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Pre-award Research Administrator / Proposal Development Specialist

  • Full Time, onsite
  • North Carolina Central University
  • On Site Hybrid, United States of America
Salary undisclosed

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Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Pre-award Research Administrator / Proposal Development Specialist (Contractual)

Location: North Carolina Central University (NCCU)

Employment Type: Contractual (Part-Time to Full-Time options available, Remote/Hybrid/Onsite flexibility)

Position Summary:

North Carolina Central University (NCCU) seeks an accomplished and motivated Proposal Development Specialist to support our growing research enterprise on a contractual basis. This role within the Division of Research and Sponsored Programs provides expert guidance and hands-on support for faculty in preparing competitive grant proposals. The Proposal Development Specialist will enhance NCCU s research profile by strengthening grant submissions and facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration, contributing to NCCU s mission to secure extramural funding and foster research excellence. This position offers flexibility for remote, hybrid, or onsite work arrangements.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Proposal Development & Strategic Consultation:
  • Collaborate closely with faculty to conceptualize research ideas, refine objectives, and develop competitive narratives that align with funding priorities.
  • Provide comprehensive support for large, multi-project programs and cooperative agreements, coordinating across departments to bring together interdisciplinary teams.
  • Funding Strategy & Opportunity Analysis:
  • Proactively identify funding opportunities from a variety of sources, including federal agencies (NIH, NSF, Dept of Education, DoD, DOE) and private foundations.
  • Conduct consultations with faculty to develop tailored funding strategies, supporting them in aligning projects with agency interests and NCCU s research priorities.
  • Budget Development & Compliance:
  • Develop detailed, compliant budgets and justifications that align with sponsor guidelines.
  • Guide faculty in understanding allowable costs and budget structures for complex, multi-component proposals.
  • Proposal Coordination & Documentation Management:
  • Oversee the full proposal preparation and submission process, ensuring high-quality assembly and timely submission through Cayuse or similar platforms.
  • Manage and track critical documents, including biosketches, letters of support, and compliance documentation.
  • Interdisciplinary Collaboration & Team Facilitation:
  • Facilitate and organize meetings for interdisciplinary teams, coordinating contributions from multiple departments and external partners to support ambitious, collaborative projects.
  • Review & Quality Enhancement:
  • Lead internal and external review processes to ensure proposal clarity, structure, and compliance with agency requirements.
  • Implement feedback and revisions to improve the competitiveness of submissions.
  • Post-Submission & Follow-Up Support:
  • Provide ongoing support after submission, including preparations for site visits, developing progress reports, and facilitating responses to agency reviews.
  • Assist faculty in interpreting reviewer feedback and developing resubmission strategies as needed.

Qualifications:

  • Education: Bachelor s degree required; Master s degree preferred in a relevant field such as research administration, business, or a scientific discipline.
  • Experience: At least 3 years of experience in proposal development, grant writing, or research administration in a higher education or research-focused environment.
  • Certifications: Certified Research Administrator (CRA) desired, indicating advanced knowledge and professionalism in research administration.
  • Technical Skills: Proficiency with Cayuse or similar grant management software is strongly preferred, along with experience in federal and private grant budgeting and compliance.
  • Agency Knowledge: Demonstrated understanding of the funding priorities and requirements for NIH, NSF, Dept of Education, DoD, DOE, and private funders.
  • Communication & Analytical Skills: Strong writing, editing, and organizational abilities, with a high level of analytical skill for budget and compliance oversight.
  • Interpersonal Skills: Proven ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, and external partners, with a collaborative mindset and a solution-oriented approach.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with complex, multi-institutional proposals, particularly those involving cooperative agreements, large subcontracts on interdisciplinary research initiatives.
  • Familiarity with NCCU s research environment and the specific goals of the Office of Research Development and Division of Research and Sponsored Programs.

Contract Terms:

  • Duration: Initial contract of 6 months, with potential for renewal based on performance and funding.
  • Hours: Flexible, with part-time to full-time arrangements negotiable.
  • Work Arrangement: Remote, hybrid, and onsite work arrangements available to accommodate the needs of qualified candidates.
Employers have access to artificial intelligence language tools (“AI”) that help generate and enhance job descriptions and AI may have been used to create this description. The position description has been reviewed for accuracy and Dice believes it to correctly reflect the job opportunity.
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