Manager, Pre-Award Operations
About Western Kentucky University:
Western Kentucky University (WKU) is a student-centered, applied-research institution committed to providing its students with a transformative academic and social experience and to elevating its surrounding communities. Founded in 1906, WKU is the second largest undergraduate institution in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with approximately 15,035 students (29% first generation, 18% underrepresented minority) and just over 2,500 faculty and staff employees.
Western Kentucky University is committed to empowering its campus community to embrace diversity by building equitable and inclusive learning, working, and living environments. At the heart of our mission, we seek to provide holistic education and employment experiences that prepare students, faculty, and staff to become effective scholars, contributors, and leaders in our diverse and evolving communities.
Located 65 miles north of Nashville, TN, and just over 100 miles south of Louisville, KY, WKU's main campus is in Bowling Green, KY - a city with approximately 70,000 residents. Our population is ethnically diverse, with more than 85 languages spoken in and around Bowling Green, and people from 35 nationalities call our community home.
Western Kentucky University seeks to attract talented faculty and staff who are inspired individually to contribute to WKU's strategic plans and ongoing success. We offer comprehensive wellness and health benefits to employees and their families, including domestic partners and other qualified dependents and take pride in providing a workplace culture that supports balancing the responsibilities of work and family life. Paid-time off for holidays, vacation and sick leave, and a tuition discount program for employees and dependents are also provided. Learn more about WKU and Bowling Green at wku.edu/about.
Eligible for flexible work arrangement - remote and hybrid.
Job Description:
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are customary for this position, but are not to be construed as all-inclusive. Duties may be added, deleted and assigned based on management discretion and institutional needs.
Serves as the primary point of contact for pre-award activities in the Office of Sponsored Programs
Coordinates with, and trains, Grant Specialists to develop and/or review grant/contract budgets prior to submission
Reviews and facilitates the submission of grant/contract proposals to ensure compliance with university and sponsor policy, procedures, and guidelines
Communicates with partner institutions to compile and review subaward materials for collaborative proposals, particularly proposals with multiple stakeholders and funded partners
Liaises with the Office of Research Compliance and with Post-Award personnel to ensure efficient tracking of submitted proposals and awards
Manages pre-award OSP activities with college and unit level grant administrators and faculty
Maintains working knowledge of Federal and private electronic submission systems and manages university accounts for each, as appropriate
Develops standard sections, templates and online resources that support the proposal development and submission process, including records in the internal approval system
Remains current on, and proposes/suggests amendments to, research administration policies and procedures
Completes and/or compiles Just-In-Time materials requested for proposals in review
Coordinates the maintenance of Pre-award pages on the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) website
Performs tailored funding searches through PIVOT and other grant search engines
Maintains an appropriate level of professional development activity
Performs annual review and update of fringe benefit rates
Provides supervision, training, mentorship, and support to Grants Specialists position(s) on the pre-award team
Performs other duties as assigned by the Administrative head of the Office of Research and Creative Activity
Requirements:
Bachelor's degree
At least two years of demonstrated independent experience in facilitating submission of federal, state, and private grants
Ability to provide technical advice and information to faculty for external proposals
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Ability to serve as a leader within an established team
Additional Information:
Salary Range: $55,000 - $60,000
Kentucky state law requires all public institutions of postsecondary education to conduct pre-employment criminal background checks to determine suitability for employment.
Western Kentucky University (WKU) is committed to a policy and practice of providing equal employment and educational opportunities to all individuals. In accordance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Revised 1992, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, no form of discrimination or harassment will be tolerated at WKU on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, age, uniformed services, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, or physical or mental disability in admission to career and technical education programs and/or activities, or employment practices.
Persons with disabilities, who need reasonable accommodations to participate in the application and/or selection process, should notify the office of Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action/University ADA Services (EEO). To request an accommodation, report/express a complaint, or ask questions regarding WKU''s Discrimination and Harassment Policy (#0.2040), please contact Mr. Joshua Hayes, EEO Director/Title IX Investigator/University ADA Coordinator, via email at joshua.hayes@wku.edu or by phone at (270) 745-5121.
The University is also required to investigate complaints of sex and gender-based harassment, also a form of discrimination, and has designated the Title IX Coordinator as the individual responsible for coordinating the investigation and response to such complaints. The Title IX Coordinator for the University is Ms. Ena Demir, who can be contacted via email at ena.demir@wku.edu or by phone at (270) 745-6867. Additional information regarding Title IX is accessible via WKU's https://www.wku.edu/titleix/ website.
Information concerning educational programs offered by WKU are provided at: http://www.wku.edu/atwku/academics.php
Application Instructions:
The following items must be submitted through this electronic talent management system:
Cover Letter
Resume
You will receive email confirmation that your submission has been received. The candidate review process will generally begin as materials are received.