Business Officer 1

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill (NC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is seeking a Business Officer 1 to join the SPAO Pre-Award Research and Support Office in the School of Medicine. This role manages pre-award activities for sponsored projects and advises faculty on grant administration requirements.

Responsibilities include budget development, interpretation of sponsor guidelines, regulatory compliance monitoring, and coordination with OSR, SPA, HR, Finance, and the Provost’s Office to ensure timely proposals and

Qualifications

• Entry-level with Master’s; or Bachelor’s and 0–2 years experience.
• Strong written and oral communication, and ability to work with top-level staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional research administration services for pre-award activities.
• Review proposals, develop budgets, interpret sponsor guidelines, and ensure compliance.
• Collaborate with OSR, SPA, HR, Finance, and Provost’s Office to support grants.

Skills

Communication skills

Discretion with confidential info

Office management

MS Office

Education

Master's degree

Bachelor's degree with 0-2 years experience

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Department:

Med Ad-Deans Office-420104

Career Area :

Other

Posting Open Date:

09/03/2026

Application Deadline:

09/17/2026

Open Until Filled:

No

Position Type:

Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)

Working Title:

Business Officer 1

Appointment Type:

EHRA Non-Faculty

Position Number:

20078343; 20078390; 20078396; 20078391

Vacancy ID:

NF0010000

Full Time/Part Time:

Full-Time Permanent

FTE:

1

Hours per week:

40

Position Location:

North Carolina, US

Hiring Range:

Dependent on Qualifications

Proposed Start Date:

10/05/2026

Be a Tar Heel!:

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:

Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education and research.
Patient care: We promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond.
Education: We prepare tomorrow`s healthcare professionals and biomedical researchers from all backgrounds by facilitating learning within innovative and integrated curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education to ensure a highly skilled workforce.
Research: We develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers and resources. We provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our university to support outstanding research. We foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic and population research.

Position Summary:

This position serves within the SPAO Pre-Award Research and Support Office and provides professional research administration services to a portfolio of departments and investigators within the School of Medicine. The position manages and administers pre-award activities for sponsored research projects and applies knowledge of sponsor requirements, University policies, and federal regulations to support compliant proposal development and submission.
Responsibilities include proposal review, budget development, interpretation of sponsor guidelines, regulatory compliance monitoring, and advising faculty and staff on grant administration requirements. The position analyzes funding opportunities, identifies administrative and compliance issues, recommends appropriate solutions, and exercises independent judgment in managing assigned research administration activities.
The position also supports post-award administration activities as needed by providing pre-award specific support, monitors grant-related requirements and deadlines, helps prepare financial and administrative analyses, and collaborates with University offices including OSR, SPA, HR, Finance, the Provost’s Office, and the Dean’s Office. The role requires knowledge of sponsored research administration, sound decision-making skills, and the ability to independently manage multiple priorities while ensuring compliance with institutional and sponsor requirements.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Entry-level with Masters; or Bachelors and 0-2 yrs experience

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:

A demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, students, high-level officials and faculty; operational knowledge and/or familiarity with scientific terminology; excellent command of MS Office Suite; excellent written and oral communication skills, critical thinking and interpersonal skills; considerable experience with office management and administrative practices, techniques and technology; excellent judgment and decision-making ability; proven ability to exercise discretion dealing with top-level, proprietary and confidential information

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:

Experience with grants and contracts. Ability to prepare detailed financial reports and budgets in compliance with applicable University policies and procedures and/or sponsoring agencies. Extensive knowledge of university financial accounting, HR and administrative systems. Knowledge of NIH, NSF, DOD, and other awarding agency regulations and requirements, as well as RAMSeS, Connect Carolina, eRA Commons and other related systems. Certified Research Administrator (CRA) certification preferred.

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities:

Not Applicable.