Pre-Award Specialist - Faculty Shared Services

University of Connecticut; Storrs (CT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Connecticut’s Office of the Vice President for Research is seeking a Pre-Award Grants and Contracts Specialist to manage day-to-day pre-award administration for a high-volume portfolio across multiple campuses. The role requires on-site work in Storrs, CT on occasion and offers a competitive benefits package.

Preferred candidates will have a bachelor’s degree in a related field with four years of related experience or an equivalent combination, plus strong communication and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and four years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated time management, follow-through, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Liaise between investigators, academic units, and administrative offices during proposal prep and review.
• Provide guidance on sponsored project administration to faculty and staff.
• Review proposals for compliance with federal/state statutes, University policy, and sponsor guidelines.
• Identify and resolve grant and contract issues related to budget, cost sharing, and administration.
• Maintain records per requirements and assist with audits in coordination with SPS leadership.
• Support policy discussions and participate in sponsored program training as needed.
• Perform related work as required.

Skills

Communication skills

Time management

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Tools

grants.gov

research.gov

NSPIREs

eRA Commons

Job description

Job Summary

Job Summary The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) is competitively recruiting talented grants and contracts/sponsored project professionals to join our research administration team. Sponsored Program Services (SPS) is responsible for administering a portfolio of $375M in annually awarded funding across all UConn campuses and UConn Health. We are a top-ranked public research university and land grant institution, rurally situated in the “Quiet Corner” of Northeast Connecticut.

The Pre-Award Grants and Contracts Specialist provides day-to-day management and oversight for a high volume of pre-award administration.

It is important to note that this role will need to be conducted on site on occasion in Storrs, CT.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Serves as a liaison between investigators, academic units, and other administrative offices throughout the proposal preparation and review process.
• Provides technical assistance, guidance, and advice to faculty, administrators, and other professional staff for sponsored project administration.
• Reviews financial and administrative aspects of proposals or transactions to ensure compliance with federal and state statutes, University policy, and sponsor guidelines and requirements.
• Following University policies, sponsor requirements, and state and federal requirements, identifies and assists with resolving grant and contract issues pertaining to budget, cost sharing, fiscal, administrative, and procedural constraints, and other similar matters.
• Maintains records in accordance with University, state, federal, and sponsor requirements. Provides records as requested and collaborates with SPS leadership in response to audits.
• May participate in policy and procedure discussions and recommend policy or procedural changes as appropriate to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• May participate in the development and delivery of sponsored program training. Performs related work as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and four years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated time management, follow-through, and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with and knowledge of Uniform Guidance and/or the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).
• Experience preparing and/or reviewing proposals within electronic research administration systems (such as grants.gov, research.gov, NSPIREs, and eRA Commons).
• Experience working in research administration at an institution of higher education.
• Experience working in a high volume, high production, and customer-facing professional environment.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, permanent position. Candidates must be able to work on site on occasion in Storrs, CT. The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. For additional information regarding benefits visit: https://hr.uconn.edu/benefits-beyond-pay/.

Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on September 25, 2026.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community. The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disabilities, veteran’s status, status as a victim of domestic violence and/or sexual assault and/or trafficking in persons as defined by Connecticut law, prior conviction of a crime, workplace hazards to the reproductive systems, or gender identity or expression.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO employer including for Disability and Veteran status.