Research Administration Manager - College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences - UTK
University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department
The Research Administration Manager provides comprehensive PreAward research administration support for faculty, center directors, and the College. In Proposal Management, the role identifies funding opportunities, assists faculty with interpreting sponsor guidelines, creates templates/checklists from agency rules, plans and coordinates tasks and timelines for proposal submission, develops accurate budgets aligned with sponsor requirements and University accounting codes/fiscal policy, initiates correspondence with grant personnel and external agencies, and performs other research administration duties as assigned by the Associate Dean for Research (ADR) and Senior Research Administration Manager.
In Research/Award Management, the Admin trains designated departmental support personnel and interested faculty on electronic submission, reporting, and financial/compliance systems; ensures intellectual property provisions are submitted to UTRF for review; queries research data for monthly accolades and College reporting; coordinates with the Office of Research, Innovation and Economic Development to keep faculty/staff informed of UT and sponsor policies; and monitors and evaluates research activities for research and fiscal compliance across pre-award stages.
Under Oversight & Administrative Management, the position serves as a front-line service and office support specialist in a deadline-driven, customer service environment; reviews and approves proposal submissions in the College’s internal routing system; assists the Senior Research Administration Manager with establishing additional support services and trainings to grow CEHHS scholarship; manages all research workshop registrations; and serves as backup to the Senior Research Administration Manager.
For Marketing & Data Management, the Admin assists with designing and coordinating office marketing materials, evaluates and disseminates funding opportunity announcements to appropriate target groups, creates and maintains distribution lists for efficient information dissemination, and inputs/evaluates monthly, quarterly, and annual research-related data to measure progress toward Office and College strategic goals and reporting needs.
The role also includes reading and interpreting agency guidelines into usable proposal requirements, recommending appropriate fund allocations, coordinating necessary steps to complete grant submissions within specified timeframes, and initiating required correspondence with departments and University officials. This role acts as a compliance steward—ensuring adherence to university, state, federal, and sponsor policies—and provides operational support to expand the College’s external funding capacity.
This position will support the PreAward administration and the strategic efforts of the Office of Research and External Funding led by the Senior Research Administration Manager. The position will provide a central infrastructure to support external funding for faculty and centers. The position is on a team that supports PreAward operations of approximately 172 TT and NTT faculty and service center directors and staff.
Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Experience: 3-5 years with grants and contracts in a University setting
-
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Ability to interpret and disseminate complex information and excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
Strong administrative, financial, administrative, and customer service skills
Knowledge of university, state, and federal policies and procedures related to external funding
Knowledge of and ability to interpret specific sponsors' and funders' policies and procedures related to proposal preparation and grant management
Ability to maintain a strong customer service environment and remain calm and patient
Must have extensive communication, organizational, and analytical skills as well as demonstrated ability to conduct effective training sessions in a large group or individually
Familiarity with pre-award practices/policy including ledgers, budget posting and reconciliation, fiscal and HR policy and how they apply to sponsored project compliance in a higher education environment
Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, Adobe Professional, Cayuse, Oracle or other cloud-based ERP system, all web interfaces, and Windows and MAC operating systems
Preferred Qualifications
Education: Master’s Degree and/or CRA or SPA Certification; Communications & Customer Relations Certification
Experience: Knowledge of the types of grants and contracts processed for the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Knowledge of research administration and development of best practices in higher education
Work Location
-
Location: Remote
Compensation and Benefits
- UT market range: MR11
- Anticipated hiring range:
- Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
- Find more information on UT Benefits here
Application Instructions
To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before January 9th, 2026.
- Resume
- Cover Letter
-
List of 3 Professional References
Additional Information on all postings provided by UTK
Manages PreAward activities for an assigned portfolio of grants using knowledge of grant management rules and regulations, technical expertise, and analytical skills.
Ensures effective and efficient workflow and adherence to quality standards for faculty, staff, and oneself.
Ensure all applications meet agency and university guidelines and published timelines and deadlines.
Assist the PI in the development of budget(s) and budget justifications which includes proofing the budget for inconsistencies and ensuring accuracy.
Advises the PI on administrative requirements in preparing proposal submissions and on budget adjustments and revisions necessary to meet the sponsor requirements.
Works effectively with other offices (post award, central, school, departments, centers, divisions) on research proposal.
Contributes operational and strategic growth to the office by contributing information and ideas related to areas of responsibility as part of a cross functional team.
Coordinates with OREF Senior Research Administration Manager regarding pre-award activities, issue resolution and workload distribution.
Ensures proposal are entered and routed in a timely manner for further review, meeting internal and central office deadlines.
Facilitates with PI and PreAward support at collaborating institutions to secure necessary subaward documents for proposals.