Senior Research Administration Specialist

UNC-Chapel Hill • Chapel Hill, NC

5d

About The Position

The Senior Research Administration Specialist is an advanced-level research administration professional who leads complex pre-award activities and uses project management principles to support faculty and research teams across assigned units. The role serves as a subject matter expert in proposal development, sponsor guidelines, and research administration processes, with a focus on strategically planning, coordinating, and executing sponsored research proposals.

The specialist independently manages a portfolio of highly complex proposals and works closely with principal investigators, departmental leadership, and central offices to support timely, compliant, and competitive submissions. Project management duties include coordinating timelines, tracking deliverables, facilitating stakeholder communication, and supporting multi-investigator and multi-institutional proposals.

The position also provides guidance, training, mentoring, and problem-solving support to research administration staff. Though it is not a formal supervisory role, it serves as a team lead by promoting best practices, streamlining processes, and supporting continuous improvement. Limited post-award work, approximately 10% of the role, includes award setup support, interpretation of award terms, and advice on financial and administrative compliance.

The role may be eligible for a hybrid arrangement that includes a partially remote work location, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

Requirements

• Advanced knowledge of pre-award research administration, including proposal development, budgeting, and sponsor compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and private sponsor guidelines.
• Experience developing complex proposal budgets, including personnel forecasting, cost-sharing, and multi-year projections.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, tracking deadlines, deliverables, and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience coordinating multi-investigator and/or multi-institutional proposals.
• Ability to develop and implement project plans, timelines, and tracking tools.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to compile and edit proposal materials.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate discussions and resolve issues across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Experience providing guidance, training, or mentorship to peers or junior staff.
• Ability to serve as a resource for best practices and problem-solving within research administration.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.
• Experience with research administration systems such as RAMSeS, Cayuse, PeopleSoft, or Infoporte, or similar platforms.
• Familiarity with project management tools and tracking systems.
• High level of organization and accuracy, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Ability to work independently with a high degree of autonomy.

Nice To Haves

• Five or more years of experience in research administration, particularly in pre-award.
• Experience with complex, multi-site, or interdisciplinary proposals.
• Experience applying project management methodologies in an academic or research setting.
• Professional certification such as CRA, CPRA, or PMP.
• Experience leading process improvements or developing standard operating procedures.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex pre-award research administration activities, including proposal development, budgeting, and sponsor compliance.
• Independently manage a portfolio of highly complex proposals and coordinate timely, compliant, and competitive submissions.
• Collaborate with principal investigators, departmental leadership, central offices, and external partners.
• Coordinate timelines, track deliverables, facilitate communication, and support multi-investigator and multi-institutional proposals.
• Develop and implement project plans, timelines, and tracking tools.
• Compile and edit proposal materials and facilitate discussions to resolve issues across stakeholder groups.
• Provide guidance, training, mentorship, and problem-solving support to research administration staff.
• Promote best practices, streamline processes, and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide limited post-award support, including award setup, interpretation of award terms, and advice on financial and administrative compliance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed