Associate Director, Proposal Strategy & Review

University of Tennessee; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 73,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Tennessee in Memphis seeks an Associate Director, Proposal Development and Review, to lead institutional proposal review and submission. The role oversees the Research Administrator ladder and allocates the portfolio by complexity, ensuring timely submissions and compliant approvals.

The position requires a Bachelor’s in a related field (Master’s preferred), with 7+ years of sponsored research administration experience or 5+ with a Master’s, and strong knowledge of budget

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Research Administration Science, Health Administration, or a related field (Master's Degree preferred; Transcript required).
• Seven (7) years of related responsible, sponsored research administration experience; OR Master’s Degree and five (5) years of related responsible, sponsored research administration experience; OR a combination to equal eleven (11) years.

Responsibilities

• Exercise delegated authority to approve proposals for institutional submission within the threshold set by the Authorized Organizational Representative.
• Review complex, multi-component, and consortium proposals and assess eligibility and sponsor requirements.
• Supervise the Research Administrator ladder, including performance management and coaching.
• Maintain documented backup coverage and continuity plans to ensure timely submission.
• Establish and monitor proposal turnaround standards and report service performance.
• Identify recurring causes of submission delays and address root causes with colleges and system staff.
• Maintain the deadline management approach for high-volume sponsor submission cycles.
• Develop and deliver training for college and department research administrators on proposal preparation, budget development, and sponsor requirements.
• Contribute to institutional policies and procedures for proposal submission and review.
• Identify opportunities to automate routine review activities while focusing on high-risk matters.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Proposal preparation

Budget development

Sponsor requirements

Uniform Guidance

Electronic research administration

Staff supervision

Deadline management

Staff development

Institutional review

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree preferred

Transcript required

Job description

University of Tennessee in Memphis seeks an Associate Director, Proposal Development and Review, to lead institutional proposal review and submission. The role oversees the Research Administrator ladder and allocates the portfolio by complexity, ensuring timely submissions and compliant approvals.

The position requires a Bachelor’s in a related field (Master’s preferred), with 7+ years of sponsored research administration experience or 5+ with a Master’s, and strong knowledge of budget