March 30th, 2026
John Muir Health
About the Organization
John Muir Health is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit health care organization. It includes John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek (554-bed acute care facility) , which serves as Contra Costa County's only designated trauma center and John Muir Medical Center, Concord (245-bed acute care facility).Together, they are recognized as top centers for neurosciences, orthopedics, cancer care, cardiovascular care and high-risk obstetrics. Other areas of specialty include general surgery, robotic surgery, weight-loss surgery, rehabilitation and critical care. John Muir Health also offers complete inpatient and outpatient behavioral health programs and services at our Behavioral Health Center (73-bed fully accredited psychiatric hospital) located in Concord. In addition, John Muir Health provides a number of primary care and outpatient services throughout the community and urgent care centers in Brentwood, Concord, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.
John Muir Health is a collaborative, patient-centered health care environment; listening, explaining and working together as a team, to help patients achieve their optimal health. We recognize those who exemplify excellence and reward them for contributing to our collective success. From individual to department to spontaneous recognition, Employee Suggestion Program rewards, Employee Success Sharing Program, and many more, we find unique ways to thank our employees for the outstanding efforts they make every day. Competitive salary and benefit package available.
Job Description
Position salary range: $166,258.00 - $249,386.00
Position reports to: Vice President of Philanthropy
If you are looking for a career in health care – we offer something better.
At John Muir Health, our core values of excellence, caring, compassion, and continuous improvement reflect in the work our employees do every day. Health care is one of the most exciting, rewarding, and fastest growing industries in the nation. Our commitment to hire the most talented caregivers goes to the heart of what we do best by placing patients first. Whether you are contemplating a new career or just need a change of pace, our goal is to attract and retain the best employees. Come join our team today.
Director – Sponsored Programs – WC Foundation
Walnut Creek, CA
Full-Time, Salary Range: $166,258.00 - $249,386.00 and includes a 10% Financial Incentive
Reporting to the Vice President of Philanthropy, the Director of Sponsored Programs provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all pre- and post-award sponsored programs and research funding activities across John Muir Health. This role ensures compliance with federal, state, foundation, and industry sponsor requirements while supporting physicians, investigators, and clinical and operational leaders in securing and stewarding external funding. The Director serves as a collaborative partner across the health system, advancing John Muir Health’s mission, clinical excellence, and research and innovation priorities.
Essential Job Functions Include:
Strategic Leadership & Program Oversight
•Provide vision, leadership, and direction for sponsored programs administration at John Muir Health, aligning services with organizational strategy, clinical priorities, and research goals.
•Develop, implement, and continuously improve policies, procedures, and workflows to support efficient, compliant sponsored programs administration.
•Monitor trends in healthcare, clinical research, and sponsored funding to inform strategy and institutional readiness
•Oversees and directly manages the Program Manager, ensuring alignment with sponsored program goals, providing strategic guidance, performance oversight, and ongoing professional development.
Pre-Award Administration
•Oversee proposal development and submission for federal, state, foundation, and industry-sponsored funding, including budgets, compliance review, and internal approvals. • Advise physicians, investigators, and program leaders on sponsor guidelines, funding opportunities, and proposal development strategies.
•Ensure timely, accurate, and compliant submissions in coordination with clinical, finance, legal, and compliance partners.
Post-Award Administration
•Provide oversight of award setup, monitoring, amendments, reporting, and closeout activities.
•Partner closely with finance and compliance teams to ensure appropriate fiscal management, reporting, and stewardship of sponsored funds.
•Identify and proactively address risks related to compliance, audits, billing, or reporting.
Compliance, Risk & Regulatory Oversight
•Ensure compliance with applicable regulations, including Uniform Guidance, FDA, HIPAA, and other healthcare-related sponsor and regulatory requirements.
•Support internal and external audits and serve as a key resource for regulatory and compliance inquiries.
•Develop training and guidance to support investigators and staff in meeting regulatory and sponsor expectations.
Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement
•Build strong, trusted relationships with physicians, investigators, clinical leaders, finance, legal, compliance, research, and foundation partners.
•Serve as the primary administrative point of contact with sponsors on sponsored program and contract-related matters.
•Collaborate with advancement and foundation teams, as appropriate, on philanthropic and sponsored funding alignment
Foundation Leadership
•Committed to continuous learning in belonging to help create, foster, and promote an inclusive work environment that serves our employees, patients, and community members.
•Cultivate a workplace where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents.
•Recruit, lead, and mentor sponsored programs staff, fostering a service-oriented, collaborative, and accountable team culture.
•Establish clear expectations, support professional development, and promote continuous improvement.
Qualifications Include:
Education:
•Bachelor's Degree - required.
Experience:
•7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in sponsored programs, research administration, or healthcare grants management. Required.
•Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state, foundation, and industry sponsor regulations in a healthcare or clinical research environment. Preferred.
•Proven leadership and people-management experience. Required.
•Experience within an integrated health system or academic medical center. Preferred.
Certifications/Licensure
•CA Driver License - Department of Motor Vehicles
Skills:
•Demonstrated experience promoting, or desire to engage in, belonging and inclusion initiatives , or lived or professional experience working with marginalized communities
•Well-developed problem solving and analytical skills with the ability to create solutions to complex situations.
•Demonstrated superior listening skills, diplomacy, and tact to build strong relationships with funders, and internal staff including physicians and staff.
•Excellent communication skills required, both verbally and in writing, with strong customer service orientation. Must have exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively and professionally with a wide variety of constituents.
•Accuracy and speed using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Must have advanced knowledge and high comfort level generating reports, documents, and budgets.
•Database management experience desired. Knowledge of The Raiser’s Edge or other fundraising or CRM software a plus.
•Ability to work well both independently and collaboratively with a high degree of professionalism.
•Ability to effectively multi-task and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
•Excellent reading, writing, research and editing skills with impeccable attention to detail.
•Strong work ethic with initiative to creatively solve problems, improve efficiencies and exceed expectations.
•Must maintain high levels of professional and personal integrity at all times.
To apply, please visit:
https://jmh.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/JohnMuirHealthCareers/details/Director---Sponsored-Programs---WC-Foundation---Full-Time---8-Hour---Days_JR0017113?q=JR0017113
All hospitals are accredited by The Joint Commission, a national surveyor of quality patient care. John Muir Health is an equal opportunity employer.
Contact email for applicants Karen.Iglesias@johnmuirhealth.com