Pre-Award Research Administrator
George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States
Pre-Award Research Administrator
Location: Fairfax, VA | Classification: Classified Staff | Opening on: Apr 23 2026
The Pre-Award Research Administrator is responsible for managing pre-award activities for an assigned portfolio of grants and contracts for departments or centers within the College of Engineering and Computing using knowledge of grant and contract management rules and regulations, technical expertise, and analytical skills. The Pre-Award Research Administrator manages the day-to-day operations and objectives in support of the assigned portfolio, contributes information and ideas related to areas of responsibility as part of a cross functional team, and ensures effective and efficient workflow and adherence to quality standards for staff/program and self.
Responsibilities
Follows and adheres to processes and activities related to pre-award function
Performs pre-award activities for a department or center within the College of Engineering and Computing
Assisting faculty/PI in the development, preparation, and submission of grant and contract proposals
Ensures all applications meet agency and university guidelines and published timetables and deadlines, including management of the Just-In-Time process; and ensures proposals are entered and routed in a timely manner for further review
Confers with PI and pre-award support staff at collaborating institutions to secure necessary subaward documents for proposals
Assists PI in the development of budgets and budget justification, proofing the budget for inconsistencies and ensuring accuracy
Reviews budgets for consistency with sponsor and monitors compliance with agency and University regulations regarding submission; verifies all financial information including application of the appropriate overhead rate for the project
Advises PI on administrative requirements in preparing proposal submissions, on budget adjustments and revisions necessary to meet sponsor requirements, and coordinates and reviews certain proposal elements (biosketches, current and pending, other support and facilities and resources) for consistency, accuracy, and completeness; and reviews proposals for consistency with sponsor guidelines on budget, format, font size, and page limits excluding narrative content
Monitors and facilitates proposal process through the routing process in compliance with university procedures and institutional signatures, obtains signatures as needed, and monitors proposal status and advises PI on requirements and deadlines associated with research protection protocols
Other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent
Experience creating budgets and working with stakeholders on revisions as needed
Experience reviewing documents and comparing them to requirements or checklists
Experience providing quality customer service to individuals in a professional setting
Fundamental interpersonal skills in a professional environment
Proficient in the use of computers with a solid working knowledge of MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Skill in providing effective customer service
Demonstrated ability to analyze data and sponsor guidelines and formulate conclusions; learn changing technologies related to grants and contracts management; create high-quality written documents; proactively resolve issues in a timely manner; and work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in related field
Experience in Sponsored Programs Administration or related field
Experience with Hyperion Grant Administration System
Experience reviewing grant solicitations from a variety of sponsors and determining required documentation for proposal submission
Knowledge of federal rules and regulations relating to research grant and/or contract activity; University and College policies and procedures relating to grant and contracts activity; and University and College processes, systems, and offices related to and/or involved in grant and contract submission and management
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Location: Fairfax, VA | Classification: Classified Staff | Opening on: Apr 23 2026
The Pre-Award Research Administrator is responsible for managing pre-award activities for an assigned portfolio of grants and contracts for departments or centers within the College of Engineering and Computing using knowledge of grant and contract management rules and regulations, technical expertise, and analytical skills. The Pre-Award Research Administrator manages the day-to-day operations and objectives in support of the assigned portfolio, contributes information and ideas related to areas of responsibility as part of a cross functional team, and ensures effective and efficient workflow and adherence to quality standards for staff/program and self.
Responsibilities
Follows and adheres to processes and activities related to pre-award function
Performs pre-award activities for a department or center within the College of Engineering and Computing
Assisting faculty/PI in the development, preparation, and submission of grant and contract proposals
Ensures all applications meet agency and university guidelines and published timetables and deadlines, including management of the Just-In-Time process; and ensures proposals are entered and routed in a timely manner for further review
Confers with PI and pre-award support staff at collaborating institutions to secure necessary subaward documents for proposals
Assists PI in the development of budgets and budget justification, proofing the budget for inconsistencies and ensuring accuracy
Reviews budgets for consistency with sponsor and monitors compliance with agency and University regulations regarding submission; verifies all financial information including application of the appropriate overhead rate for the project
Advises PI on administrative requirements in preparing proposal submissions, on budget adjustments and revisions necessary to meet sponsor requirements, and coordinates and reviews certain proposal elements (biosketches, current and pending, other support and facilities and resources) for consistency, accuracy, and completeness; and reviews proposals for consistency with sponsor guidelines on budget, format, font size, and page limits excluding narrative content
Monitors and facilitates proposal process through the routing process in compliance with university procedures and institutional signatures, obtains signatures as needed, and monitors proposal status and advises PI on requirements and deadlines associated with research protection protocols
Other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent
Experience creating budgets and working with stakeholders on revisions as needed
Experience reviewing documents and comparing them to requirements or checklists
Experience providing quality customer service to individuals in a professional setting
Fundamental interpersonal skills in a professional environment
Proficient in the use of computers with a solid working knowledge of MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Skill in providing effective customer service
Demonstrated ability to analyze data and sponsor guidelines and formulate conclusions; learn changing technologies related to grants and contracts management; create high-quality written documents; proactively resolve issues in a timely manner; and work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in related field
Experience in Sponsored Programs Administration or related field
Experience with Hyperion Grant Administration System
Experience reviewing grant solicitations from a variety of sponsors and determining required documentation for proposal submission
Knowledge of federal rules and regulations relating to research grant and/or contract activity; University and College policies and procedures relating to grant and contracts activity; and University and College processes, systems, and offices related to and/or involved in grant and contract submission and management
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