Pre-Award Research Administrator

ACTalent; Richmond (VA); Remote; USD 55,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Remote work flexibility

Job summary

Actalent seeks a Pre-Award Research Administrator to manage day-to-day pre-award admin, including reviewing funding opportunities, budgeting, and subcontract coordination. This remote contract role supports CHS-SPO and VCUs offices to ensure timely grant proposals.

The position requires strong budgeting, compliance knowledge (NSF/NIH), and excellent communication. Six months with potential extension; pay range $40–$46/hr; Richmond, VA-based contract but fully remote.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or 2+ years of research administration experience.
• Experience with pre-award budgeting and federal grants compliance.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work under deadlines.
• Familiarity with grant and contract procedures and policies.

Responsibilities

• Assist with grant, subcontract, and contract proposals for new and existing projects.
• Review funding opportunity announcements for compliance.
• Assist faculty with budget development and justification preparation.
• Ensure timely submission in RAMS-SPOT or sponsor portals.
• Collaborate with Grants & Contracts offices to resolve issues.
• Coordinate proposal submissions and post-award administrative actions.

Skills

Budget development

Pre-award research administration

Federal grants knowledge

Communication under pressure

Financial management

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

MS Office (Excel & Word)

Grant management systems RAMS-SPOT

Sponsor portals

Job description

Job Title: Pre-Award Research Administrator

Job Description

This position is responsible for managing the day-to-day aspects of pre-award research administration. The role involves reviewing funding opportunities, developing budgets, and coordinating subcontract arrangements. The candidate will work both independently and collaboratively with the CHS-SPO Team to support pre-award duties.

Responsibilities

• Assist with grant proposal processing tasks, including preparation of grant, subcontract, and contract proposals for new research projects and continuation/supplemental funding proposals for existing projects.

• Thoroughly review funding opportunity announcements.

• Assist faculty with budget development.

• Review proposal documents for compliance and completion of internal and sponsor forms, such as budget justifications, biographical sketches, and institutional descriptions.

• Prepare proposals in the universitys grant management system, RAMS-SPOT, and/or directly in the sponsor portal, ensuring timely submission to meet grant proposal deadlines.

• Collaborate with VCUs Office of Grants & Contracts to resolve accounting issues.

• Coordinate submission of grant proposals and post-award administrative actions and reports with VCUs Division of Sponsored Programs.

• Provide answers and education to College of Humanities and Sciences employees on grants and federal compliance issues.

• Complete other duties as assigned in a timely and professional manner as requested by the Director of CHS-SPO.

Essential Skills

• Experience in budget development, pre-award research administration, federal grants, and complex budgeting for 9-month faculty, summer salary, and graduate students.

• Knowledge of federal agency document compliance (NSF, NIH, State, Non-Profits).

• Strong communication and troubleshooting skills under pressure.

• Proficiency in grants, clinical research, proposals, financial management, research administration, reconciliation, administration, and reporting.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and/or two or more years of experience in research administration.

• Ability to work well under deadline pressures while maintaining accuracy and customer service.

• Experience fostering an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a diverse population of faculty, staff, and students.

• Knowledge and experience with grant and contract procedures.

• Ability to apply and interpret university and federal policies, procedures, laws, and regulations concerning sponsored projects.

• Open and collaborative style encouraging teamwork and cooperation.

• Excellent computer skills, particularly in MS Office with emphasis on Excel and Word.

• Familiarity with various electronic sponsor portal systems.

• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Logical reasoning and analytical skills for problem resolution.

• Ability to research, analyze, and evaluate project-related data on budgets and expenditures.

• Exceptional communication, organizational, customer service, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to effectively and clearly respond to inquiries from faculty, staff, and sponsors.

• Understanding of state and federal regulations related to research administration, including Uniform Guidance (2CFR200), and Cost Accounting Standards.

• Interest and willingness to learn the intricacies of pre-award grant administration.

Work Environment

This position is 100% remote, offering flexibility and the opportunity to support the department with a pre-award backlog of research opportunities. The role is expected to support the team for six months with potential for extension or conversion based on budget.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Richmond, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $46.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Richmond, VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 14, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.