Pre-Award Services Specialist

East Carolina University; Greenville (NC); On-site; USD 59,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

East Carolina University in Greenville, NC seeks a Pre-Award Services Specialist to facilitate sponsored project proposals. You will serve as the primary contact for PIs, interpret sponsor guidelines, and develop proposal budgets and documentation to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance.

The role involves coordinating complex submissions, multi-investigator projects, and internal approvals, with emphasis on timelines and submission readiness in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and one year of experience related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Master's degree with 3+ years demonstrated experience with development and submission of extramural proposals for grants and contracts in a university environment.
• Knowledge of programs and procedures for granting agencies, including federal agencies as well as corporate and private foundations and sponsors, and knowledge of relevant OMB regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret policy, manage competing deadlines, and effectively communicate while balancing multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• National certification such as CRA or CPRA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead proposal development and serve as primary point of contact for Principal Investigators and interprets sponsor guidelines.
• Review proposals for accuracy and compliance, upload materials into eTRACS, and manages internal routing processes.
• Leads proposal finalization and remediation efforts.
• Coordinates post-submission, pre-award activities.

Skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

Bachelor's degree + 1 year experience

Master's degree + 3 years grants experience

CRA/CPRA certification

Tools

eTRACS

Job description

Job Title

Pre-Award Services Specialist

Position Details

Position Number: 500721

Vacancy Open to: All Candidates

Department: AAH REDE Office of Research Admin

Advertising Department: RESEARCH, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ENGAGEMENT

Division: Academic Affairs

Classification Title: Specialist

Working Title: Pre-Award Services Specialist

Number of Vacancies: 1

Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Position Location (City): Greenville

Position Type: Non-Faculty

Job Category: Non-Faculty Professional

Salary Range: $58,500 - $65,000

Company Overview (Be a Pirate!)

Be a Pirate!

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 recognise the university's leadership in translating research into meaningful community partnerships and measurable societal benefits.

The university supports its workforce through a wide range of professional development opportunities designed to foster career growth and skill advancement. Eligible employees also benefit from a comprehensive benefits package that promotes a healthy work‑life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

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.

Pre‑Award Services, part of the Office of Research Administration (ORA), provides guidance on sponsor requirements, institutional policies, and proposal development. It oversees the institutional review, approval, and submission of sponsored project proposals; provides funding opportunity guidance, budget preparation, compliance review, and application submission; coordinates institutional approvals; manages award negotiation and acceptance; and provides select non-financial post‑award support throughout the project lifecycle.

Primary Purpose of Position

The primary purpose of the Pre‑Award Services Specialist (PSS) position is to facilitate development of sponsored project proposals in support of the ECU research enterprise. Reporting to an ORA Sponsored Programs Officer, this position serves as the primary point of contact for Principal Investigators (PIs) and provides expert guidance on sponsor requirements, proposal development processes, and institutional policies. The PSS is responsible for interpreting sponsor guidelines, developing proposal budgets and supporting documentation, and ensuring proposals are accurate, complete, and compliant with all sponsor and institutional requirements. This position coordinates complex proposal submissions, including multi‑investigator and multi‑unit projects, and manages timelines, internal approvals, and submission readiness. Working independently and in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, this position facilitates effective proposal preparation while ensuring alignment with institutional standards and sponsor expectations.

• Lead proposal development and serve as primary point of contact for Principal Investigators and interprets sponsor guidelines (55%)
• Review proposals for accuracy and compliance, upload materials into eTRACS, and manages internal routing processes (25%)
• Leads proposal finalization and remediation efforts (15%)
• Coordinates post‑submission, pre‑award activities (5%)

Minimum Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Bachelor's degree and one year of experience related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Master's degree and at least three (3) years demonstrated experience with development and submission of extramural proposals for grants and contracts in a university environment; demonstrated positive/productive working relationships with faculty, senior administrators, and external research sponsor officials.
• Demonstrated knowledge of programs and procedures for granting agencies, including federal agencies as well as corporate and private foundations and sponsors, and knowledge of relevant OMB regulations.
• Demonstrated experience in interpretation of policy, managing competing deadlines, and effectively communicating while balancing multiple priorities in a dynamic, service‑oriented environment.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and problem‑solving skills.
• National certification such as Certified Research Administrator (CRA), or Certified Pre‑Award Research Administrator (CPRA).

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.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis.

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.

Nondiscrimination Statement

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 (ADAAA) should contact the ADA Coordinator at [phone] (Voice/TTY) or [e-mail].

Additional Job Information

Job Open Date: 11/02/2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

Initial Screening Begins: 11/17/2026