Pre-Award Research Administrator

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Department: Col of Engineering and Computing

Classification: Financial Svcs Specialist 1

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary starting at $60k, commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The function of the Research Administration team, in the Office of the Dean, within the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC), is to support faculty in proposal submission, financial management and compliance of their research grants and contracts in an efficient manner, and with a customer-service focus.

About the Position:

The Pre-Award Research Administrator is responsible for managing pre-award activities for an assigned portfolio of grants and contracts for departments or centers within the College of Engineering and Computing using knowledge of grant and contract management rules and regulations, technical expertise, and analytical skills. The Pre-Award Research Administrator manages the day-to-day operations and objectives in support of the assigned portfolio, contributes information and ideas related to areas of responsibility as part of a cross functional team, and ensures effective and efficient workflow and adherence to quality standards for staff/program and self.

Responsibilities:

Sponsored Research:

• Follows and adheres to processes and activities related to pre-award function;
• Performs pre-award activities for a department or center within the College of Engineering and Computing;
• Pre-award activities include, but are not limited to, assisting faculty/PI in the development, preparation, and submission of grant and contract proposals;
• Ensures all applications meet agency and university guidelines and published timetables and deadlines, including management of the Just-In-Time process; and
• Ensures proposals are entered and routed in a timely manner for further review.

Pre-Award Support:

• Confers with PI and pre-award support staff at collaborating institutions to secure necessary subaward documents for proposals;
• Assists PI in the development of budgets and budget justification which includes proofing the budget for inconsistencies and ensuring accuracy;
• Reviews budgets for consistency with sponsor, and monitors compliance with agency and University regulations regarding submission; verifies all financial information to include application of the appropriate overhead rate for the project;
• Advises PI on administrative requirements in preparing proposal submissions;
• Advises PI on budget adjustments and revisions necessary to meet the sponsor requirements;
• Coordinates and reviews certain proposal elements (biosketches, current and pending, other support and facilities and resources) for consistency, accuracy, and completeness; and
• Reviews proposals for consistency with sponsor guidelines on budget, format, font size, and page limits excluding narrative content (obtains and reviews sponsor guidelines).

Proposal Processing:

• Monitors and facilitates proposal process through the routing process in compliance with university procedures and institutional signatures. Obtains signatures as needed; and
• Monitors proposal status and advises PI on requirements and deadlines associated with research protection protocols.

Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Experience creating budgets and working with stakeholders on revisions as needed;
• Experience reviewing documents and comparing them to requirements or checklists;
• Experience providing quality customer service to individuals in a professional setting;
• Fundamental interpersonal skills in a professional environment;
• Proficient in the use of computers with a solid working knowledge of MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
• Skill in providing effective customer service; and
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data and sponsor guidelines and formulate conclusions; learn changing technologies related to grants and contracts management; create high-quality written documents; proactively resolve issues in a timely manner; and work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related field;
• Experience in Sponsored Programs Administration or related field;
• Experience with Hyperion Grant Administration System;
• Experience reviewing grant solicitations from a variety of sponsors and determining required documentation for proposal submission; and
• Knowledge of federal rules and regulations relating to research grant and/or contract activity; University and College policies and procedures relating to grant and contracts activity; and University and College processes, systems, and offices related to and/or involved in grant and contract submission and management.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Pre-Award Research Administrator at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume.

Posting Open Date: April 23, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: May 7, 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes