EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Minimum Qualifications:

Current Bachelor’s degree required Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in sponsored research administration in an academic medical center or research-intensive institution.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree Supervisory or management experience

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS OR CERTIFICATIONS:

Required:

N/A

Preferred:

Certified Research Administrator (CRA).

JOB SUMMARY:

The Assistant Director of Pre-Award supports strategic and operational management for pre-award research administration activities. This role ensures timely and compliant proposal development and submission processes, provides leadership to pre-award staff, and partners with investigators, department administrators, and sponsors to facilitate high-quality research funding applications.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Lead and manage pre-award services, including proposal preparation, review, and submission for federal, state, foundation, for-profit entities, and other external funding opportunities. Develop and deliver training for faculty and staff on pre-award topics, including proposal planning, budgeting, and sponsor regulations. Serve as a subject matter expert in pre-award research administration policies, including Uniform Guidance, NIH, and other federal sponsor requirements, institutional policies, and sponsor-specific guidelines. Work collaboratively with faculty and AE/JSSOM Departmental leadership to develop competitive grant applications. Coordinate with compliance, finance, legal, and departmental staff on proposal-related issues, such as subawards, cost share, and budget development. Ensure proposals yield institutional policies, including those of the IRB and IACUC. Support the implementation and optimization of electronic research administration systems (e.g., Cayuse, InfoEd, COEUS). Participate in institutional strategic planning related to research development and sponsored program growth. Monitor trends in research funding and guide strategic opportunities for proposal development. Maintains and tracks pre-award documentation in the institutional grant management database, ensuring all submissions are accurate and deadlines are met.

MARGINAL OR PERIODIC FUNCTIONS:

Adheres to internal controls and reporting structure. Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

Deep understanding of federal regulations and sponsor policies (e.g., NIH, NSF, DoD, HRSA). Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and work collaboratively across departments. Proficiency in research administration systems and tools. Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

SUPERVISION:

Received: Assistant Chief Research Officer

Given: Administrative staff

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/EQUIPMENT:

Standard working environment/equipment.

Equal Employment Opportunity

UTMB Health strives to provide equal opportunity employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. As a Federal Contractor, UTMB Health takes affirmative action to hire and advance protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Compensation