Career Center

The Sponsored Programs Officer (SPO) functions in a high-level professional capacity to facilitate research and sponsored activity across the university while constantly striving to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of research administration services and to minimize institutional financial and reputational risk. The SPO provides the final institutional review of grant and contract proposals before submission to ensure responsiveness to sponsor requirements, the appropriate application of costing principles, the ethical conduct of project activities, and compliance with government and sponsor regulations and UNC System and ECU policies regarding sponsored activity. Specific job responsibilities are:

The SPO will manage an assigned sponsored projects portfolio and will carry out the following duties during the pre-award submission phase: (A) collaborate with Hub administrators and other unit administrators, associate deans for research, center/institute directors, and external points of contact to ensure investigators preparing proposals are fully supported, consult with university personnel to address issues that may interfere with proposal submission, and professionally balance the criticality of institutional processes with firm proposal submission deadlines; (B) provide the final institutional review of funding proposals submitted by Hub administrators and non-Hub supported faculty for compliance with sponsor and university requirements; (C ) use a variety of electronic systems to submit proposals to sponsors on behalf of the institution under delegated authority from the Chancellor and the Director of Pre-Award Services; and (D) ensure comprehensive and accurate official university records of proposal submissions in the Electronic Research Administration (eRA) system to ensure quality data for operational and strategic planning and assessment purposes.

During the post-submission and award phases, the SPO will carry out the following duties: (A) conduct, facilitate, manage, and document official communication with external funding entities to monitor and, as needed, to assist Hub and other administrators in coordinating revisions to the budget, aims, work plan, project dates, and deliverables associated with sponsored projects; (B) review awards for conformity with ECU, UNC, state and federal policies, and identify, articulate and resolve relevant issues in award/agreement review on a timely basis through contact and follow-up with university administrators, faculty, sponsors or third parties as appropriate; (C ) as needed, create, review and negotiate outgoing subawards agreements and amendments; (D) ensure comprehensive and accurate official university records of award receipts in the eRA system to ensure quality data for operational and strategic planning and assessment purposes; and (E) assist and advise Hub and other administrators, non-Hub supported faculty, and project teams in the non-financial aspects of award management.

The SPO will provide expert guidance, training and mentoring to Hub and other unit administrators and non-Hub supported faculty regarding fundamental approaches to successful grantsmanship and policies and procedures related to crafting, constructing, and submitting high-quality grant proposals and contract bids; in interpreting sponsor application requirements and preparing proposals and budgets (including addressing compensation/time allocation issues, cost-sharing, choice and application of F&A rate); and in utilizing sponsor form sets, electronic proposal submission systems, and sponsor grant management systems. The SPO will maintain/share knowledge of award management practices with these constituents to inform effective project design and development and assist them as necessary in negotiating internal approval procedures for proposal submission. Further, the SPO will develop and recommend solutions to problems that confront ORA, Hub and other administrators, investigators, and project teams. They will identify personnel with knowledge, responsibility, and authority (e.g. university leadership, administrative services, institutional risk management, university attorneys, and compliance offices), translate and interpret challenges as they relate to sponsored projects, and link such personnel with Hub and other administrators, investigators, and project teams for problem resolution. Finally, the SPO will provide training and support to Hub administrators and faculty regarding eRA system navigation and use.

The SPO participates effectively in reviewing, developing and/or updating institutional policy and procedures to ensure application of best practices in pursuing and managing sponsored projects and in complying with federal and state requirements. This includes efforts to develop and disseminate information, documentation, and tools including, but not limited to, SOPs, FAQs, and flowcharts.

SPECIAL NOTICE TO APPLICANTS: This position may be eligible for Flexible Work Arrangements (FWA) under the ECU FWA Policy.

Contingent upon available funding.

East Carolina University requires applicants to submit a candidate profile online in order to be considered for the position. Candidates must also submit a cover letter, resume, and a list of three references, including contact information, online.

2-3 original letters of reference are required for employment. Please be aware that if selected as a candidate of choice, an automatic e-mail will be sent to the individuals entered by the applicant in the References section in the PeopleAdmin applicant tracking system. Letters of reference submitted via the PeopleAdmin applicant tracking system will be verified and considered towards meeting this requirement.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required; for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity or professional-level background in sponsored research administration, will accept a relevant undergraduate degree and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution.

Progressively responsible professional level experience in a university, academic medical center, or non-profit research institute in a pre-award or combined pre- and post-award environment; or related experience in a governmental or non-profit setting; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

The Office of Research, Economic Development and Engagement (REDE) is responsible for research policy and integrity, research administration and sponsored project contract negotiations across ECU and leads economic and community engagement initiatives including partnerships with public sector agencies, industry, military, and other organizations in pursuit of scholarly activities, economic development, and community engagement. The Office directs new intellectual enterprises, including technology transfer. REDE is responsible for the following units under its umbrella: Office of Engaged Research, Office of Continuing and Professional Education, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Office of Human Subjects Protections, Office of Licensing and Commercialization, Office of National Security and Industry Initiatives, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, Office of Regional Development, Office of Research Administration, Office of Research Development, Office of Research Integrity and Compliance, Office of Undergraduate Research, and the Small Business and Technology Development Center.

The Office of Research Administration (ORA) provides centralized pre- and post-award services related to sponsored projects. The proposal services unit within ORA provides direct assistance to college-level research administrators and indirect assistance to faculty, staff, and students in applying for external funding to support research, instructional activities, and service programs that address the mission of the institution. ORA Sponsored Programs Officers (SPOs) advise campus research administrators and individuals from all disciplines in relationship development with sponsors and assure institutional submission of compliant, effective, fundable proposals with viable budgets. SPOs exercise the authority of the Chancellor, under delegation to REDE, to approve and submit all proposals to external sponsors.