Sponsored Programs Support Center Specialist-Senior (Pre-Award)

The Sponsored Programs Support Center Specialist - Senior handles pre-award duties for the departments in which they serve. This role is responsible for preparing grant proposals, contracts, and agreements to be reviewed by the institutional central Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), as well as responsible for the management of financial forecasting, and effort certification compliance. Under minimum supervision, this role is responsible for ensuring proposals and awards are compliant with laws, regulations, policies, and terms and conditions. This role provides high quality service, attention to detail, and excellent customer service.

• Facilitates proposal development, enters proposal into ERMS Grants proposal submission system, contributes to non-technical components of proposals, and processes proposals complex proposal submissions.
• Coordinates the routing of industry clinical trial budgets and agreements to the Clinical Trials Office and the OSP.
• Prepares and submits to OSP transfer grant applications for new incoming faculty.
• Partners with faculty and prepares budgets for proposal submissions, assists in the development of budget justifications.
• Develops uniform procedures to compile and catalogue sponsored account documentation in support of the grant submissions and initial project creation.
• Keeps current on applicable federal guidance on sponsored projects including OMB Uniform Guidance updates.
• Supports Principal Investigators (PIs) in understanding sponsored program administration, policies, and compliance on an ongoing basis.
• Determines subcontracting need and coordinates subaward budgets and documents for proposal submissions.
• Proactively identifies, recommends, and implements process improvement opportunities.
• Attends regular meetings, training sessions, and professional development workshops to keep current on policies and procedures relevant to position responsibilities, as requested and approved by the Sponsored Programs Support Center Specialist - Supervisor.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Advanced knowledge and understanding of the administrative and compliance components of a proposal, including: interpretation of standard proposal requirements, terms, and conditions; development of budget and budget justification; review and development of bio-sketches; review and consolidation of necessary subaward documentation; evaluation of compliance elements; evaluation of proposal administration components, such as facility and other resourcing needs.
• Advanced knowledge of applicable federal, state, and other sponsor regulations related to sponsored programs, especially the OMB Uniform Guidance.
• Experience working with sponsored program proposal development financial administration software applications.
• Ability to work independently in a team environment, take ownership of the resolution of problems, be flexible and accountable, manage conflicting responsibilities, prioritize tasks, and consistently meets both internal and external deadlines.
• Capability to work with all types of sponsored programs including training, public service, and basic science and clinical research.
• Attention to detail, problem-solving and ability to prioritize multiple projects and responsibilities to meet deadlines.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills, including experience examining and analyzing financial transactions to develop accurate reports, identify viable solutions.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• Master's degree preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

• Four (4) years of research administration, grant proposal, and budgeting experience is required (education can substitute up to two years of experience).

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION:

• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) is preferred.
• Pre-Award (CPRA) certification is preferred.