The Senior Grants Pre-Award Administrator collaborates with researchers in the College of Science to prepare the administrative components of sponsored project proposals and act as project manager to ensure proposals are submitted in a timely and correct manner to sponsors.
As a member of the Pre-Award team, the Senior Pre-Award Grants Administrator works closely with the post-award team, faculty, and Northeastern Research Enterprise Services (NU-RES) to ensure a seamless, timely and successful proposal submission process. The pre-award team manages proposal submissions and follow up sponsor requests on behalf of the college and the PI. Acting with minimum supervision, the Senior Pre-Award Grants Administrator is an independent problem solver, who takes initiative to resolve questions and move processes forward.
The Senior Pre-Award Grants Administrator will support College efforts to create an environment of research excellence by acting as a leading thought partner to the Associate Director of Pre-Award to contribute to PI training sessions and materials on successful proposal creation and executing grant prospect research. The Senior Pre-Award Grants Administrator is a leading participant in outreach activities to educate faculty and administrators to improve the success rate of COS proposals.
Further, the Senior Grants Administrator will be tasked with acting as a subject matter expert and an expedited reviewer and advanced partner for complex, high-priority, multiple-PI or otherwise specialized support proposals. As a subject matter expert, the Senior Pre-Award Grants Administrator will also provide reinforcement support during high-volume periods for proposals outside their assigned portfolio. The Administrator will also be charged with proactively staying current on upcoming or recent guideline changes from major sponsors and providing trainings and other resources to impacted researchers.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree required
Knowledge of federal/university guidelines, policies and procedures
Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects in a high volume, deadline-driven environment
Superior attention to detail skill required
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision; meet deadlines; enjoy working in a fast-paced and challenging environment and interact well with all levels of university staff and faculty
Intermediate skills or better with Microsoft Office software particularly Excel required
Knowledge of federal web-based grants management systems, enterprise financial systems, query tools or grants management tools a plus
The College of Science maintains a strong culture of collaboration amongst our faculty and staff: successful candidates will demonstrate a respect for the work of their colleagues and a focus on achieving our shared goals in a highly collaborative manner.
Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities
Proposal Development and Preparation:
Provide support for proposal preparation and development; interpret sponsor requirements; ensure compliance with guidelines; and work with faculty to review budgets/ budget justifications and other administrative support documents based on various scenarios to ensure a successful proposal submission
Work proactively with faculty or other principal investigators (PIs) to set a timetable and deadlines for materials that keeps with College of Science, NU-RES, and sponsor policies
Verifies correct facilities and administrative costs are applied
Facilitate coordination of subcontract documents with external collaborators
Negotiate and facilitate time-sensitive requests in the award-making process
Ensure completion of proposals in the ePaws system as soon as possible after the proposal is submitted
Subject Matter Expert and Special Support Projects:
Act as subject matter expert and team lead for large-scale, multi-faceted, nuanced submissions
Serve as the designated, primary provider of special support on select grant proposals which are large, complex, of elevated importance to the college and university. This responsibility will involve more hands-on assistance with a larger group of high-level faculty across the college and university as a whole and provide a wide range of administrative tasks and project management work associated with complex proposals.
Training Support and Process Improvement:
Carry out administrative tasks needed to improve and maintain quality of pre-award administration such as record and tracker updates
Partner with NU-RES to maintain a database of pending, funded and rejected proposals
Working with Assistant Director, proactively seek out information on changing sponsor guidelines, then design and deliver effective delivery mechanisms (guides, manuals, training seminars) for all impacted researchers. Serve as key resource for faculty to quickly understand necessary information from agencies and sponsors
Team Backup, Other Duties as Assigned:
Serves as back up for team members as needed, or escalation point and subject-matter expert for other team members as needed
Provide special assistance for complex proposals or during critical deadlines
Other duties as assigned
Position Type
Research
Additional Information
Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.
Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.
Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
To learn more about Northeastern University's commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity.
Founded in 1898, Northeastern University is a private research university located in the heart of Boston. Northeastern is a leader in worldwide experiential learning, urban engagement, and interdisciplinary research that meets global and societal needs. Our broad mix of experience-based education programs?our signature cooperative education program, as well as student research, service learning, and global learning?build the connections that enable students to transform their lives. The University offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs leading to degrees through the doctorate in nine colleges and schools.