Pre-Awards Grant Manager (Temporary)

University of Washington; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 82,008 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Washington in Seattle is seeking a temporary Pre‑Award Grants Manager to lead pre‑award research administration for the department. You will collaborate with PIs, sponsors, and university offices to develop budgets, prepare proposals, and ensure compliance with sponsor and university policies.

The role reports to the Grants and Contracts Director and involves managing the full proposal process, identifying direct-cost salaries, and coordinating with the Post‑Award team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, research administration, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in research administration including pre-award proposals, complex budgets, sub-awards, and sponsor negotiation.
• Ability to communicate budget and policy information to scientists and build strong relationships.
• Proactive problem-solving, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects.
• Experience with NIH, DOD, CDC and non-federal sponsors (e.g., Gates Foundation) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead pre-award grant management and budget oversight for the assigned portfolio.
• Prepare complex proposal budgets and administrative sections, and ensure sponsor compliance.
• Submit proposals via SAGE and sponsor portals, guiding applicants to internal deadlines.
• Coordinate with PIs on strategic funding plans and identify direct-cost salary opportunities.
• Support NDAs, DUAs, IP agreements, and IPAs handling and review.
• Assist with post-award tasks and ensure continuity across award lifecycle.

Skills

Attention to detail

Project management

Communication

Relationship building

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business, Research Administration, or related field

Tools

MS Office Suite

eRA Commons

ASSIST

Grants.gov

SAGE

Workday Finance

Asana

Job description

Job Description

The Department of Epidemiology is seeking a temporary Pre‑Award Grants Manager to join their team. The Manager will support the department’s research mission by leading pre‑award research administration activities, collaborating with principal investigators, sponsors, and university offices, and ensuring compliance with all internal and external requirements.

About This Opportunity

Reporting to the Grants and Contracts Director, the Pre‑Award Grants Manager is responsible for all aspects of pre‑award research administration for the assigned research portfolio. Duties include developing proposal timelines, creating budgets, preparing administrative sections of proposals, writing technical components, ensuring compliance, performing quality control, and building strong partnerships with faculty and staff. The position is based at the University of Washington Seattle campus and operates Monday through Friday during standard business hours.

Key Responsibilities

• Pre‑Award Grant Management and Oversight (70%) – Lead continuous process improvement, design and implement new processes and systems for budget oversight, establish improved procedures for monitoring budgets and contracts, and provide timely information to leadership.
• Work strategically with Epi PIs to identify and apply for grants that support current and future research initiatives. Prepare complex proposal budgets, administrative sections, and compile sponsor‑required data.
• Ensure successful proposal submission and compliance by exercising independent judgment, interpreting and applying sponsor, UW, federal, and state policies.
• Interpret funding agency regulations and UW policies, advising PIs and project personnel.
• Manage the entire proposal process from start to finish, creating administrative documents, submitting proposals through SAGE and sponsor portals, and guiding applicants through internal UW deadlines.
• Proactively identify administrative salaries that can be included as direct costs and ensure costings are applied to awarded projects, coordinating with the Post‑Award Grants Manager.
• Facilitate the review and processing of NDAs, DUAs, IP agreements, and IPAs.
• Review and approve proposals involving Epidemiology faculty, staff, or resources.
• Compile and organize all required Just‑In‑Time materials such as biosketches and commitment letters.
• Coordinate Award Setup Requests, Modifications, and related award actions throughout the award lifecycle.
• Manage faculty, staff, and student funding assignments, including initial setup and award actions.
• Collaborate with other department personnel overseeing training grant tasks, providing support as needed.
• Assist PIs with strategic planning regarding funding and resource allocation.
• Guide and train Epi faculty and students on pre‑award processes and policies.
• Resolve matters related to pre‑award financial activities.
• Develop and maintain close relationships with internal and external research sponsors and partners.

• Post‑Award Grant Management (20%) – Assist and provide backup to the Department’s Post‑Award Grants Manager and Grants Director, follow sponsor guidelines, liaise with PIs on post‑award matters, and coordinate award administration activities.

Other Duties (10%) – Perform additional tasks that support the overall success of grant and finance activities in the Department.

Required Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Research Administration, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in research administration, including pre‑award proposal submission, complex budgets, sub‑awards, and sponsor negotiation.

Additional Qualifications

• Attention to detail and proven ability to manage multiple projects in an organized, thorough, and timely manner.
• Experience with federal sponsors such as NIH, DOD, and CDC, plus non‑federal sponsors such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
• Ability to synthesize and communicate budget and policy information to scientists.
• Strong relationship‑building skills and capability to address complex administrative issues.
• Proactive problem‑solving and communication skills.
• High proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and ability to quickly learn new technologies.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in basic science and/or clinical research programs at a large academic institution.
• Knowledge of UW policies and procedures related to grants and contracts, and experience with UW operational offices such as OSP and GCA.
• Experience using eRA Commons, ASSIST, Grants.gov, SAGE, and Workday Finance.
• Knowledge of compliance requirements related to human subjects, financial conflict of interest, and similar.
• Experience with project management tools such as Asana.

Working Conditions

• Often necessary to respond to deadlines with short lead times.
• May need to work outside of the normal 40‑hour workweek to meet deadlines.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum: $82,008.00 annually

Pay Range Maximum: $87,000.00 annually

Benefits

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-temporary-per-diem-and-less-than-half-time/

Shift: First Shift (United States)

Position Type: Temporary

FTE: 100%

Union/Bargaining Unit: Not Applicable

About the University of Washington

The University of Washington offers an environment that encourages innovation, professional growth, and community. Employees benefit from a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities to contribute to a diverse, intellectually vibrant setting.

Commitment

The University of Washington is an equal‑opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. For disability accommodations in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206‑543‑6450 or [e-mail].

Applicants must disclose any substantiated findings or investigations related to sexual misconduct at current or past employment, as required by Washington state law.