Pre-Award Lead Specialist

About Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State University (KSU) is one of the 50 largest public institutions in the United States. With growing enrollment and global reach, KSU expands its institutional influence and prominence beyond the state of Georgia. We offer more than 190 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to empower our 47,000 students to become thought leaders, lifelong learners, and informed global citizens. Our entrepreneurial spirit, high‑impact research, Division I athletics, and vibrant campus culture make us an employer of choice.

KSU is part of the University System of Georgia and is committed to diversity, equity, innovation, and community partnership.

Job : 292134
Location: Kennesaw, Georgia (primary campus: 1000 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144; Marietta campus: 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060)
Employment Type: Full Time
Base Salary: Midpoint $96,000 (offers based on relevant experience)

Responsible for managing assigned staff and overseeing proposal review, grant award, and contract intake and review. Builds and maintains positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, partners with various KSU offices, analyzes and interprets policy and procedure related to research administration, and disseminates research administration‑related information to campus. Acts as liaison with sponsors and internal stakeholders to promote research collaborations.

• Leads assigned staff within the Pre‑Award unit
• Advises on and contributes to applicable policies and procedures for proposal review and submission, award intake, and other pre‑award related areas
• Develops and provides detailed proposal checklists, templates, and timelines to manage workflows and guide faculty through the proposal development process
• Reviews federal, state, local, nonprofit, and industry grant and contract applications
• Provides guidance throughout the budget development process ensuring compliance and accuracy prior to proposal submission
• Obtains and/or provides institutional components of proposals and performs administrative validation on all proposal elements
• Prepares proposals for submission to sponsors using electronic submission portals (Cayuse, Fast Lane/Research.gov, Assist, grants.gov)
• Manages routing process in Cayuse or other electronic grants management system
• Facilitates Just‑In‑Time and other pre‑award actions requiring institutional authorized review
• Intakes awards and prepares internal documentation for hand‑off to other Sponsored Programs Administration units
• Provides high quality customer service to faculty and other staff throughout the proposal development and submission process
• Leads team and faculty training
• Aids in electronic system management and updating for both internal and sponsor systems
• Serves as primary intermediary with all pertinent sponsors, faculty, staff, and campus entities
• Ensures adherence to quality standards, all policies, and award regulations

Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Experience: Five (5) years of experience in a sponsored programs office aiding in proposal review, submission, and management of externally sponsored activity and/or research development within a university setting, nonprofit institution, or academic medical center. Experience with Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200, federal agency regulations, and non‑federal sponsor guidelines.

Additional

Preferred Qualifications:

Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or Certified Pre‑Award Research Administrator (CPRA)

Preferred Educational

Qualifications:

Advanced degree from an accredited institution

Preferred Experience: Experience with Cayuse or other electronic grants management systems; experience using Fast Lane/Research.gov, Assist, and grants.gov for proposal submission; experience using project management software to organize workflow.

Midpoint of the salary range is $96,000. Comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, 13 paid holidays, vacation, generous…