Senior Contracts and Grants Specialist

The University of Texas at Austin; Texas; On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin's Charles A Dana Center seeks a Senior Contracts and Grants Specialist to oversee grant and contract administration and ensure compliance with sponsor requirements. You will prepare and submit proposals and agreements, manage payments and deposits, and serve as the primary contact for sponsors, PIs, vendors, and university offices at the Pickle Research Campus.

This exempt, full-time role requires meticulous attention to detail, strong communication, and the

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least five years of experience in grant and contract proposals and awards.
• Experience with federal, state, foundations, or other funding agencies.
• Ability to interpret sponsor guidelines and manage deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and submit proposals, agreements, and contracts through OSP and VPCFO.
• Review RFP solicitations and grant proposal guidelines.
• Manage payment vouchers, purchase orders, invoices, and deposits in DEFINE and related systems.
• Serve as liaison for sponsors, PIs, vendors, and university offices.
• Maintain electronic records of fully executed contractual agreements and grant awards.

Skills

Attention to detail

Verbal communication

Written communication

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Job Posting Title

Senior Contracts and Grants Specialist

Hiring Department

Charles A Dana Center

Position Open To

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours

40

FLSA Status

Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date

Nov 02, 2026

Position Duration

Expected to Continue

Location

PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS

Job Details

General Notes

May require occasional evening or weekend work to meet sponsor deadlines.

Purpose

The Senior Contracts and Grants Specialist serves as the grant and contracts administrator for the Dana Center. The role prepares and submits proposals, agreements, and contracts through OSP and VPCFO to sponsoring agencies; manages payment vouchers, purchase orders, invoices, and deposits in DEFINE and related systems; serves as the point of contact for sponsors, Principal Investigators, vendors, and University offices; and supports the Finance Team with accounting policies, records, and administrative needs.

Responsibilities

Grant & Contract Administration

• • Function as grant and contracts administrator for the Dana Center.
  • Work with Dana Center staff to prepare and submit proposals, agreements, and contracts for submission to prospective sponsoring agencies and organizations.
  • Review request for proposals (RFP) solicitations
  • Grant proposal guidelines (Federal, Foundations, and State agencies)
  • Service Agreements (Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Interagency, etc.)
  • Utilize internal university systems and external sponsor programs throughout the proposal and contracting process.

Sponsor & Stakeholder Liaison

• • Serve as point of contact for sponsors, Principal Investigators, training sites, and service providers, and act as departmental liaison supporting the management of proposals, contracts, awards, and other agreements with:
    • University Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP)
    • Vice President of Chief Financial Operations (VPCFO)
    • UT Foundation
    • Office of Accounting and Purchasing offices

Financial & Payment Operations

• • Initiate and finalize the Payee Information Form (PIF) process with new vendors/consultants to acquire a university EID and initiate the payment procedures.
  • Maintain clear communication with external vendors/service providers throughout the payment process.
  • Process Purchase Order encumbrance requests, amendments, and cancellations through the Point Plus System.
  • Complete invoice payment processing for service agreements, sub-awards, consultant, and other payment types using the DEFINE accounting system.
  • Manage various Smartsheet internal requests relating to payment vouchers and contracts and grants processing.
  • Audit and approve departmental travel vouchers in the DEFINE system as the 2nd of 2 initial approvers, checking for accuracy, compliance with Action Plan Budgets, and UT accounting policies.

Accounting Policy & Finance Team Support

• • Collaborate, develop, and/or create plans, manuals, and departmental policies for accounting and administration.
  • Provide support to the Finance Team, Operations, and Chief Operating Officer as needed.

Records Management

• • Maintain electronic records of supporting documents for fully executed contractual agreements and grant awards on the Dana Center server.

Organizational Culture & Other Duties

• • Participate in processes and activities designed to establish an organizational culture that supports learning, collaboration, and collective responsibility.
  • Help enhance professional relationships, satisfaction, and organizational effectiveness.
  • Perform other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least five years of experience in the preparation, processing, and monitoring of grant and contract proposals and awards.
• Demonstrated experience working with federal, state, foundation, or other funding agencies, and the ability to interpret and apply sponsor guidelines.
• Strong attention to detail and demonstrated ability to manage multiple, competing deadlines in a high-volume office environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as a self-starter, as well as collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.