Pre-Award Research Administrator

Join the VCU College of Engineering as a part-time Pre-Award Research Administrator and help advance innovative, externally funded research. This flexible position offers the option to work fully remote or hybrid while partnering with faculty to develop competitive grant proposals, ensure compliance, and support research that makes a meaningful impact.

Since its inception in 1996, the Virginia Commonwealth University College of Engineering has brought innovative, realworld engineering education to Central Virginia. Comprising five different departments plus the Dean’s office, the College of Engineering enrolls more than 1,700 undergraduate and 250 graduate students in several degree programs supported by approximately 600+ full-time, part-time, and student employees. As part of a premier research university known for tenacity, love of the city of Richmond, and commitment to opportunity and access, the College of Engineering values the significant and positive impact of our people and ideas in the promotion of regional and global prosperity involving research and life sciences.

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Sponsored Programs Office within the College of Engineering is responsible for providing pre-award and post-award administrative and financial management for more than $30 million in sponsored research expenditures. To support the College’s goals of increased external research funding, we are seeking a Pre-Award Research Administrator.This is a part-time opportunity with a highly flexible work arrangement, offering the option to work fully remotely or in a hybrid capacity. It's an ideal role for someone seeking meaningful work that fits around other personal or professional commitments. The Pre-Award Research Administrator provides administrative support to faculty, researchers, and academic departments in the development and submission of externally sponsored research proposals. This position ensures compliance with sponsor, institutional, federal, and state regulations while facilitating the timely preparation and submission of competitive grant applications. The administrator serves as a key liaison among principal investigators (PIs), sponsors, and the university's Office of Research.

The Pre-Award Grant Specialist will:

• Prepare budgets for federal, non-profit, and industry sponsored project research proposals and, continuation/supplemental funding proposals.
• Review, interpret, and apply sponsor and university guidelines for sponsored project research proposals. Review proposals for compliance in accordance with university and sponsor policies and guidelines.
• Clearly communicate sponsor and university policies, procedures, and requirements pertaining to sponsored project research proposals to faculty, staff, external collaborators, postdoctoral research associates, and students.
• Advise faculty and other research personnel on practical approaches for successful research proposal submissions.
• Request and review subaward proposal materials.
• Prepare proposal budget and administrative forms in compliance with a sponsor’s guidelines.
• Inform faculty and other research proposal personnel on issues pertaining to internal and external sponsored project submissions.
• Assist with completing and review for compliance Current and Pending/Other Support documents and Biographical Sketches.
• The ideal candidate is able to work independently and collaboratively with team members, faculty, and external parties. 

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Knowledge and work experience with sponsored project research proposal submissions. Must demonstrate preaward knowledge and an interest and willingness to learn the requirements of this position and acquire additional professional expertise.
• Experience drafting budgets and working with principal investigators on revisions as needed.
• Knowledge and work experience with sponsored award related federal laws, rules, and regulations. Familiarity with related Commonwealth of Virginia laws, rules, and regulations preferred.
• Capacity to draft clear budget justifications and other written materials, and accurate completion of administrative forms.
• Aptitude for interpreting and applying university and federal policies, procedures, laws, and regulations to assigned sponsored projects. Knowledge of OMB cost principles and Uniformed Guidance 2CFR200 is preferred.
• Excellent computer skills using MS Office with an emphasis on Excel spreadsheets and using Gmail. Capacity to use a variety of online internal and external systems.
• Ability to be precise, thorough, reliable, work independently, adapt to frequent changes in work assignments, and possess the ability to reason, think logically and analyze situations to achieve resolution of problems or concerns.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills are necessary.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills are required. Must have the ability to effectively and clearly answer inquiries of faculty, staff, and various customer groups (i.e., external sponsors). Ability to maintain effective communication with fellow sponsored program staff.
• Demonstrated ability to research, analyze, and evaluate all sponsor project budget data.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business or related field (or equivalent years of experience)
• 3 or more years of experience in pre-award support
• Understanding of OMB cost principles and Uniform Guidance 2 CFR Part 200.

Salary Range: $25 - Commensurate

Benefits: All VCU employee types are eligible for a wide array of benefits to support you during your employment at VCU. Consult the benefits website for information on benefits eligibility according to employee type.

FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Hours per Week: 28

ORP Eligible: No

Unit: College Of Engineering MBU

Department: Deans Office Engineering

Flexible Work Arrangement: Other

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Sierra Cloud
Contact Email: cloudse@vcu.edu