Pre-Award Program Manager (Hybrid or Remote Possible)

Job Description

Come grow with us! During the 2024 fiscal year, researchers at the University of Notre Dame submitted 1,310 proposals for external research funding for a total amount of $1.016 billion — the first time the University has surpassed the billion-dollar mark for proposals. In addition, the University received 829 separate awards — the largest number on record. With $223 million in total funding, these awards propelled the University past the $200 million mark for the fourth straight year. To support this immense growth, Notre Dame Research is recruiting talented research administration professionals to enhance the team that will steward our research enterprise into its next phase.

Notre Dame Research Administration and Compliance ( NDRAC ) seeks detail-oriented and conscientious professionals to join the Pre-Award Services team serving Notre Dame’s world-class faculty and students in developing, assembling, and submitting proposals for external funding. Pre-Award team members are assigned a portfolio of principal investigators and their lab personnel to provide a single point of contact for faculty and administrators in the colleges and departments. They are responsible for assisting faculty in preparing and submitting proposals and applications to sponsors in accordance with each funding agency’s guidelines and mandates.

Responsibilities of the Pre-Award Program Manager include drafting proposal budgets and justifications; obtaining clearances on cost share commitments and other requests for organizational support; responding to application inquiries and meeting with faculty and administrators to review proposal guidelines and prepare non-scientific and programmatic aspects of proposals.

NDRAC strives to deliver a seamless customer service experience to our faculty and researchers throughout the entirety of the research lifecycle. Thus, members of the Pre-Award Services team must be able to work both independently and collaboratively within a wider team. They will use and grow their best judgment to identify when additional approvals or consultation amongst other functional teams on federal compliance, IRB , IACUC , Export Control, and more are required.

We are searching for a research administration professional who has a deep curiosity and a strong desire to learn. Responsibilities and level of supervision required will be determined according to the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate (see level qualifications below).

Notre Dame Research is committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity and ensures that members of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome, and included. We strive to achieve a culture of openness, autonomy, and belonging; making Notre Dame an exceptional place for our team, partners, and collaborators to flourish.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications for Level I Professional:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Will consider an equivalent combination of education and significant relevant experience.
• 1 to 2 years of professional work experience.
  
  

Qualifications For Level II Professional

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 3 to 4 years of applicable experience in research or sponsored program administration in higher education or similar research environment.
• Candidates must have the ability to analyze and interpret federal and non-federal regulations.
• Candidates must be able to adeptly navigate multiple computer-based internal and external research administration systems and to provide support to users within their portfolios.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required as is the ability to interface with a variety of personnel in a professional and cooperative manner while navigating high-stakes conversations surrounding nuanced budget and proposal decisions.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills; robust time and project management skills.
• Ability to work under the pressure of internal and external deadlines in a calm and efficient manner and convey confidence to stakeholders.
• A proven track record in facilitating organizational efficiencies and delivering improved customer service in order to best serve the research community.
• The ability to work across organizational units, and with academic and administrative partners.
  
  

Qualifications For Level III Professional

• All qualifications of Level II Professionals but with 5 to 6 years of experience.
• Ability to peer teach team members and other collaborators
• Ability to evaluate Pre-Award Services policies and procedures and support the Director with analysis and updates.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications for Level III Professional candidates include:

• Masters or terminal degree.
• Certified Research Administrator ( CRA ) or Certified Pre-Award Research Administrator certification preferred but not required.
• Project management certification is also desirable.
  
  

Special Instructions to Applicants

Department Notre Dame Research Administration (43100)

Department Website research.nd.edu

Family / Sub-Family Academic Aff / Grant Admin/Proposals

Career Stream/Level EIC 2 Professional

FLSA Status S1 - FT Exempt