Post-Award Services Specialist

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East Carolina University ( ECU) is consistently ranked among the nation's top public universities for its commitment to research, innovation, social mobility, and public service. Classified as a R1 institution by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education, ECU is among the top 5% of research universities in the United States, an elite designation reflecting the highest levels of research activity, funding, and doctoral output.

Founded in 1907, ECU is a public, four-year university located in Greenville, N.C., which and is widely regarded as the cultural, educational, economic, and medical hub of eastern North Carolina. Through education, research, healthcare, community engagement, athletics, cultural enrichment, and service, ECU enhances the quality of life for its students, the state and communities around the world. It is a great place to work, teach, and learn.

ECU's commitment to impactful scholarship is further demonstrated through its repeated Carnegie Community Engagement Classification (2010, 2015, 2024), as well as its 2024 designation as a Carnegie Leadership for Public Purpose institution. These distinctions recognize the university's leadership in translating research into meaningful community partnerships and measurable societal benefits.

The university supports its workforce through a wide range of professional development opportunities designed to foster career growth and skill advancement. Eligible employees also benefit from a comprehensive benefits package that promotes a healthy work-life balance.

Academic Affairs ("AA") is headed by the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs who serves as the institution's Chief Academic Officer ("CAO") and is responsible for administering academic policies. AA is comprised of each of the university's colleges, schools, and libraries, along with other academic support and administrative units, to include Learner Operations, Research, Economic Development and Engagement ( REDE), Institutional Planning, Assessment and Research, and Global Affairs. Academic Affairs works collaboratively to strengthen ECU's culture of academic excellence in line with our mission to be a national model for student success, public service, and regional transformation.

The Office for Research, Economic Development and Engagement ( REDE) is responsible for providing resources, advocacy, education and support to elevate and advance East Carolina University's research community and advancing the institution's public service and economic engagement agenda. The Senior Vice Provost for Research and Innovation leads REDE and is a direct report to the Provost. Two teams comprise REDE. The Office of Research is focused on research and the Office of Industry and Community Engagement focuses on industry, national security, economic and community development, and continuing and professional education.

The Office of Research provides oversight of ECU's research enterprise including grant administration and ethical conduct of research; ensures compliance with the federal, state, and University rules and regulations; and supports technology transfer and commercialization. The office includes Pre-Award Services, Post-Award Services, Research Integrity and Compliance, Compliance Monitoring, Research Administration Analytics, Research Development, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, the University Medical and Behavioral Institutional Review Board, and the Office of Licensing and Commercialization. The Coastal Studies Institute ( CSI) will also report within REDE. CSI is a collaborative, interinstitutional research, education, and outreach center led by East Carolina University.

In addition, The Office of Industry and Community Engagement collaborates with departments and colleges/schools across the University to amplify the university's service to and economic impact on North Carolina. This unit is the frontline resource for development and maturing of partnerships with entities in industry, state and local government, military agencies, nonprofit and faith-based organizations, and other regional stakeholders. The purpose of these partnerships is to create research and learning opportunities that bring ECU faculty, staff, and students together with external partners to benefit the university and helps advance mutually beneficial community and economic development interests. This office provides strategic leadership for engagement, outreach, public service, and economic development activities, ensuring all align with the university's mission and values. These activities are supported through various funding sources including state appropriations, grants, contracts, continuing education programs, and philanthropic donors.

East Carolina University is also a regional university hub of NC Innovation ( NCI). The Eastern Region NCI Hub is housed within the Office of Industry and Community Engagement and its director works closely with the Senior Vice Provost for Research and Innovation and other campus leaders to guide the partnership between NCI and the University.

Under the umbrella of the Office of Research, the Office of Research Administration ( ORA) provides centralized pre- and post-award services related to sponsored projects. ORA's PostAward Services team supports the financial, administrative, and compliance activities required to manage sponsored projects after an award has been issued. The team ensures that project expenditures, documentation, and reporting adhere to sponsor, federal, UNC System, and institutional requirements. Core functions include initiating and processing financial and purchasing transactions; maintaining organized, auditready project documentation; supporting effort reporting and billing activities; monitoring compliance with award terms and conditions; and facilitating communication among principal investigators, departmental administrators, and central offices to promote accurate and timely postaward administration. The ORA Post-Award Specialist provides comprehensive post-award financial management, compliance oversight, and PI support for sponsored projects. This position serves as the primary point of contact for the PIs and departments regarding financial and administrative management of sponsored projects. They are the liaison between the Financial Analysts, ADRs, and PIs.

