Pre-Award Specialist

NC State University

Raleigh (NC)

Hybrid

USD 60,000 - 68,000

Full time

8 hours ago

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Job summary

NC State University is seeking a Pre-Award Specialist to support faculty in identifying funding and developing proposals. You will be the primary liaison to faculty, preparing proposals, budgets, and justifications while ensuring compliance with university, state, and federal guidelines.

This role requires strong writing, budgeting, and organizational skills, with the ability to multitask in a deadline-driven environment and to work hybrid schedules after training period.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and one year of related experience or equivalent combination.
Excellent writing skills.
Must be able to work independently and multi-task.
Organizational and time management skills.
Outstanding budgeting and math skills.

Responsibilities

Assist faculty with locating research funding opportunities and developing proposals for submission to state and federal agencies, foundations, other agencies and organizations for sponsored project funding.
Be the main point of contact for faculty and work directly with them to prepare proposals, budgets, and budget justifications.
Ensure compliance with Request for Proposal (RFP) guidelines; college, university, and state policies and procedures; Cost Accounting Standards; and policies in OMB Uniform Guidance (UG).
Stay actively informed about updates and changes relevant to research administration.
Monitor and facilitate the proposal routing process to ensure all information is collected correctly.
Provide one-on-one training to faculty about preaward processes, electronic research administration systems, and policies.
Provide support related to narrative formulation and editing/writing for non-technical sections.

Skills

Excellent writing

Independent work

Time management

Budgeting & math

Education

Bachelor's degree + 1 year experience

NCSU/UNC system experience

Tools

Excel

Google Suite

Zoom

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Job Posting Information

Posting Number

Posting Number PG195312SP

Internal Recruitment

Internal Recruitment No

Working Title

Working Title Pre-Award Specialist

Anticipated Hiring Range

Anticipated Hiring Range $60,000 - $67,878

Work Schedule

Work Schedule 40 hours a week with options for a flexible and/or hybrid work schedule (after training period); typically Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm

Job Location

Department

Department Office of Research and Engagement

About the Department

The Office of Research and Engagement within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences provides centralized pre-award and post-award services to faculty within our college. We assist faculty in seeking funding opportunities and developing proposals and budgets while ensuring compliance with university, state, federal, and agency guidelines. When sponsored projects are funded, we provide post-award support to ensure compliance with the university, state, and federal regulations and agency terms and conditions. The office also manages internal funding opportunities and extension and engagement initiatives within the college.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership , and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

In this role, you will assist faculty with locating research funding opportunities and developing proposals for submission to state and federal agencies, foundations, other agencies and organizations for sponsored project funding. You will also be the main point of contact for faculty and will work directly with them to prepare proposals, budgets, and budget justifications. The position will ensure compliance with the Request for Proposal ( RFP ) guidelines; college, university, and state policies and procedures; Cost Accounting Standards; and policies set forth in OMB Uniform Guidance (UG). You will also stay actively informed about updates and changes relevant within research administration.

Key Responsibilities:

Be expected to process many proposals simultaneously.

Be able to work in a deadline driven environment.

Have the ability to reference, research, and apply knowledge relevant to the preaward process.

Monitor and facilitate the proposal routing process in order to ensure all information is collected correctly.

Be able to communicate effectively with faculty about the pre-award process.

Provide one-on-one training to faculty about preaward processes, electronic research administration systems, and policies.

Be well-versed in electronic research administration systems like Research.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons and be able to learn other agency specific web-based portals quickly.

Provide support related to narrative formulation and editing / writing for non-technical sections.

Assist faculty with submission of Data Use Agreements.

Assist with training workshops.

Other Responsibilities

Attend departmental, college, and/or university meetings and training.

Exercise good judgement and decision making.

Other tasks and responsibilities may be assigned based on the needs of the organization and evolving priorities.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and one year of experience related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Excellent writing skills.

NCSU or UNC system experience.

Must be able to work independently and be able to multi-task.

Organizational and time management skills.

Outstanding budgeting and math skills.

Required License or Certification

Valid NC Driver's License required

Valid NC Driver's License required No

Commercial Driver's License Required?

Commercial Driver's License Required? No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date

Job Open Date 11/11/2026

Earliest Close Date---- (Positions will be posted until 5:00 PM ET on this date. Positions remaining posted after this date are still accepting applications but may close at any time.)

Earliest Close Date---- (Positions will be posted until 5:00 PM ET on this date. Positions remaining posted after this date are still accepting applications but may close at any time.) 11/18/2026

Notice to Applicants

Please make sure that the work history you list on your application is identical to the work history listed on your resume. The application must be filled out completely, do not use the phrase “see resume”.

Position Number

Position Number 00100422

Position Type

Position Type SHRA

Position Classification Band Title

Position Classification Band Title University Program Specialist

Position Classification Band Level

Position Classification Band Level Journey

Position Classification Salary Range

Position Classification Salary Range $ 36,381 - $ 91,526

Salary Grade Equivalency

Salary Grade Equivalency NC12

Alternate Option

If no applicants apply who meet the required competency level and training & experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week) 1.0

Appointment

Appointment 12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events Non Mandatory - Emergency Event

Time Limited Position

Time Limited Position No

Time-Limited Appointment Length (if applicable)

Department Id

Department Id 160150 - CHASS Research and Engagement

EEO

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University 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.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

* How did you learn of this opportunity?
- NCSU website
- Craigslist
- Indeed.com
- Carolina Job Finder/Employment Guide
- NC Works
- Dress for Success
- Technical/Trade School Program
- Job Fair (Identify Job Fair in question #2 below)
- Direct Contact from NSCU Representative (identify person in question #2 below)
- Other
- Monster.com
- Other online job board
- NCSU employee referral
- Social Media (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Ohter)

If you learned about this vacancy from \"other source\" or \"other website\", please provide the source.
(Open Ended Question)

* Please select the response below that best describes your experience/education for the University Program Specialist position.
- Bachelor's degree and one year of related experience
- Master's degree or Doctorate in any field
- Associate's degree and at least 3 years of related experience
- Combination of post-high school education and/or experience in a related area to equal at least 5 years (ex: 1 year of college and 4 years of experience)
- High school diploma/GED and at least 5 years of related experience
- Did not complete high school but have a combination of high school education and related experience to equal 9 years (ex. 1 year of high school and 8 years experience)
- None of the above