New

Pre-Award Consultant

North Carolina State University

$ 36,381 - $ 91,526

life insurance, flexible benefit account, paid time off

United States, North Carolina, Raleigh

Jul 21, 2026

Job Posting Information

Posting Number	PG195130SP
Internal Recruitment	No
Working Title	Pre-Award Consultant
Anticipated Hiring Range	Commensurate with Experience ($61,000 - $63,000)
Work Schedule	Core Business Hours: Monday - Friday (8:00 am - 5:00 pm); expectation of 40 hours per week.
Job Location	Raleigh, North Carolina
Department	CALS Business Office
About the Department	The College of Agriculture & Life Sciences (CALS) Office of Research Administration (ORA) is the college's central resource for sponsored research administration, providing comprehensive support throughout the entire grant lifecycle-from identifying funding opportunities and developing proposals to award management, regulatory oversight, and closeout. ORA partners with faculty and staff to facilitate the successful pursuit and administration of externally funded research while ensuring compliance with university policies and sponsor requirements. As the college's designated authority for externally sponsored grants and contracts, ORA oversees fiscal and regulatory compliance for funding from federal, state, industry, foundation, commodity, and other sponsors. The office serves as the primary point of contact for sponsored research administration, supports institutional and sponsor audits, and helps advance the college's research mission by providing expert guidance, responsive service, and strategic partnership to faculty and departments.
Wolfpack Perks and Benefits	As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone. What we offer: Medical, Dental, and Vision Flexible Spending Account Retirement Programs Disability Plans Life Insurance Accident Plan Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs 12 Holidays Each Year Tuition and Academic Assistance And so much more! Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community. Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.
Essential Job Duties	The Pre-Award Consultant serves as a trusted partner to faculty throughout the sponsored research proposal process, helping transform research ideas into competitive, compliant funding proposals. Working independently, you will manage a portfolio of departments while collaborating with principal investigators, department business staff, university offices, and external sponsors to guide proposal development from concept through submission. Your expertise in interpreting sponsor requirements, developing proposal budgets, and navigating university and sponsor systems ensures proposals are accurate, timely, and positioned for success. Your ability to exercise sound judgment, communicate clearly, foster productive partnerships, and remain organized under competing deadlines will be essential to supporting faculty and advancing the college's research mission. Key Responsibilities: Partner with principal investigators and department staff to develop, review, and submit competitive grant and contract proposals that comply with sponsor and university requirements. Manage the pre-award activities for an assigned portfolio of departments, independently coordinating multiple proposals and competing deadlines. Interpret sponsor guidelines, funding opportunities, and university policies to provide strategic guidance on proposal preparation, budgeting, and submission requirements. Develop and review proposal budgets, budget justifications, and supporting documentation to ensure accuracy, allowability, and compliance. Coordinate proposal submissions through university and sponsor electronic research administration systems while monitoring timelines and resolving issues that could delay submission. Serve as the primary point of contact for sponsors and university partners during the proposal review and pre-award process, obtaining clarifications, approvals, and required documentation. Monitor proposal activity, generate reports, and communicate funding trends and submission outcomes to college leadership and departmental stakeholders. Build collaborative relationships across the college by providing responsive customer service, training, and guidance that supports faculty success and strengthens the university's research enterprise. If you enjoy collaborating with researchers, solving complex problems, and helping secure funding that advances innovative research, we encourage you to apply. Your expertise will directly support the success of faculty, strengthen the college's research mission, and contribute to discoveries that make a meaningful impact locally and globally.
Other Responsibilities	In addition to the core responsibilities of this role, there will be occasional opportunities to take on additional duties such as; Representing the departments and the College at University meetings. Takes an active role in professional organizations to enhance the resources, visibility, and reputation of the University. This offers an opportunity to build on your skills, explore new areas, and gain a deeper understanding of the department's operations.

Qualifications

Minimum Experience/Education	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.
Preferred Qualifications	Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state, foundation, and other sponsored research proposal submission systems, such as RED, Grants.gov, eRA Commons, NSF Research.gov/FastLane, or similar electronic research administration platforms. Ability to interpret sponsor guidelines, funding announcements, and proposal requirements to develop compliant, competitive submissions and recommend appropriate courses of action. Knowledge of sponsored research administration principles, including proposal development, budget preparation, business administration, and applicable accounting practices. Working knowledge of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and sponsor regulations governing the administration of externally funded research. Experience supporting grants or sponsored research administration within a large public university, research-intensive institution, or similarly complex organization.
Required License or Certification	N/A
Valid NC Driver's License required	No
Commercial Driver's License Required?	No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date	07/20/2026
Earliest Close Date---- (Positions will be posted until 5:00 PM ET on this date. Positions remaining posted after this date are still accepting applications but may close at any time.)	07/24/2026
Notice to Applicants
Special Instructions	Please attach a Cover Letter, resume/CV, and contact information for three (3) professional references. Please make sure that the information entered on the application matches what is on your resume.

Position Details

Position Number	00043565
Position Type	SHRA
Position Classification Band Title	University Program Specialist
Position Classification Band Level	Journey
Position Classification Salary Range	$ 36,381 - $ 91,526
Salary Grade Equivalency	70
Alternate Option	If no applicants apply who meet the required competency level and training & experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.
Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)	1.00
Appointment	12 Month Recurring
Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather	Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather
Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events	Non Mandatory - Emergency Event
Time Limited Position	No
Time-Limited Appointment Length (if applicable)
Department Id	110305 - CALS Business Office
EEO	NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity. If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu. Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit. NC State University 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.