Coordinator, Research Agreements and Awards Administration

University of Southern Mississippi; Hattiesburg (MS); Hybrid; USD 26,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS is seeking a Coordinator for Research Agreements and Awards Administration to provide administrative support for the Office of Research Support and Development. The role coordinates workflow, maintains records, and facilitates document routing and signatures to ensure timely sponsored project actions.

Minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s degree and at least one year of relevant experience, with proficiency in MS Office and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in business, communications, education, public administration, science, or a related field.
• One year of experience in administrative, business, or higher education setting.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and maintain accurate records.

Responsibilities

• Manage office communications and route routine inquiries to staff.
• Maintain award, agreement, contract, and subaward records in Cayuse and other systems.
• Coordinate workflow processing and support DocuSign routing.
• Support subaward administration and risk assessment activities.
• Generate status updates and maintain records per university policies.

Skills

Administrative and office management

Multitasking and workflow coordination

Strong written and verbal comunication

Confidentiality and judgement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, education, public administration, science, or related field

Tools

Cayuse

DocuSign

Microsoft Office

Job description

Coordinator, Research Agreements and Awards Administration

The University of Southern Mississippi is currently accepting applications for the position of Coordinator, Research Agreements and Awards Administration.

Location Hattiesburg
118 College Drive
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 39406-0001
United States

Division VP Research

Position Type Staff

Employment Status Full Time

Grant Funded No

Salary Range 19.14 - 22.52

Pay Grade N08

Posting Close Date Open Until Filled

Special Instructions to Applicants
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for visa sponsorship. The University will not sponsor applicants for work visas (e.g., H-1B).

Job Summary

The Coordinator, Research Administration Operations provides administrative and operational support for the Office of Research Support and Development’s award, agreement, contract, and subaward functions. This position coordinates workflow processes, maintains electronic records and tracking systems, facilitates document routing and signatures, and supports the timely processing of sponsored project actions. This role serves as a central point of contact for routine inquiries and workflow coordination, helping ensure efficient management of research administration activities and continuity of operations across the office.

Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage shared office communications, including monitoring email accounts and communication channels, responding to routine inquiries, and routing requests to appropriate staff.
• Maintain award, agreement, contract, and subaward records within Cayuse and other institutional systems, ensuring information is accurate, complete, and up to date.
• Coordinate workflow processing activities, including task assignment, routing, tracking progress, monitoring pending actions, and following up to ensure timely completion.
• Prepare and process administrative documentation, including electronic signature routing through DocuSign and the organization and maintenance of supporting documentation for awards, agreements, and subawards.
• Support subaward administration, including record creation, document collection, and coordination of materials needed for subrecipient risk assessments, monitoring, and compliance activities.
• Maintain tracking systems, reports, and official records, generate status updates and operational reports, and ensure records are retained in accordance with university policies and applicable regulations.
• Provide administrative and operational support to research administration activities, contribute to process improvement initiatives, and perform other duties as assigned in support of the Office of Research Support and Development and the University’s research mission.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in business, communications, education, public administration, science, or a related field. One (1) year of experience in administrative, business, or higher education setting.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA)

• Knowledge of administrative and office management practices.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and monitor multiple projects and workflow activities simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in recordkeeping and data entry.
• Ability to interpret and follow policies, procedures, and established workflows.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Excel, Word, and Teams.
• Ability to learn and effectively use research administration systems, including Cayuse and DocuSign.
• Skill in coordinating activities across multiple stakeholders and organizational units.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in higher education, sponsored programs administration, research administration, grants management, contracts administration, or a related field is preferred. Familiarity with electronic workflow, document management, and enterprise information systems, including Cayuse, DocuSign, or similar platforms, is desirable. Experience maintaining records, tracking projects and activities, coordinating administrative workflows, and supporting business or operational processes in a complex organizational environment.

About The University of Southern Mississippi

Since our founding in 1910, The University of Southern Mississippi has remained dedicated to preparing students for success. We deliver programs to more than 13,000 students in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. We are a community-engaged Carnegie R1 university, earning distinction as one of the nation’s leading research institutions.

Southern Miss is known for pioneering work in polymer science, ocean science, spectator sports safety and security, and bringing language to children with communication disorders. We are also a national leader in a broad range of disciplines, including cybersecurity, hydrography, nutrition, aquaculture, kinesiology, and economic development, among others.

We produce graduates ready to enter fields that are leading the way in emerging technologies through programs such as computer engineering, information technology, and ocean engineering. We’re developing the next generation of business leaders, while also responding to critical workforce shortages by producing skilled professionals in education and nursing. With a tradition of excellence in the arts, we are one of only 36 public institutions in the nation accredited in four major areas of the arts. Home to the Golden Eagles, our student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division I sports. With a culture marked by passion and persistence, Southern Miss is delivering graduates who are ready for life. For more information, visit www.usm.edu.

The University of Southern Mississippi is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. EOE/VETS/DISABILITY.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

The University of Southern Mississippi is committed to the safety and security of the USM community. The annual federal required compliance document which contains policy statements and crime statistics for the University is available on the UPD website at http://www.usm.edu/police/. You may also request a copy by contacting the University Police Department at Bond Hall, 1st Floor West, Hattiesburg, MS 39406 [phone]. The policy statements address the University's policies, procedures and programs concerning safety and security, for example, policies for responding to emergency situations and sexual offenses. Three years' of statistics are included for certain types of crimes that were reported to have occurred on campus, in or on off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University and on public property within or immediately adjacent to the campus.