Pre-Award Specialist

The Pre-Award Specialist will work directly with faculty and staff as assigned in sponsored program proposal preparation that includes interpretation and compliance with sponsor and university guidelines, budget development and review, collaboration with other departments and institutions and review of completed proposal in preparation for submission.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Proposal Development - Partner with Principal Investigators in proposal preparation.  Review Request for Proposals (RFP) to ensure proper proposal preparation and determine if additional SPS or compliance involvement is needed (e.g., Contracting, Export Control, and Regulatory).  Analyze and interpret sponsor guidelines and make recommendations to Principal Investigators for compliance.  Work with Principal investigator to develop timeline and determine responsible personnel for proposal development activities.  Create and review proposed budgets and draft budget justifications.  Review cost sharing commitments and prepare necessary cost share forms.  Audit budget information for compliance with sponsor requirements and university policy including cost sharing.  Collaborate with other departments, institutions, and universities to resolve subcontracting issues relative to proposal submission.  Ensure that sponsor forms are completed accurately.  Assist Principal investigators with the electronic research administration system functionality.  Prepare electronic proposal submissions.  Provide assistance to other Pre-Award Specialists as needed.
• Proposal Review - Review and analyze completed proposal in preparation for submission.  Assure that the proposal meets all sponsor and university guidelines.  Audit budget, budget justification, subcontract, and cost sharing documentation.  Reconcile discrepancies as needed.  Initiate proposal certifications and required approvals in the electronic research administration system.
• Pre-Award Outreach and Liaison - Serve as a key resource to Principal Investigators in all matters related to University policies for proposal development and submission.  Interpret sponsor policies and regulations and make recommendations of impact on pre-award process.  Communicate changes in sponsor forms and validation rules.  Assure that sponsor specific reference materials are current.  Maintain liaison relationships with sponsor officials.  Communicate and collaborate with SPS post-award team to facilitate smooth transition from proposal to award.  Provide ad hoc training for pre-award process as needed for faculty and staff.
• Other - Coordinate and/or assist with other activities, special projects, and reports as requested by the Pre-Award Manager, Assistant Director, or Director.

• Bachelor's degree
• Two or more years of experience in research administration, business administration, accounting, or related experience
• Ability to meet deadlines, strong attention to detail, and a focus on superior customer service
• Ability to analyze, interpret and implement University policies and procedures
• Excellent communication, planning, problem-solving, analytical, project management and customer service skills
• Ability to manage a consistent high-volume workload in a deadline driven environment
• Ability to build work relationships among a diverse workforce at all levels
• Must possess a learning orientation to changing technology impacting business processes
• Personal computer and related software skills, e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, database, data inquiry, Internet, etc.

• Degree in Business, Management or a related field of study
• Business Services or Sponsored Program Services experience
• Certified Pre-Award Research Administrator and/or Certified Research Administrator