Pre-Award Manager
Pre-Award Manager
Benefits of Working at UNCW:
Want to become a soaring UNCW Seahawk and work at one of the best
universities on the East Coast? Want to put your toes in the sand
after a day of work? The University of North Carolina Wilmington
offers a wonderfully vibrant university community along with a
beautiful location just miles from the beach.Employees of UNCW are
provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other
programs, resources, policies, and practices that help to support a
work/life balance. Our programs have been designed to provide a
variety of choices to best fit your needs and the needs of your
family. Full time employees are eligible for dental, vision and
health insurance plans. Health insurance benefit plans eligibility
begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement
plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election
and include employer contributions for either a defined
contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans
are also available.Full time employees are also eligible for the
tuition waiver program which covers the cost of tuition and fees
for up to three (3) undergraduate or graduate courses per academic
year at UNCW or any other university within the UNC System. In
addition, UNCW covers the cost of tuition and fees for one UNCW
course each summer session. As a full time employee, UNCW also
offers a free membership to the Campus Recreation Center, free
vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, meditation and yoga
sessions, voluntary supplemental insurance coverages, pretax
flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays, 24 hours of paid
community service leave time, paid vacation and sick leave accrual
and family medical leave after 12 months of continuous service.We
also offer an abundance of training and development programs
through our Dare to Learn Academy, and the employee assistance
program, many of which are offered free of charge.
Recruitment Range: $75,321 - $85,000
Vacancy Number: E1490
Competency Level:
Location of Workplace: Main UNCW Campus
Home Department: Sponsored Programs & Research
Compliance - 31110
Division: Academic Affairs - 30 Division
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:
The Sponsored Programs and Research Compliance (SPARC) office is
committed to providing efficient and effective service to the
faculty and staff throughout the university in support of their
sponsored research and scholarship activities.
The Sponsored Programs and Research Compliance (SPARC) office is
charged with oversight of externally sponsored programs. SPARC
provides complete cradle-to‐grave sponsored program administration
and support to ensure faculty have the resources and encouragement
necessary to successfully and legally conduct their programs,
including a) support in identifying funding sources, b) assisting
faculty with the proposal and budget development, c)
monitoring/overseeing the responsible management of sponsored
projects, d) ensuring university compliance with contract/grant
fiscal and regulatory requirements, and e) protecting the
university from unrecovered revenue, disallowed costs, and
non‐compliance with state and federal policies pertaining to
sponsored programs. SPARC also administers the return of F&A to
departments. SPARC remains centralized for compliance and reporting
purposes but is becoming decentralized in service delivery to the
university research enterprise. SPARC seeks professionals who
demonstrate critical thinking and a client-centered mentality to
join the team. The office is committed to fostering a collaborative
community that contributes to an inclusive campus environment,
aiming to make UNCW a thriving place for staff, researchers and
stakeholders.
College:
College/School Information:
University Information:
The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state's coastal
university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring,
research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class
faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level
for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful
academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical
thinking.
A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a
full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well
as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology,
nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning
options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to-BSN
program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working
professionals, and the nation's only bachelor's degree program
focused on coastal engineering.
The university's efforts to advance research and scholarly
activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of "Doctoral
Universities: High Research Activity" institution (R2 University)
by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher
Education.
UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since
1969.
Location of Workplace: Main UNCW Campus
Brief Summary of Work for this Position:
The SPARC Pre-Award Manager is critical for the SPARC team in
support of current and future sponsored programs growth. The
Pre-Award Manager serves as part of the SPARC Leadership team and
will collaborate with various UNCW departments and offices in the
administration and development of systems designed to support and
enhance pre-award operations.
Under the direction of the SPARC Director, the Pre-Award Manager
oversees all pre-award activities for the SPARC office. The
individual makes decisions and authorizes actions in collaboration
with the leadership team. Duties include supervision, training, and
management of the SPARC Pre-Award Team (Sponsored Programs
Officers); advises Principle Investigators and supporting staff
with project proposals, budget analysis and review, and submission;
confirms compliance with the University and Sponsor guidelines and
requirements; holds delegated authority to evaluate and endorse
proposals on behalf of the University; coordinates and resolves
pre-award management and compliance issues, questions, and
procedures with other University offices; resolves complex and
higher-level issues; contributes to monthly, quarterly and annual
reporting, scrubbing data to ensure accuracy; and works closely
with the electronic research administration team to ensure fidelity
of the ERA system.
The Pre-Award Manager serves as a liaison among Principal
Investigators, university administrative units, sponsors, and
departments/deans, and the SPARC team. The role of the Pre-Award
Manager is critical in interpreting both agency and university
compliance requirements and policies/ best practices to the
departments; provides support to disseminate information on
proposal volume, budget development, and provides updates to cost
principles, changes to sponsor requirements, and other sponsored
programs regulatory information.
A key success factor for this role is being current with respect to
federal and state regulations (including but not limited to Uniform
Guidance, FARs and DFARs, and North Carolina state procurement
regulations), as well as the ability to train others on the
application of these regulations.
Note: This position is an in-person role on the UNCW main campus.
After a preliminary probation period, the individual may be
eligible for a hybrid work arrangement aligned with the University
policy.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:
- A master's degree and three years of relevant experience; OR for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity or professional-level background in sponsored research administration, a bachelor's degree and 5 or more years of sponsored research administration experience will be considered in lieu of a master's degree on an exceptional basis.
- At least 3 years of experience in a centralized research administration office experience.
Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience:
- Extensive knowledge of business administration and accounting best practices, including both budget and human resources management, is also preferred for this position.
- Management experience in an academic setting is preferred.
- Certifications associated with research administration, including, but not limited to Certified Research Administrator (CRA).
- Experience working in a fast-paced, changing environment while interacting with people at all levels of the organization in a diplomatic and professional manner.
- Ability to work in a team as well as individually, including experience with training staff and clients.
- Working knowledge of best practices in costing standards associated with sponsored activities.
- Ability to communicate effectively and clearly, both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to problem solve and exercise judgment to formulate decisions based on analysis and interpretation of policy and procedural guidelines to resolve potential issues. Exercise judgment, discretion, and initiative in the interpretation of a wide range of administrative policies and procedures.
- Highly organized and flexible while self-managing workload.
- Ability to comprehend and interpret complex state, federal, and sponsoring agencies' rules, regulations, policies, and laws regarding sponsored projects.
Required Certifications or Licensures:
N/A
FTE: 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week)
Months Per Year: 12 Months
Work Days:
Work Hours:
Type of Position: Permanent
Anticipated Ending Date if Time-Limited:
Position Number: 6023
Job Posting Date: 02/17/2026
Posting Close Date: 3/15/2026
Number of Openings: Single Incumbent
Special Notes to Applicants:
PLEASE NOTE: This posting will close at 11:59PM (Eastern time) on the posted closing date. To receive full consideration, please be sure you have fully completed the entire application, including the ‘Work History' section before you apply for this position. Applications must be submitted through the online application system to be considered.
Eligibility for Employment:
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington 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.
To apply, visit https://jobs.uncw.edu/postings/38616
UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents - except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs.
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