Assistant Director of Pre-Award Services

Title:
Assistant Director of Pre-Award Services

Department:
Office of Research & Development

Reports To:
Director of Pre-Award Services Office of Research & Development

Position Type:
Staff

Position Summary:
The Assistant
Director for Pre-award Services will provide leadership and oversight for the
pre-award functions within the university's Office of Research. This role will
manage the review and submission of research proposals, ensuring compliance
with institutional policies and sponsor requirements. The position also
coordinates award and subcontract administration, provides strategic support to
faculty and researchers, and collaborates with multiple colleges to facilitate
successful grant applications.
This role is essential for
ensuring the smooth and effective administration of research proposal
activities across the university, driving a culture of compliance,
collaboration, and excellence.

Essential Functions:
Proposal Submission:
- Oversee the submission of all sponsored program proposals across NJIT that flow
through the Office of Research.
- Ensure all proposals
comply with university policies, sponsor guidelines, and federal regulations
(e.g., NIH, NSF, DOE, CFR, etc).
- Serve as the primary point
of contact for pre-award administrators, providing expert guidance on proposal
preparation, sponsor guidelines, and application systems (e.g., Grants.gov, NSF
Research.gov, Proposal Central, etc).
- Review and provide
feedback on proposal documents, including budget justifications, narratives,
and compliance sections.
- Coordinate submission of
grant applications, ensuring adherence to internal and external deadlines.

Award &
Subcontract Administration:
- Oversee the
execution and setup process of award and contract acceptance facilitating
documentation and data compliance in regards to standard operating procedures.
- Oversee the administration
of subcontracts in collaboration with external partners and internal teams,
ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.
- Review subaward agreements,
budgets, and scopes of work.
- Work closely with the
post-award team to ensure smooth transitions from proposal to award phase.

Compliance and
Risk Management:
- Ensure all proposal
submissions adhere to university compliance standards, including conflict of
interest, export control, and research integrity.
- Collaborate with the
compliance office to stay informed of changing federal, state, and
institutional policies and regulations.
- Develop and implement
training programs for faculty and staff on pre-award best practices and
compliance requirements.

Strategic and
Operational Support:
- Develop and maintain
strong relationships with the leadership in other Office of Research
departments and other stakeholders to foster a collaborative environment for
proposal submission.
- Track and analyze
pre-award activity metrics to inform strategic planning and process
improvements.
- Assist with the
development of policies and procedures to streamline the pre-award process.

Leadership and
Supervision:
- Foster a culture of
customer service and efficiency within the pre-award team, ensuring timely,
high-quality support for faculty.
- Assist the Senior Director
in setting strategic goals for the department and lead initiatives to enhance
research support services.

Prerequisite Qualifications:
Education:
Bachelor's degree required (Master's preferred) in a related field
such as business administration, research administration, or public
administration.

Experience:
At least 3-5 years of experience in research administration, with a focus on
pre-award services, proposal development, and/or sponsored program management
in an academic setting.

Skills:
- Comprehensive understanding of federal, state, and sponsor regulations
governing research funding.
- Proven ability to
manage multiple, complex projects under strict deadlines.
- Strong
interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively across
departments and colleges.
- Excellent written
and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency with
grant submission platforms (e.g., Grants.gov, NSF Research.gov, Proposal
Central, etc) and research administration software (e.g., Streamlyne).
-At the university's discretion, the education and experience
prerequisites may be exempted where the candidate can demonstrate to the
satisfaction of the university, an equivalent combination of education and
experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position

Preferred Qualifications:
- Knowledge of federal and sponsor-specific
research policies and regulations, including OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200).
- Certification in Research
Administration (CRA) or related certifications is preferred but not required.

Bargaining Unit:
PSA

Range/Band:
26

FLSA:
Exempt
Full-Time

Special Instructions to
Applicants:
- This position may require occasional evening
or weekend work to meet proposal deadlines.
- Hybrid work arrangements
may be available based on the needs of the university and the Office of
Research.