Assistant Director of Sponsored Programs-Pre-Award

University of Mississippi; Mississippi; On-site; USD 83,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Mississippi is seeking an Assistant Director of Sponsored Programs: Pre-Award to lead pre-award administration, ensure compliant development and timely submission of proposals, and supervise staff. The role interfaces with faculty, departments, centers, and leadership to advance research goals.

The position emphasizes training, standard procedures, and strong customer service while aligning with university policies and sponsor guidelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee compliance reviews of grant and contract proposals to ensure adherence to sponsor, university policies and regulations.
• Supervise Pre-Award Research Administrators and staff, providing leadership and performance oversight.
• Coordinate proposal review workflows, workload distribution, and resource allocation for timely submissions.
• Provide training, mentoring, and professional development for pre-award staff.
• Review and approve proposal budgets for accuracy, allowability, and alignment with requirements.
• Ensure all institutional approvals and compliance reviews are obtained prior to submission.
• Interpret sponsor guidelines and funding requirements, and communicate institutional policies.
• Develop, implement, and maintain SOPs, training materials, and job aids for proposal development.
• Manage sponsor electronic research administration systems and submission portals.
• Provide consultation to principal investigators, departments, and centers during proposal development.
• Promote a culture of excellent customer service, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Identify and escalate complex compliance issues to the Director and leadership.
• Assist with strategic planning to improve services.
• Support policies, systems, and processes in research administration.
• Analyze trends in proposal activity and sponsor requirements to improve efficiency.
• Participate in committees and cross-functional initiatives related to sponsored programs.
• Collaborate with leadership to advance institutional research objectives.
• Maintain knowledge of federal regulations and sponsor policies.

Education

Bachelor's (Required)

Job description

The University of Mississippi — fondly referred to as Ole Miss —stands as a premier public research institution with a proud legacyof academic distinction. We are devoted to nurturing a vibrant,inclusive community where every member — student, faculty, andstaff — can achieve their fullest potential.

Join the Ole Miss Family — Build Your Legacy Here!

Department

Office for Research & Economic Development

Job Summary

The Assistant Director of Sponsored Programs: Pre-Award providesleadership and operational oversight for pre-award researchadministration, ensuring the effective, timely, and compliantdevelopment, review, and submission of externally sponsored grantand contract proposals. This position supervises pre-award researchadministration staff, serves as a subject matter expert on sponsorregulations and university policies, and works collaboratively withfaculty, departmental administrators, research centers, anduniversity leadership to support the institution's researchmission. The Assistant Director develops and implements training,procedures, and best practices that promote consistency,compliance, and exceptional customer service while assisting withstrategic initiatives that advance institutional research growthand competitiveness.

Job Description

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Oversee and conduct comprehensive compliance reviews of grantand contract proposals to ensure adherence to sponsor requirements,university policies, and applicable federal and state regulations.
• Supervise and provide leadership, guidance, and performance oversight for Pre-Award Research Administrators and other assigned staff.
• Coordinate and monitor proposal review workflows, workload distribution, and resource allocation to ensure timely proposal submissions and high-quality support services.
• Provide training, mentoring, and professional development opportunities for pre-award staff to promote consistency, competency, and continuous improvement in research administration practices.
• Review and approve proposal budgets to ensure accuracy, consistency, allowability, and alignment with sponsor and institutional requirements.
• Ensure all required institutional approvals, certifications, and compliance reviews are obtained prior to proposal submission.
• Serve as a primary resource for interpreting and communicating sponsor guidelines, funding opportunity requirements, and institutional research administration policies.
• Develop, implement, and maintain standard operating procedures, training materials, job aids, and best-practice guidance related to proposal development and submission.
• Manage sponsor electronic research administration systems and submission portals, including user access, account administration, troubleshooting, and institutional registrations.
• Provide consultation and support to principal investigators, departmental administrators, research centers, and other stakeholders throughout the proposal development process.
• Promote and foster a culture of excellent customer service, responsiveness, collaboration, and continuous improvement within Sponsored Programs Administration.
• Identify, assess, and escalation complex, high-risk, or emerging compliance issues to the Director of Sponsored Programs Administration and other institutional leaders, as appropriate.
• Assist with strategic planning initiatives designed to improve research administration services, proposal support, and institutional research growth.
• Support the development, implementation, and evaluation of research administration policies, systems, processes, and operational improvements.
• Analyze trends in proposal activity and sponsor requirements and recommend process enhancements to improve efficiency, compliance, and service delivery.
• Participate in special projects, institutional committees, and cross-functional initiatives related to sponsored programs administration and research development.
• Collaborate with university leadership and administrative units to advance effective research administration practices and support the institution's strategic research objectives.
• Maintain current knowledge of federal regulations, sponsor policies, industry best practices, and emerging trends in research administration through professional development and training activities.

Education Qualifications

Bachelor's (Required)

Experience

Relevant experience| 5 Years, 3 years supervisory| Required

Compensation

$83,096.00 - $124,654.40

Interview Requirement

Interview Requirements: Any candidate who is called for aninterview must notify the Department of EqualOpportunity/Regulatory Compliance in writing of any reasonableaccommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.

EEO Statement

The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in anyemployment practice, education program, or education activity toall qualified persons. The University complies with all applicablelaws regarding equal opportunity and does not unlawfullydiscriminate against any employee or applicant for employment basedupon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation,gender identity or expression, religion, national origin,ethnicity, citizenship, age, disability, military status, protectedveteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protectedstatus.

Background Check Statement

The University of Mississippi is committed to providing a safecampus community. UM conducts background investigations forapplicants being considered for employment. Backgroundinvestigations include a criminal history record check, and whenappropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving historycheck.