Financial Management

Reviews all financial transactions for allowability, allocability, and reasonableness before routing them to the Post-Award Services Associate for processing.

Performs monthly reconciliations, monitors budgets, and prepares financial forecasts for assigned projects. Identifies and analyzes potential financial issues such as overspending, underspending, unallowable expenditures, or late expenses.

Determines and approves required corrective actions while providing oversight of the correction process. Assigns approved corrective actions, including journal entries and labor distributions or redistributions, to the Post-Award Services Associate and reviews completed actions for accuracy and compliance.

Monitors cost share commitments and subawards, serves as the primary point of contact for PIs regarding financial questions, and assists with change requests in eTRACS, including no cost extensions, budget redistributions, PI changes, and subaward actions.

Provides timely reminders to PIs regarding required report submissions.

Assists Financial Analysts, ADRs, or PIs with reporting requests.

New Award Management - Percentage of Total Time: 10%
Creates electronic award folders, confirms that required documentation is in place, and establishes personnel effort timelines, including anticipated start and end dates for project staff.

Works with Financial Analyst to develop draft project management plan for review by all stakeholders. Revises based on feedback. Distributes final project management plan to the PI and relevant stakeholders who will administer the project.

Attends Principal Investigator New Award Meeting to document stakeholders' roles and responsibilities related to project requirements, timelines, and expectations. Prepares and sends follow-up correspondence to attendees.

Responsible for ensuring all effort forms are pre-reviewed in the effort certification system and working with PIs to ensure salary and effort allocations accurately reflect the actual work performed. Ensures all effort forms are certified by the established deadline. When discrepancies or inaccuracies in effort are identified, collaborates with the Post-Award Services Associate to initiate and process the appropriate labor redistribution(s) to align payroll charges with actual effort performed prior to certification and ensure compliance with institutional and sponsor requirements.

Supports project closeout by providing Financial Analyst with required documentation and ensuring all transactions are posted, commitments cleared, and records completed.

Assists in verifying accuracy of final expenditures and adherence to all sponsor and institutional requirements prior to closeout.

Miscellaneous - Percentage of Total Time: 10%

Perform special projects, delegated managerial tasks, and other duties assigned by leadership.

Contingent upon availability of funds

Bachelor's degree and one year of experience related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

None

None

Master's degree (accounting or business-related degree) and one year of experience in post-award grant administration, fiscal/budgetary management and oversight.

Demonstrated expertise in university research administration, including best practices in post-award processes within a university or academic medical center environment, with strong knowledge of federal, state, industry, and foundation sponsor requirements and regulations (e.g., NIH, NSF, DOD, DOE, USDA).

Familiarity with Uniform Guidance, including cost principles, general accounting principles, and audit requirements for federal awards.

Experience working with broad types of sponsors including post-award administration requirements for federal, foundation, industry, and other external funding sources.

Demonstrated understanding for partnerships with faculty, senior administrators, and external research sponsor officials.

East Carolina University requires applicants to submit a candidate profile online in order to be considered for the position. Candidates must also submit a cover letter, resume, and a list of three references, including contact information, online.

At the time of employment two to three original letters of reference, official transcripts, a criminal background check, and proper documentation of identity and employability are required. Please be aware that if selected as a candidate of choice, an automatic e-mail will be sent to the individuals entered by the applicant in the References section in the PeopleAdmin applicant tracking system. Letters of reference submitted via the PeopleAdmin applicant tracking system will be verified and considered towards meeting this requirement.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must complete a candidate profile online via the PeopleAdmin system and submit any requested documents. Additionally, applicants that possess the preferred education and experience must also possess the minimum education/experience, if applicable.

Unless otherwise identified in the applicable job posting and consistent with University policy, the University will principally employ individuals who reside in the State of North Carolina to the greatest extent practicable. As such, most positions at East Carolina University require employees to live and work in North Carolina (or live within a reasonable daily commuting distance from their duty station) after hire. Candidates should be prepared to relocate within a reasonable, agreed-upon time after an offer of employment has been made and accepted to meet this requirement.

East Carolina University is committed to workforce success and cultivating a culture of care for our employees. ECU prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment based on race/ethnicity, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status or disability.

Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act ( ADAAA) should contact the ADA Coordinator at (252) 737-1018 (Voice/ TTY) or ADA-Coordinator@ecu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. ECU participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity at (252) 328-9847 or toll free at 1-866-489-1740 or send an email to employment@ecu.edu. Our office is available to provide assistance Monday-Friday from 8:00-5:00 EST.