Director, Pre-Award & Award Management for Sponsored ...

OverviewDepartment: Office Sponsored ResearchSalary/Grade: EXS/12Northwestern University Sponsored Research seeks a Director of Pre-Award and Award Management (P&AM). The role reports to the Assistant Vice President, Sponsored Research and provides leadership, compliance, and management for the Sponsored Research Proposals & Award Management unit across multiple campuses. The Director oversees review, approval, submission of compliant proposals for external funding, and post-award administration. The incumbent also leads and mentors two Assistant Directors and supports the Office for Research mission and values.Job Summary: As a professional staff member of Northwestern University Sponsored Research, the Director supports the institution’s research infrastructure across Chicago, Evanston, and Doha, with responsibilities for oversight, compliance, and management of pre-award and award activities.Specific ResponsibilitiesSponsored Research Operations – Proposals and Award Management: Directs and manages proposal review, approval, submission, and post-award administration; ensures compliance with university policy and federal regulatory/audit requirements; mitigates risk in proposals, awards, contracts, and other sponsored research agreements.Sponsored Projects and Agreements: Oversees development, review, acceptance, and execution of sponsored projects and research agreements funded by industry, foundations, governments, and other entities; manages post-award administration (extensions, transfers, funding, personnel changes) and coordinates systems to track and manage sponsored research in a timely and compliant manner.Training activities: Participates in curriculum development and delivery of sponsored research administration training; leads service excellence and continuous improvement initiatives; collaborates with AVP-SR and University leadership to strengthen the pliance: Ensures compliance and fiscal integrity of proposals and awards; provides guidance on complex award terms, drafts compliant solutions, and reviews/approves proposals and award documents; safeguards university interests regarding IP, publications, export controls, liability, and effort reporting.Outreach and Strategy: Maintains knowledge of changes in the sponsored research landscape; represents the office in university forums and external associations; serves as subject-matter expert for training and guidance on proposal management and award administration; leads process-improvement initiatives and manages system enhancements for reporting and efficiency.Talent Development and Management: Supervises and develops the Proposal & Award Management Assistant Directors; oversees recruitment, training, performance management, and staff development; collaborates with SR leadership to ensure policy compliance and professional development.Miscellaneous: Performs other duties as assigned.Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor's degree.Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in leadership and administration of sponsored research.Advanced knowledge of proposal management, award acceptance, subawards, post-award financial administration, and related federal guidelines and compliance.Experience in direct management, training, and development of professional staff.Experience creating, reviewing, and implementing policies and procedures.Experience with enterprise research administration systems and integration of best practices for efficient workflow.Ability to analyze data to improve workflow and customer service; strong decision-making and analytical thinking.Proven ability to lead continuous improvement and change through individuals and teams.Salary and Benefits: Target hiring range is $125,500–$145,000 per year. Salary determined by education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and internal equity. Benefits include health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts, and more. For details, visit Northwestern HR benefits pages linked in the original posting.Work-Life and Professional Growth: Northwestern offers flexible work arrangements where possible, childcare and senior/adult care support, and professional development resources. Details are available on the Northwestern HR pages linked in the original posting.Equal Opportunity: Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on protected characteristics. Requests for accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. Additional information on accommodations is available from Northwestern. #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-09-23