Pre and Post Award Manager

Pre and Post Award Manager

Company:
North Carolina State University

Job Location:

Category:
Sponsored Programs, Grants, and Contracts

Type:
Full-Time

Join the Pack! A community with nearly 8,000 faculty and staff, and 30,000 students. NC State is one of the largest employers in North Carolina, offering a large range of career opportunities. Visit us at https://jobs.hr.ncsu.edu/.

Location: Raleigh, NC

Essential Job Duties:
The Pre- and Post-Award Manager supports sponsored research activity for ORI and non-ORI clients by coordinating proposal development and managing the financial administration of sponsored projects. In this role, you will partner with faculty and staff to guide proposal preparation, manage project finances after award, and interpret university, state, and federal regulations governing sponsored programs. You will help ensure sponsored projects are administered accurately, compliantly, and in alignment with sponsor requirements through financial oversight, proposal coordination, and client consultation.

Key Responsibilities fall within the following 4 functional areas:

Sponsored Project Financial Management (Post-Award):

• Review new awards with principal investigators and staff to confirm understanding of award terms and financial expectations.
• Coordinate award setup, including salary distributions, cost share setup, and chartfield requests.
• Monitor project expenditures and financial activity to ensure allowability and alignment with budgets and project timelines.
• Conduct regular account reviews, approve transactions, and address discrepancies or compliance concerns.
• Support project modifications such as re-budgeting, no-cost extensions, PI changes, and subawards through the PMR system.
• Monitor project end dates and support timely and accurate award closeout in coordination with Contracts and Grants.

Proposal Development and Pre-Award Administration:

• Review sponsor guidelines and provide guidance to faculty and staff on proposal requirements.
• Assist with proposal budgets and submission materials.
• Coordinate proposal routing through internal approval systems and sponsor portals.
• Partner with other college research offices on collaborative proposals.
• Ensure proposals are submitted accurately and on time.

Client Consultation, Compliance, and Collaboration:

• Serve as a primary point of contact for ORI and non-ORI clients on sponsored programs administration.
• Provide guidance on university, state, and federal regulations governing sponsored projects.
• Advise on complex or unclear situations and coordinate with central offices to resolve policy or procedural issues.
• Communicate important compliance requirements, decisions, and updates to faculty and staff.
• Maintain strong collaborative relationships across departments and research administration partners.

Data Analysis, Reporting, and Process Improvement:

• Conduct financial analysis and spending projections to support project planning and compliance.
• Generate reports to track proposal activity, award status, and project timelines.
• Maintain internal tracking tools, schedules, and documentation related to sponsored projects.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, reporting, and service delivery.

If you are a detail-oriented research administrator who enjoys partnering with faculty, managing complex financial information, and navigating sponsored program requirements, we encourage you to apply.

Other Work/Responsibilities:
In addition to the core responsibilities of this role, there may be occasional opportunities to take on additional duties. This offers an opportunity to build on your skills, explore new areas, and gain a deeper understanding of the department's operations.

Minimum Experience/Education:
Bachelor's degree and one year of experience related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience.
All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Required Qualifications:

• Proficiency with business productivity tools (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Google Workspace) and the ability to quickly learn new systems and technology.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey complex information clearly.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment while maintaining organization, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Analytical skills with the ability to interpret financial information and support accurate, timely financial processes.
• Sound judgment with the ability to work independently, exercise discretion, and interpret policies and procedures.
• High level of integrity, dependability, and accountability in managing work and deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum three years of experience in pre- and post-award research administration.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) credential.
• Background working in higher education and managing multiple fund types, including state appropriated, discretionary, and sponsored funds.
• Demonstrated involvement in business process implementation or improvement initiatives.

Required License or Certification:
N/A