Associate Award Coordinator, UTIA Office of Sponsored Programs

The UTIA Office of Sponsored Programs provides proposal and contracting services to ten academic departments, two Extension departments, 95 county Extension offices, three regional Extension offices, ten Research and Education Centers, and several mission-related UTIA centers statewide. The UTIA office interacts with over three hundred different external agencies in its grant, contract, and cooperative agreement activities. This position has responsibility for non-monetary agreements and awards and complex financial awards, to include negotiation and posting award actions in Cayuse and Huron (the University's official award systems). The position also coordinates and processes award changes. The responsibilities of this position are critical to OSP operations.

Award Acceptance, Setup and Management:

• Reviews, processes and maintains monetary award documents in Cayuse and/or Huron. Requires ability to analyze award information and complete the award module in Cayuse and/or Huron.
• Assesses award upon receipt and assigns to the appropriate OSP award staff.
• Negotiates and administers non-financial agreements such as material transfer agreements and confidentiality agreements. Requires extensive knowledge of Tennessee law, UT fiscal policy, federal regulation, and intellectual property basics.
• Assists Assistant Director of Contracts in more complex award review and negotiation, as needed
• Analyzes complex budget differences between proposal and award and coordinates with faculty and business managers to make appropriate revisions. Submits final budget to Sponsored Programs Accounting for posting in DASH. Requires ability to individually interpret and apply agency and internal fiscal policies.
• Interprets and applies UT fiscal policies in contracts accurately, with minimal assistance.
• Intakes, facilitates, and/or processes budget revisions for funded awards in coordination with SPA, Business Managers, PIs, and Director.
• Analyzes, reviews, and negotiates (if applicable) private sponsor awards and submits for signature by signatory official(s)
• Analyzes and reviews unilateral and bilateral federal awards and submits for signature by signatory official(s).

Continuing Education & Service:

• Participates in development of training materials for internal and external workshops, seminars and learning sessions conducted by OSP.
• Identifies business needs and participates in the implementation of improvements to OSP's processes and procedures.
• Remains up to date on government regulations, external agency requirements , and university policies & procedures.
• Attend, and may present at, training sessions and workshops conducted by nationally recognized professional organizations such as the National Council of University Research Administrators or the Society of Research Administrators International, and at staff meetings, and other UT led training.
• Participates in UTIA outreach events representing OSP.
• Resolves moderate to complex issues that arise as a result of a proposal, contract, award, account or commitment.**
• Recognizes the need for compliance and directs Investigators to compliance officers. Requires extensive understanding of basic requirements of IRB, IACUC, Export Control and Bio-Safety.
• Oversees external workflow of award documents with sponsors.
• Frequently provides guidance to and troubleshooting for UTIA faculty, staff, and external personnel related to OSP procedures/policies.

Required Qualifications:

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree
• Experience:
  • 3 years relevant to research administration/sponsored programs with a Bachelor's degree, or
  • 2 years relevant to research administration/sponsored programs with a Master's degree.
  • Graduate work or Graduate Assistantship experience may be considered toward required experience.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Comprehensive knowledge of Federal funding requirements under Uniform Guidance 2 CFR Part 200
  • Possess strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
  • Skilled with Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat
  • Demonstrated ability to learn and apply basic federal guidelines
  • Demonstrated ability to provide excellent customer service in a hectic and high volume environment
  • Demonstrated ability to work well with those of various backgrounds and education
  • Demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality in maintenance of university records, contracts, agreements, etc.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Education:
  • Master’s degree
• Experience:
  • Certified Research Administrator (CRA, CPRA, or CFRA) preferred
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Knowledge of University fiscal policies
  • Working knowledge of UT's DASH enterprise software system
  • Working knowledge of UT's Cayuse and/or Huron grants management information system
  • Ability to acquire necessary operational and business acumen to serve in a central research administration office
  • Working knowledge of UT Policies and Procedures specifically those associated with externally funded sponsored programs/projects

Work Location:

• Knoxville, Tennessee – fully remote available

Compensation and Benefits:

• UT market range: MR11
• Anticipated hiring range: $57,500 to $62,500
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions:

For best consideration applicants should submit the below materials before 10/1/25

• Please apply online with a cover letter, resume, and complete contact information of three professional references.

About The College/Department/Division:

The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is dedicated to delivering the highest quality of support to faculty, staff, and research administrators by facilitating proposal preparation and submission; reviewing, negotiating, and accepting contracts; and managing awards. Additionally, OSP ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, as well as university policies.

OSP is committed to the ongoing professional development of its team and actively supports attendance at organizations such as NCURA, SRAI, and other research administration associations.