Junior Contracts & Grants Administrator

University of Alabama in Huntsville; Alabama; On-site; USD 37,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Alabama in Huntsville is seeking a Junior Contract Administrator in Alabama. This entry-level role supports the Office of Sponsored Programs, assisting with proposal preparation and award administration.

You will work with senior staff, gain hands-on experience with Kuali, maintain data accuracy, and ensure compliance with federal guidelines while handling high-volume tasks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 1–3 years of full-time work experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Familiar with Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, and modern browsers.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare proposals and budgets in Kuali for submission.
• Ensure compliance with OSP and federal guidelines.
• Review contracts and prepare documents for review and signature.
• Enter and maintain data for awards, sub-awards, and subcontracts.
• Provide training and guidance to assigned centers as needed.
• Coordinate with internal and external entities under tight deadlines.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job no: 504433
Department: Office of Sponsored Programs
Work type: Staff Full-time Non-Exempt
Location: Alabama
Categories: Administrative - Professional, Research - Other

Purpose of the Position:

The Junior Contract Administrator is an entry-level professional role responsible for providing foundational support to the sponsored research community. Key responsibilities include preparing and submitting proposals, monitoring sponsored research award actions, and performing data entry for awards, sub-awards, subcontracts, and related payments, as applicable.

Duties / Responsibilities

• Proposal Preparation
• Work closely with a senior-level administrator to develop proposal budgets in accordance with multiple agencies' guidelines; assemble proposals for circulation and submission through Kuali (the university's electronic research administration system).
• Ensure compliance with established federal and OSP guidelines.
• Review contracts and grants terms and conditions, and prepare necessary documents for review/signature. The individual will learn to set up awards in Kuali, including creating accounts, preparing the necessary documents for submission to contracts and grants accounting, and establishing reporting due dates for notification.
• Read, comprehend, and apply instructions on proposal submission and award administration.
• Prepare, review, proofread, and edit reports in accordance with sponsoring agency guidelines.
• Perform data entry and maintenance to ensure accuracy and clarity.
• Perform system data entry via Kuali or the agency(s) website. Timeliness and accuracy are critical elements
• Responsible for the management of an assigned center and/or contract with low volume and limited submission requirements to external entities until performance suggests a review of the portfolio for more challenging assignments.
• Provide training and daily instructions, as needed.
• Perform work tasks and actions that require considerable pre-award documentation that are often presented to OSP with short turn-around timelines.
• Engage internal and external entities in a tactful, efficient manner under short, somewhat urgent time constraints

• Bachelor's degree, 1-3 years of full-time verifiable work experience or an equivalent combination of education and years of work experience
• Must be familiar with Microsoft Office Suite, in particular, Word and Excel
• Must be familiar with Websites such as Google, IE, Chrome
• Must possess excellent interpersonal communication skills and have the ability to work effectively with others in a very fast-paced and highly stressful environment
• Ability to read, comprehend, and apply information, as well as communicate effectively, is required
• Keen attention to detail is required
• Must work well with others in a team environment

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is preferred
• Office experience in a university setting is desired
• Working knowledge of BANNER Finance - self-service is preferred

Published Salary (if available):

$36,500 - $38,000

Advertised: Sep 21 2026 Central Daylight Time

Applications close:

Please note, job openings are posted for a minimum of three (3) business days and may be removed from the job posting board and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Alabama in Huntsville is an equal opportunity employer (EOE), including an EOE of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.