Post Award Lead Specialist

About Us Are you ready to transform lives through academic excellence, innovative research, strong community partnerships and economic opportunity? Kennesaw State University is one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. With growing enrollment and global reach, we continue to expand our institutional influence and prominence beyond the state of Georgia. We offer more than 190 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to empower over 50,000 students to become thought leaders, lifelong learners, and informed global citizens. Our entrepreneurial spirit, high-impact research, and Division I athletics draw students from throughout the region and from more than 100 countries across the globe. Our university's vibrant culture, career opportunities, rich benefits, and values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability make us an employer of choice. We are part of the University System of Georgia . We are searching for talented people to join Kennesaw State University in our vision . Come Take Flight at KSU! Location Our Kennesaw campus is located at 1000 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144. Our Marietta campus is located at 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060. Job Summary Responsible for assigned staff and daily oversight of post award grant activities for sponsored programs portfolios. Creates financial reports, statements, and analyzes expenditures for compliance with budget, policies, and guidelines. Responsible for ensuring compliance based on KSU policy, sponsor guidelines, and state and federal regulations and identifying deviations as well as account management problems. Coordinates the correction and adjustment of entries through cost transfers. Reviews and approves entries and reconciles accounting information to the approved budget. Assists PI's with generalized or specialized post award support Builds and maintains partnering relationships with internal stakeholders and other operational departments while acting as a liaison with sponsors. Responsibilities KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Leads assigned staff within the department and/or programs 2. Manages and assists faculty in all phases award management, reporting and compliance through the lifecycle of the sponsored program 3. Advises on and contributes to applicable policies and procedures for grant related expenditures, procurement, human resources, travel, and compliance 4. Reviews and approves procurement, travel reimbursements and GRA hiring requests 5. Advise on allowable expenditures per award terms and conditions 6. Reconciles grants and monitors rate of expenditures 7. Provides timely budget reports and assists with rebudgets 8. Obtains prior approval from sponsor when necessary 9. Coordinates with faculty and Grants Accounting to submit sponsor required reporting 10. Responsible for effort reporting system management, effort reviews, and salary savings estimations 11. Interacts regularly with and provides high quality customer service to faculty members conducting sponsored research 12. Leads team and faculty training 13. Serves as primary intermediary with all pertinent sponsors, faculty, staff and campus entities 14. Ensures adherence to quality standards and all policies and award regulations Required Qualifications Educational Requirements Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education or equivalent combination of education and/or experience Required Experience Five (5) years of experience in the management and/or administration of externally sponsored activity within a university setting, a non-profit institutions or academic medical center Experience with applying and interpreting Unifomr Guidance 2 CFR 200, federal agency specific regulations, and non-federal sponsor guidelines Preferred Qualifications Additional Preferred Qualifications Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA) Preferred Educational Qualifications Advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education Preferred Experience Experience with a non-profit institutions or academic medical centers is acceptable Experience with Cayuse a plus Experience using electronic grants management systems Experience using project management software to organize workflow a plus Proposed Salary The midpoint of the salary range is $96,000. Offers are based on relevant experience. Comprehensive benefits to include Medical, Dental, Vision, 13 paid holidays, vacation, generous retirement plans, tuition waiver, wellness options, and much more! Visit hr.kennesaw.edu/benefits. Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities ABILITIES Able to work independently without guidance Able to devise, develop, collect, and analyze statistical information and reports Able to handle multiple tasks or projects at one time meeting assigned deadlines KNOWLEDGE Knowledge of federal grant proposal and award policies and regulations Knowledge and understanding of relevant policies and/procedures that govern major federal and non-federal sponsors Understanding of research administration roles and responsibilities for internal and external resources SKILLS Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem solving, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, project management and presentation skills Proficient with computer applications and programs associated with the position (i.e., Microsoft Office suite) Strong attention to detail and follow up skills Strong customer service skills and phone and e-mail etiquette USG Core Values The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at . Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at . Equal Employment Opportunity Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community. For additional information on this policy, or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy, students, employees, applicants for employment or admission or other third parties should contact the Office of Institutional Equity at English Building, Suite 225, . Other Information This is a supervisory position. This position has financial responsibilities. This position will not be required to drive. This role is considered a position of trust. This position requires a purchasing card (P-Card). This position may travel 1% - 24% of the time Background Check Credit Report Standard Enhanced Education Per the University System of Georgia background check policy, all final candidates will be required to consent to a criminal background investigation. Final candidates may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. Applicants for positions of trust with screening results which confirm a disqualifying criminal history will be immediately disqualified from employment eligibility. All applicants are required to include professional references as part of their application process. Some positions may require additional job-based screenings such as motor vehicle report, credit check, pre-employment drug screening and/or verification of academic credentials.

Created: 2026-03-10