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University of Texas at Austin
Senior Learning and Engagement Specialist, Office of Sponsored Projects
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Edtech.com's Summary
University of Texas at Austin is hiring a Senior Learning and Engagement Specialist, Office of Sponsored Projects. The role sits on the learning team of the office that coordinates externally funded research at UT Austin, turning changing research administration requirements into workshops, guidance, and training for the research community. The specialist partners with office leadership, subject matter experts, and campus stakeholders to identify what researchers and administrators need to learn.
Highlights
- Partner with Office of Sponsored Projects leadership, subject matter experts, and campus stakeholders to identify emerging learning needs, and relay stakeholder feedback and recommendations to leadership to shape learning priorities.
- Plan, coordinate, and facilitate instructor-led sessions for research administrators and office staff, including workshops, orientations, webinars, office hours, and cohort-based programs.
- Support the office's Learning Continuum and Learning Ambassador Program, and coordinate subject matter experts' participation in learning opportunities.
- Monitor sponsor, federal, state, university, and office policy and system changes affecting research administration, and translate them into practical guidance for the research community.
- Develop and maintain reference guides, FAQs, job aids, workflow documents, and templates, and coordinate periodic reviews so they stay aligned with current sponsor and university requirements.
- Build collaborative relationships across the UT research community and contribute to cross-functional projects that improve the office's learning services.
- Bachelor's degree and five years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, higher education, organizational learning, stakeholder engagement, communications, or program coordination.
- Demonstrated experience planning and delivering workshops, training sessions, or presentations, plus the ability to turn complex information into clear, practical guidance and to manage multiple projects independently.
- Preferred qualifications include sponsored research administration experience in higher education and knowledge of federal sponsor regulations and the sponsored project lifecycle.
- Pay starts at $74,000 per year depending on qualifications, for a full-time, fully remote position.
Senior Learning and Engagement Specialist, Office of Sponsored Projects Full Description
Hiring Department
Learning and Engagement
General Notes
The Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) serves as the coordinating office for externally funded research and sponsored projects at The University of Texas at Austin. The mission of OSP is to assist faculty and professional research staff in their efforts to secure and ensure proper stewardship of external funding. We do that by assisting research faculty and staff with the following: proposal review, authorization, and submission; award negotiations and acceptance; account management; close-out, reports, audits, collection; professional development and education; export control, and research compliance.
UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
- 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage
- Retirement contributions
- Paid vacation and sick time
- Paid holidays
- Fully remote
Purpose
Serves as an outward-facing member of the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) Learning and Engagement team by building collaborative relationships with the UT research community and translating evolving research administration requirements into practical learning opportunities and operational guidance. Partners with OSP leadership, subject matter experts, and campus stakeholders to identify emerging needs, coordinate educational initiatives, facilitate knowledge sharing, and promote consistent research administration practices throughout the sponsored project lifecycle.
Responsibilities
Learning Needs Assessment & Stakeholder Engagement
- Partner with OSP leadership, subject matter experts, and campus stakeholders to identify emerging learning needs, operational challenges, and opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Build and maintain collaborative relationships across the UT research community to understand evolving research administration practices and strengthen partnerships.
- Monitor trends, recurring questions, sponsor changes, and stakeholder feedback to identify opportunities for new or enhanced educational resources and outreach initiatives.
- Communicate stakeholder feedback, emerging issues, and recommendations to OSP leadership to inform learning priorities.
Learning Facilitation & Program Coordination
- Plan, coordinate, and facilitate instructor-led learning opportunities, including workshops, orientations, webinars, office hours, cohort-based programs, and other educational sessions for research administrators and OSP staff.
- Deliver engaging learning experiences using a variety of instructional and facilitation techniques that encourage knowledge sharing, discussion, and practical application.
- Coordinate subject matter expert participation to support high-quality learning opportunities.
- Support implementation and continuous improvement of the OSP Learning Continuum and related professional development initiatives.
- Support implementation and ongoing coordination of the OSP Learning Ambassador Program.
Sponsor Guidance & Knowledge Management
- Monitor sponsor, federal, state, university, and OSP policy, procedure, and system changes affecting research administration.
- Analyze operational impacts and collaborate with subject matter experts to translate complex requirements into practical guidance for the research community.
- Identify recurring questions, emerging issues, and knowledge gaps that may require new or revised educational resources.
- Support the development of consistent messaging and guidance related to evolving research administration requirements.
Learning Resource Development
- Develop and maintain operational guidance and educational resources, including reference guides, FAQs, job aids, workflow documents, templates, and other knowledge resources.
- Collaborate with team members to support the development and dissemination of educational content through a variety of learning and communication channels.
- Coordinate periodic review and maintenance of educational resources to ensure accuracy, consistency, and alignment with current sponsor and university requirements.
Continuous Improvement & Organizational Support
- Participate in cross-functional projects and strategic initiatives that support OSP operational excellence.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of Learning and Engagement services, processes, and resources.
Other Duties
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree.
- Five years of progressively responsible professional experience in research administration, higher education, organizational learning, stakeholder engagement, communications, program coordination, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience planning, facilitating, or delivering presentations, workshops, training sessions, or other educational programs.
- Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships and work effectively with stakeholders.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex information into clear, practical guidance.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize competing responsibilities, and work independently in a collaborative environment.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and other collaboration technologies.
Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Education, Communications, Public Administration, Higher Education, or a related field.
- Experience in sponsored research administration within a higher education environment.
- Knowledge of federal sponsor regulations, research administration policies, and sponsored project lifecycle processes.
- Experience facilitating workshops, presentations, or professional development programs.
- Experience interpreting and communicating complex policies, regulations, or operational procedures.
- Experience developing operational guidance, knowledge resources, or educational materials in collaboration with subject matter experts.
- Experience supporting organizational change, stakeholder engagement, or continuous improvement initiatives.
Salary Range
$74,000 + depending on qualifications
Position Details
Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40
FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA
Earliest Start Date: Immediately
Position Duration: Expected to Continue
Position Open To: All Applicants
Working Conditions
- May work around standard office conditions
- Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
Required Materials
- Resume/CV
- 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor.
- Letter of interest
Background Checks
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
Retirement Plan Eligibility
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
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