Pre-Award Specialist - Faculty Shared Services

Job Summary

Job Summary The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) is competitively recruiting talented grants and contracts/sponsored project professionals to join our research administration team. Sponsored Program Services (SPS) is responsible for administering a portfolio of $375M in annually awarded funding across all UConn campuses and UConn Health. We are a top-ranked public research university and land grant institution, rurally situated in the “Quiet Corner” of Northeast Connecticut.

The Pre-Award Grants and Contracts Specialist provides day-to-day management and oversight for a high volume of pre-award administration.

It is important to note that this role will need to be conducted on site on occasion in Storrs, CT.

• Serves as a liaison between investigators, academic units, and other administrative offices throughout the proposal preparation and review process.
• Provides technical assistance, guidance, and advice to faculty, administrators, and other professional staff for sponsored project administration.
• Reviews financial and administrative aspects of proposals or transactions to ensure compliance with federal and state statutes, University policy, and sponsor guidelines and requirements.
• Following University policies, sponsor requirements, and state and federal requirements, identifies and assists with resolving grant and contract issues pertaining to budget, cost sharing, fiscal, administrative, and procedural constraints, and other similar matters.
• Maintains records in accordance with University, state, federal, and sponsor requirements. Provides records as requested and collaborates with SPS leadership in response to audits.
• May participate in policy and procedure discussions and recommend policy or procedural changes as appropriate to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• May participate in the development and delivery of sponsored program training. Performs related work as required.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and four years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated time management, follow-through, and organizational skills.

• Experience with and knowledge of Uniform Guidance and/or the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).
• Experience preparing and/or reviewing proposals within electronic research administration systems (such as grants.gov, research.gov, NSPIREs, and eRA Commons).
• Experience working in research administration at an institution of higher education.
• Experience working in a high volume, high production, and customer-facing professional environment.

This is a full-time, permanent position.
Candidates must be able to work on site on occasion in Storrs, CT. The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. For additional information regarding benefits visit: https://hr.uconn.edu/benefits-beyond-pay/.

Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA).

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on September 25, 2026.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and…