Post-Award Services Manager

East Carolina University

Greenville (NC)

On-site

USD 86,000 - 96,000

Full time

6 hours ago

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Job summary

East Carolina University in Greenville, NC is seeking a Post-Award Services Manager to lead the fiscal administration of sponsored funds, ensure compliance with university policies, UNC System requirements, and federal regulations, and promote responsible stewardship of awards.

This role directs the Post‑Award team (35%), oversees operations (25%), creates and updates training (20%), and monitors performance to drive continuous improvement, delivering high‑quality, service‑oriented research

Qualifications

Master’s degree in Business or Public Administration, Accounting, or related fields with 3 years of progressively responsible experience in research administration; or a Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of progressively responsible experience.
At least one year of supervisory experience managing a collaborative.
Expertise in university research administration, including post‑award management and knowledge of NIH, NSF, DOD, DOE, USDA requirements.
In‑depth understanding of Uniform Guidance, cost principles, general accounting principles, and audit requirements for federal awards.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Adobe Pro.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and director for the Post‑Award services team (35%).
Oversee Post‑Award operational activities (25%).
Create, coordinate, update and support training for Post‑Award staff (20%).
Monitor performance and drive continuous improvement (15%).

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Supervision

Research administration

Policy compliance

Microsoft Office

Adobe Pro

Education

Master’s degree in Business or Public Administration, Accounting

Bachelor’s degree + 5 years in research administration

Tools

Grants.gov

Award management systems

Job description

Advertising Department RESEARCH, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ENGAGEMENT

Division

Division Academic Affairs

Classification Title

Classification Title Manager

Working Title

Working Title Post-Award Services Manager

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

Full Time Equivalent (FTE)

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) 1.0

Full Time or Part Time

Full Time or Part Time Full Time

Anticipated Recruitment Range. Salary offered may be outside of this range as impacted by budget, UNC salary administration, and/or candidate qualifications.

Anticipated Recruitment Range. Salary offered may be outside of this range as impacted by budget, UNC salary administration, and/or candidate qualifications. $86,351 - $95,945

Position Location (City)

Position Type

Position Type Non-Faculty

Job Category

Job Category Non-Faculty Professional

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East Carolina University ( ECU ) is consistently ranked among the nation’s top public universities for its commitment to research, innovation, social mobility, and public service. Classified as a R1 institution by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education, ECU is among the top 5% of research universities in the United States, an elite designation reflecting the highest levels of research activity, funding, and doctoral output.

Founded in 1907, ECU is a public, four-year university located in Greenville, N.C. , which is widely regarded as the cultural, educational, economic, and medical hub of eastern North Carolina. Through education, research, healthcare, community engagement, athletics, cultural enrichment, and service, ECU enhances the quality of life for its students, the state and communities around the world. It is a great place to work, teach, and learn.

ECU’s commitment to impactful scholarship is further demonstrated through its repeated Carnegie Community Engagement Classification (2010, 2015, 2024), as well as its 2024 designation as a Carnegie Leadership for Public Purpose institution. These distinctions recognize the university’s leadership in translating research into meaningful community partnerships and measurable societal benefits.

Academic Affairs , led by the Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, comprises the university’s colleges, schools and libraries, along with other academic support and administrative units. Academic Affairs works collaboratively to strengthen ECU’s culture of academic excellence in line with our mission to be a national model for student success, public service and regional transformation.

Research, Economic Development and Engagement ( REDE ), led by the Senior Vice Provost for Research and Innovation, provides strategic leadership for East Carolina University’s research, innovation, economic development, and community engagement enterprise. REDE advances discovery, workforce development, and societal impact through research administration and development, industry engagement, technology transfer and commercialization, economic development initiatives, community‑engaged partnerships, continuing education, and collaborations with federal agencies and national security partners. REDE also oversees research integrity, compliance, and responsible research practices.

