Department
110305 - CALS Business Office
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Essential Job Duties
The Pre-Award Consultant serves as a trusted partner to faculty throughout the sponsored research proposal process, helping transform research ideas into competitive, compliant funding proposals. Working independently, you will manage a portfolio of departments while collaborating with principal investigators, department business staff, university offices, and external sponsors to guide proposal development from concept through submission. Your expertise in interpreting sponsor requirements,…
developing proposal budgets, and navigating university and sponsor systems ensures proposals are accurate, timely, and positioned for success. Your ability to exercise sound judgment, communicate clearly, foster productive partnerships, and remain organized under competing deadlines will be essential to supporting faculty and advancing the college's research mission.
Key Responsibilities:
- Partner with principal investigators and department staff to develop, review, and submit competitive grant and contract proposals that comply with sponsor and university requirements.
- Manage the pre-award activities for an assigned portfolio of departments, independently coordinating multiple proposals and competing deadlines.
- Interpret sponsor guidelines, funding opportunities, and university policies to provide strategic guidance on proposal preparation, budgeting, and submission requirements.
- Develop and review proposal budgets, budget justifications, and supporting documentation to ensure accuracy, allowability, and compliance.
- Coordinate proposal submissions through university and sponsor electronic research administration systems while monitoring timelines and resolving issues that could delay submission.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for sponsors and university partners during the proposal review and pre-award process, obtaining clarifications, approvals, and required documentation.
- Monitor proposal activity, generate reports, and communicate funding trends and submission outcomes to college leadership and departmental stakeholders.
- Build collaborative relationships across the college by providing responsive customer service, training, and guidance that supports faculty success and strengthens the university's research enterprise.
If you enjoy collaborating with researchers, solving complex problems, and helping secure funding that advances innovative research, we encourage you to apply. Your expertise will directly support the success of faculty, strengthen the college's research mission, and contribute to discoveries that make a meaningful impact locally and globally.
Other Work/Responsibilities
In addition to the core responsibilities of this role, there will be occasional opportunities to take on additional duties such as;
- Representing the departments and the College at University meetings.
- Takes an active role in professional organizations to enhance the resources, visibility, and reputation of the University.
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
- Knowledge of internal, state, foundation, and federal proposal submission systems (examples include, but are not limited to, RED, Fastlane, eRA Commons, Grants.gov, etc.).
- Ability to administer and/or manage a program with established guidelines and standards.
- Ability to make decisions independently, assess project needs, exercise judgment, discretion, and initiative in the development and interpretation of a wide range of administrative policies and procedures.
- Ability to work as a team as well as independently. Outstanding communication skills are vital.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department personnel, University and governmental officials, sponsors, and the general public.
- Ability to provide outstanding customer service.
- Strong knowledge of business administration and accounting practices, budgeting, and forecasting.
- Must be highly organized and flexible in managing workload.
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state, foundation, and other sponsored research proposal submission systems, such as RED, Grants.gov, eRA Commons, NSF Research.gov/FastLane, or similar electronic research administration platforms.
- Ability to interpret sponsor guidelines, funding announcements, and proposal requirements to develop compliant, competitive submissions and recommend appropriate courses of action.
- Knowledge of sponsored research administration principles, including proposal development, budget preparation, business administration, and applicable accounting practices.
- Working knowledge of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and sponsor regulations governing the administration of externally funded research.
- Experience supporting grants or sponsored research administration within a large public university, research-intensive institution, or similarly complex organization.
Required license or certification
N/A
Position Number
00043565
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