Job Summary

Performs a variety of key tasks and supports externally sponsored programs across campus by facilitating the development, organization, and submission of proposals for external research funding. Works in collaboration with Sponsored Programs Accounting Office, funded Principal Investigators, external sponsors, and key university partners including VPs, Deans, Department Heads, and unit management.
Demonstrates ability to perform at the Research Administrator level (Assists in reviewing and certifying proposals. Handles budget, compliance, and administrative aspects of proposals, and advises PIs on submission process, May identify opportunities and assist in writing of proposals.). Proposals are broader, varied, and moderately to highly complex (e.g. multiple sub contracts, multiple faculty members and departments, proposal value of >$1M). Functions under limited supervision effectively carrying out proposal process independently. Provide ongoing guidance to less experienced SRS staff. Provides expertise and significant contributions on related SRS projects and initiatives.


Job Responsibilities

Major Responsibilities
Serves as key point of contact for both internal and external parties related to sponsor projects providing guidance and advisement on development of proposals, interpretation of sponsor requests, and university and sponsor compliance requirements.
Provide ongoing guidance and mentoring to less experienced pre award staff.
Reviews moderately to highly complex proposals (typically involving multiple faculty members and/or departments, multiple sub contracts, larger budget of >$1M) to ensure compliance with university policies, sponsor guidelines, and overall excellence in all proposal components. Acts as authorizing official for proposals. Assists faculty and staff with preparation of scopes of work and budgets for industrial sponsors and for sub awards/sub contracts with other institutions.
Provides administrative leadership for proposals such as maintaining organized documentation of communication and decisions related to submission, managing electronic research administration functions related to development and submission, and development of checklists and tools to ensure complete proposal packages.
Create budgets in agency specific formats that are compliant with sponsor and university rules and regulations.
Develops and maintains close working relationships with external sponsors, faculty, staff, department heads, directors, deans, and vice presidents.
Identifies and disseminates information about funding opportunities. Work with investigators to match expertise and fundable ideas with potential sponsors.
Assists faculty and staff with idea generation, project design and development, and assists in writing of proposal narratives.
Form and facilitate teams of faculty/staff and external partners to develop collaborative projects. Promote networking among faculty and staff within the university.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Provides expertise and significant contributions on related pre award and SRS projects and initiatives. Assists with process improvements, development of standard operating procedures, and assessments to identify what services need to be developed or elaborated to support research growth.
Conduct meetings and seminars with faculty/staff to help develop sponsor relationships, proposal writing, budgeting, and project evaluation strategies.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Education/Experience:
Bachelor’s degree
4 years of related experience
An equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
Ability to review and edit proposals for content and compliance issues.
Skill in budget development.
Familiarity with contractual terminology
Ability to manage multiple projects
Ability to learn and effectively use award management software and related sponsor systems
Effective and efficient writing and communication skills
Ability to adapt to continuously changing sponsor guidelines, regulations, policies, and systems
Intermediate knowledge of sponsor agencies and their requirements
Ability to train, mentor, and serve as resource to less experience staff.