Job Details

Pre-Award Manager
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Position Number: 5098172
Location: Eugene, OR
Position Type: Sponsored Programs, Grants, and Contracts

Pre-Award Manager

Job no: 533506

Work type: Officer of Administration

Location: Eugene, OR

Categories: Accounting/Finance, Executive/Management/Director, Research/Scientific/Grants, Planning/Project Management

Department: Sponsored Projects Services
Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing
Salary: $82,000 - $92,000 per year; commensurate with experience
Compensation Band: OS-OA07-Fiscal Year 2023-2024
FTE: 1.0

Application Review Begins

April 1, 2024; position open until filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

With your online application, please upload a resume and a cover letter describing how you meet the minimum requirements, professional competencies, and any preferred qualifications. You will also be asked to enter the names and contact information of three professional references; candidates will be notified prior to contacting references.

The position is full-time and based out of Eugene, Oregon, however remote or hybrid work requests will be considered.

Department Summary

The Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI) promotes excellence in research at the University of Oregon. Research, both basic and applied, is fundamental to the mission of the University and is essential to Oregon's economic and civic vitality. OVPRI is committed to enhancing these efforts by providing administrative and financial support for sponsored programs, including identification of funding opportunities, proposal submission, research compliance, and contracts and grant administration.

OVPRI supports interdisciplinary research centers and essential core facilities and emboldens innovation and economic development through strategic partnering and technology transfer initiatives. The UO has a long tradition of interdisciplinary research that continues through the production of new knowledge and innovative solutions to society's grand challenges.

SPS works with the University community -- including principal investigators (PIs) and department grant administrators (DGAs), UO administrative officials, business managers and affiliated organizations such as the UO Foundation -- to provide services in both pre-award proposal preparation and clearance and in post-award grant and contract administration.

UO is making significant investments in its research capabilities and is anticipating that the research portfolio will grow significantly over the next five years. We are looking for a seasoned research administration professional to help us manage this growth while maintaining our high standards in operating research programs.

As part of an institutional commitment to streamline research support, SPS is part of developing a Research Administration Portal (RAP) and has been implementing Huron's research administration suite for effort reporting and award management starting in 2022.

Position Summary

The Pre-Award Manager reports to the Sponsored Projects Services (SPS) Associate Director for Pre-Award. The Manager will supervise, mentor and train the Pre-award Sponsored Projects Administrators (SPA) who perform critical Pre-award tasks across the application process of an extramurally-sponsored project, from inception of a proposal, to pre-award's administration, budget development/review, compliance review/audit, application submission, JIT (just in time processing) and Pre-award spending.

Core responsibilities of the Pre-Award Manager include day-to-day management of the Pre-award team including unit assignments and direct supervision of Pre-award administrators' workload and quality. The Pre-Award Manager will have some unit assignments and will act as a resource to the Pre-Award team on proposal management including, but not limited to compliance issues, process questions, and EPCS/RAP issues. The Pre-Award Manager will evaluate and mentor Pre-Award personnel and assist with the development and implementation of training as needed to ensure that work is conducted consistently and accurately across teams, ensuring a culture of service balanced with compliance, actively moderating and resolving any customer concerns. The Pre-Award Manager will assist the Pre-Award Associate Director in drafting, revising, and updating written standard operating procedures for Pre-Award functions and will provide Pre-Award metrics and other reports as needed to the Associate Director and/or Executive Director. The Pre-Award Manager will manage, lead, and complete special projects and other duties as required by the Associate Director and/or SPS Director or AVP.

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor's degree.

Five years of experience in the field of sponsored program administration.

Experience using federal rules and regulations, general cost accounting standards, and administrative rules as applied to sponsored program administration.

Five years of experience using an integrated fiscal accounting system.

Certified Research Administrator (CRA) certification or Certified Pre-Award Research Administrator (CPRA) certification, or ability to sit for the exam within one year of hire.

Professional Competencies

Demonstrable project management and organizational skills.

High-level attention to detail and follow through.

Ability to review, analyze, and update processes as needed.

Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, sponsors, and other stakeholders.

Recognizes the value of diversity and helps create an environment that supports and embraces diversity.

Advanced knowledge of and abilities related to interpreting and applying sponsor requirements, including federal regulations such as uniform guidance (2 CFR 200), federal cost accounting standards, and other administrative rules.

Demonstrated ability to navigate, prepare, and submit proposals in sponsor portals (e.g., Grants.gov, Research.gov, NSPIRES, NIH Assist, etc.).

Excellent communication skills.

Demonstrated leadership and mentorship skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Direct supervision experience, including performance evaluations, taking disciplinary action, training, hiring, and orientation.

Experience in a central sponsored projects office within higher education.

Experience in a team-based professional setting.

Experience with and the ability to work within multiple research administration systems, such as Idealogic, Huron Research Suite, BANNER, COGNOS, etc.

FLSA Exempt: Yes

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background inquiry.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit http://hr.uoregon.edu/careers/about-benefits.

The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply, and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, Office of Civil Rights Compliance, or to the Office for Civil Rights. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed on the statement of non-discrimination.

In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://clery.uoregon.edu/annual-campus-security-and-fire-safety-report.

To apply, visit https://careers.uoregon.edu/en-us/job/533506/preaward-manager