Senior Learning and Engagement Specialist, Office of Sponsored Projects

University of Texas at Austin•Austin, TX

4d•Remote

About The Position

The Senior Learning and Engagement Specialist serves as an outward-facing member of the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) Learning and Engagement team. The role builds collaborative relationships with the UT research community and translates evolving research administration requirements into practical learning opportunities and operational guidance. The specialist 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. The position supports learning needs assessment and stakeholder engagement, facilitates and coordinates educational programs, monitors sponsor and institutional changes, develops and maintains learning resources, and contributes to continuous improvement and OSP strategic initiatives. The Office of Sponsored Projects coordinates externally funded research and sponsored projects at The University of Texas at Austin, supporting proposal review and submission, award negotiations and acceptance, account management, close-out, reporting, audits, collection, professional development, export control, and research compliance.

Requirements

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.

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

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.
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 varied 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.
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.
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 various learning and communication channels.
Coordinate periodic review and maintenance of educational resources to ensure accuracy, consistency, and alignment with current sponsor and university requirements.
Participate in cross-functional projects and strategic initiatives that support OSP operational excellence.
Contribute to continuous improvement of Learning and Engagement services, processes, and resources.
Perform other related duties as assigned.