Pre-Award Services Manager

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East Carolina University ( ECU) is consistently ranked among the nation's top public universities for its commitment to research, innovation, social mobility, and public service. Classified as a R1 institution by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education, ECU is among the top 5% of research universities in the United States, an elite designation reflecting the highest levels of research activity, funding, and doctoral output.

Founded in 1907, ECU is a public, four-year university located in Greenville, N.C., which is widely regarded as the cultural, educational, economic, and medical hub of eastern North Carolina. Through education, research, healthcare, community engagement, athletics, cultural enrichment, and service, ECU enhances the quality of life for its students, the state and communities around the world. It is a great place to work, teach, and learn.

ECU's commitment to impactful scholarship is further demonstrated through its repeated Carnegie Community Engagement Classification (2010, 2015, 2024), as well as its 2024 designation as a Carnegie Leadership for Public Purpose institution. These distinctions recognize the university's leadership in translating research into meaningful community partnerships and measurable societal benefits.

The university supports its workforce through a wide range of professional development opportunities designed to foster career growth and skill advancement. Eligible employees also benefit from a comprehensive benefits package that promotes a healthy work-life balance.

Academic Affairs, led by the Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, comprises the university's colleges, schools and libraries, along with other academic support and administrative units. Academic Affairs works collaboratively to strengthen ECU's culture of academic excellence in line with our mission to be a national model for student success, public service and regional transformation.

Research, Economic Development and Engagement ( REDE), led by the Senior Vice Provost for Research and Innovation, provides strategic leadership for East Carolina University's research, innovation, economic development, and community engagement enterprise. REDE advances discovery, workforce development, and societal impact through research administration and development, industry engagement, technology transfer and commercialization, economic development initiatives, community-engaged partnerships, continuing education, and collaborations with federal agencies and national security partners. REDE also oversees research integrity, compliance, and responsible research practices.

Pre-Award Services, part of the Office of Research Administration ( ORA), provides guidance on sponsor requirements, institutional policies, and proposal development. It oversees the institutional review, approval, and submission of sponsored project proposals; provides funding opportunity guidance, budget preparation, compliance review, and application submission; coordinates institutional approvals; manages award negotiation and acceptance; and provides select non-financial post-award support throughout the project lifecycle.

The Pre-Award Services Manager ( PSM) will lead a team comprised of Sponsored Programs Officers ( SPO) and Pre-Award Services Specialists ( PSS) staff. Using professional competence, outstanding customer service, and team management and interpersonal skills, the PSM will engage with campus stakeholders (e.g., Office of Corporate and Foundations Relations, Office of People, Operations, Success, Office of Clinical Research, and others) and external sponsors to ensure full consideration of investigator and University interests to support a growing institutional research enterprise. In addition to maintaining a nominal proposal portfolio, the PSM will be a resource for advanced and complex questions related to proposal submission and award negotiation/acceptance, analysis and improvement of work processes and technologies, and represent ECU to outside entities.

The PSM is responsible for mentoring Pre-Award team members to support their professional development and build consistent knowledge and practice across the team. This includes identifying training needs, coordinating learning opportunities, developing training materials in conjunction with the Pre-Award Services Director, and reinforcing expectations that strengthen service quality, compliance, and operational continuity.

The PSM will report to and work with the ORA Pre-Award Services Director to support ongoing electronic Research Administration (eRA) implementation and maintenance processes. In consultation with the Pre-Award Services Director, the PSM helps develop, recommend, and/or implement policies and procedures for the administration of contracts and grants, including the submission of applications, acceptance of awards, and non-financial post-award activities.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Master's degree in Business or Public Administration, Accounting, or related fields and 3 years experience in pre-award management or research administration, or relevant bachelor's degree and 5 years of progressively responsible experience in research administration. At least one year of supervisory experience managing a collaborative is required.

Demonstrated expertise in university research administration, including best practices in pre-award processes within a university or academic medical center environment, with strong knowledge of federal, state, industry, and foundation sponsor requirements and regulations (e.g., NIH, NSF, DOD, DOE, USDA).

In-depth understanding of Uniform Guidance, including cost principles, along with working knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations, general accounting principles, and audit requirements for federal awards.

Intermediate proficiency across the Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Pro.

None

East Carolina University requires applicants to submit a candidate profile online in order to be considered for the position. Candidates must also submit a cover letter, resume, and a list of three references, including contact information, online.

At the time of employment two to three original letters of reference, official transcripts, a criminal background check, and proper documentation of identity and employability are required. Please be aware that if selected as a candidate of choice, an automatic e-mail will be sent to the individuals entered by the applicant in the References section in the PeopleAdmin applicant tracking system. Letters of reference submitted via the PeopleAdmin applicant tracking system will be verified and considered towards meeting this requirement.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must complete a candidate profile online via the PeopleAdmin system and submit the required documents, as requested. Additionally, applicants that possess the preferred education and experience must also possess the minimum education/experience, if applicable.

Unless otherwise identified in the applicable job posting and consistent with University policy, the University will principally employ individuals who reside in the State of North Carolina to the greatest extent practicable. As such, most positions at East Carolina University require employees to live and work in North Carolina (or live within a reasonable daily commuting distance from their duty station) after hire. Candidates should be prepared to relocate within a reasonable, agreed-upon time after an offer of employment has been made and accepted to meet this requirement.

East Carolina University is committed to workforce success and cultivating a culture of care for our employees. ECU prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment based on race/ethnicity, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status or disability.

Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act ( ADAAA) should contact the ADA Coordinator at (252) 737-1018 (Voice/ TTY) or ADA-Coordinator@ecu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. ECU participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity at (252) 328-9847 or toll free at 1-866-489-1740 or send an email to employment@ecu.edu. Our office is available to provide assistance Monday-Friday from 8:00-5:00 EST.