has identified as sensitive.

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 may be a "designated position" under the California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. This will require the filing of a Statement of Economic Interest on an annual basis and the completion of training within six (6) months of assuming office and every two (2) years thereafter.

Fresno State is a tobacco-free, smoke-free and vapor-free campus.

Fresno State is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions. (e.g. H1-B Visas)

Advertised: Nov 04 2025 Pacific Standard Time
Applications close:

• 

• Cal State University (CSU) Fresno

• 559.278.4240

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