Pre-Award Grant Specialist

Special Instruction to Applicants : Please attach a cover letter and a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application.

Summary:

The Pre-Award Concierge Specialist will serve in the Office of Sponsored Projects and Research Compliance (SPARC) as an administrator of all activities related to proposal preparation and submission for a specific school(s) and/or department(s), supporting all phases of proposal development and pre-award research administration. This position requires independent and analytical thinking in a timely manner in order to respond to faculty in submitting grant proposals in a deadline driven environment.

Essential Functions

- Conducts formal solicitation, negotiation, and administration of grants by government and non-government sponsors
- Accepts basic grant and sub awards (under grant prime) on behalf of the university
- Assists department administrators, principal investigators, and staff; interpret and explain grant provisions and terms
- Assists in the resolution of problems arising in the course of the project; consults with department administrators, principal investigators, staff, and sponsors
- Partners with others to serve as a resource to educate units regarding institutional processes
- Provides content expertise to faculty requesting advice and interpretation of sponsoring agency guidelines and of University policies as they pertain to the development of research proposals and the proper administration of sponsored grants and contracts
- Analyzes complex situations, identify workable solutions / alternatives and effectively balance customer service with regulatory compliance
- May assist with training staff in the procedures and applicable regulations related to sponsored projects
- May serve as a back up to the supervisor as designated during the supervisor’s absence
- Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

- Develops timelines for all proposal documents to be submitted
- Develops a plan with PIs to prepare required grant proposal application elements
- Keeps a calendar of all upcoming grant submissions and their due date
- Reviews sponsor guidelines and identify key issues, facilitate proposal team meetings with appropriate individuals
- In collaboration with the PI, develops and reviews the budget, maintain a working timeline, secure appropriate subcontract information, and assist with attaining cost share commitments and sponsor forms
- Collects and inputs proposal documents such as other support information and narrative into Cayuse and the electronic submission system
- Submits for routing in Cayuse to obtain appropriate academic electronic approvals
- Assures the proposal meets all sponsor guidelines and is in final form
- Obtains institutional approval for proposal
- Submits proposals to sponsors
- Assists with sponsor request such as revised budgets, just in time information and submit the request to the sponsor
- Assists with award setups and non-financial transactions (no cost extension, change in scope, etc.) in coordination with school/department post-award staff and central SPARC
- Ensures outgoing subawards are finalized and activated timely

Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree
- 3 years of research administration experience
- Knowledge of grant programs and processes
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- The ability to organize and manage multiple proposals
- Must be able to interpret complex regulations and requirements

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.

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