Post-Award Services, part of the Office of Research Administration ( ORA ), advances the effective stewardship of sponsored projects through coordinated financial, administrative, and compliance support. The team oversees award setup, financial management, billing and revenue, and compliance monitoring; strengthening accountability, operational excellence, and institutional impact aligned with ECU’s mission of public service and research integrity.

Primary Purpose of Position

This Post-Award Services Manager ( POSM ) provides leadership and oversight for the fiscal administration and stewardship of sponsored project funds, ensuring compliance with university policies and procedures, UNC System policies, State of North Carolina laws and regulations, federal regulations, sponsor requirements, and other applicable compliance obligations. The POSM will work collaboratively with ORA’s Pre-Award Services, the Office of Research Integrity and Compliance, and other campus stakeholders to develop, implement, monitor, and continuously improve post‑award policies, procedures, and internal controls that promote regulatory compliance, fiscal accountability, risk mitigation, audit readiness, and the responsible management of sponsored funds. The POSM is responsible for ensuring post‑award operations are conducted in accordance with evolving regulatory requirements and institutional priorities while promoting consistent, effective, and customer‑focused service delivery and the adoption of best practices across the University.

Provide leadership and director for the Post‑Award services team (35%)
Oversee Post‑Award operational activities (25%)
Create, coordinate, update and support training for Post‑Award staff (20%)
Monitor performance and drive continuous improvement (15%)

Minimum Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Master’s degree in Business or Public Administration, Accounting, or related fields and 3 years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, or relevant Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of progressively responsible experience in research administration. At least one year of supervisory experience managing a collaborative is required.

Demonstrated expertise in university research administration, including post‑award management within a university or academic medical center environment, with strong knowledge of federal, state, industry, and foundation sponsor requirements and regulations (e.g., NIH , NSF , DOD , DOE , USDA ).

In‑depth understanding of Uniform Guidance, including cost principles, general accounting principles, and audit requirements for federal awards. Comprehensive knowledge of types of and differences in sponsor regulations including award administration requirements for federal, foundation, industry, and other external funding sources.

Intermediate proficiency across the Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Pro.

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation

None

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Certified Research Administrator ( CRA or Certified Financial Research Administrator ( CFRA ), or ability to obtain certification within 12 months of hire in this role.
Ability to bridge technical compliance expertise with effective people and operational management by coaching and developing staff, establishing performance expectations, implementing standard operating procedures, monitoring workload and quality metrics, driving process improvements, and ensuring the consistent delivery of compliant, high‑quality, service‑oriented research administration services.
Familiarity with sponsored project compliance requirements, data security and access, reporting, and sponsor engagement. Experience in a university setting, academic health center or school of medicine.
Demonstrated experience utilizing electronic research administration systems (e.g., grants.gov and other sponsor award management platforms) and managing award tracking systems. Proven ability to lead or coordinate the work of research administration staff, develop and deliver training, and support a high‑functioning service‑oriented environment.
Strong organizational, interpersonal, and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to interpret policy, communicate effectively, and manage competing deadlines across multiple priorities.

Unless otherwise identified in the applicable job posting and consistent with University policy, the University will principally employ individuals who reside in the State of North Carolina to the greatest extent practicable. As such, most positions at East Carolina University require employees to live and work in North Carolina (or live within a reasonable daily commuting distance from their duty station) after hire. Candidates should be prepared to relocate within a reasonable, agreed‑upon time after an offer of employment has been made and accepted to meet this requirement.

East Carolina University is committed to workforce success and cultivating a culture of care for our employees. ECU prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment based on race/ethnicity, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status or disability.

Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act ( ADACAA ) should contact the ADA Coordinator at (252) 737‑1018 (Voice/ TTY ) or ADA -Coordinator@ecu.edu .

Eligibility for Employment

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. ECU participates in E‑Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity at (252) 328‑9847 or toll free at 1‑866‑489‑1740 or send an email to employment@ecu.edu. Our office is available to provide assistance Monday-Friday from 8:00‑5:00 EST .

Supplemental Questions

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