The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff “for fit” makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission.

At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.

Here is what we offer:

Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match
Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture

Join Howard University and thrive with us!

https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness

JOB PURPOSE:

The Research Administrator manages the review and submission of sponsored research proposals, ensuring compliance with federal regulations, sponsor guidelines, and institutional policies. This role supports principal investigators (PIs), college research administrators, and departments by coordinating administrative, budgetary, and regulatory requirements through Cayuse and other electronic systems. Reporting to the Senior Director of Pre-Award, the Research Administrator is responsible for timely, accurate proposal submissions, risk mitigation, and maintaining compliant, audit-ready documentation. The position also serves as a liaison between faculty, departmental staff, and central offices, contributing to the University’s research growth and compliance infrastructure.

SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY:

May provide guidance and informal mentorship to junior team members but does not have direct supervisory responsibility.

NATURE AND SCOPE:

The Research Administrator is a central office position within the Sponsored Programs Office (SPO) – Pre-Award, responsible for overseeing the timely, accurate, and compliant submission of sponsored research proposals on behalf of the University. This role supports principal investigators (PIs) and departmental units by reviewing and coordinating all administrative, budgetary, and regulatory components of proposals routed through the central system.

The Research Administrator is expected to proactively identify missing information, seek out needed documentation, and escalate concerns early to ensure sponsor deadlines are met — particularly in schools or departments that lack dedicated administrative support. Operating with a high degree of independence, the RA serves as the institutional compliance checkpoint and submission lead, ensuring adherence to federal, sponsor, and university policies through efficient Cayuse workflows and professional engagement with stakeholders.

This position plays a critical role in supporting Howard’s R1 designation and research growth goals by minimizing submission-related risk, maintaining audit-ready documentation, and contributing to ongoing improvements in policy, system implementation, and mentorship of junior team members.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Manage Institutional Proposal Submissions
Oversee the end-to-end administrative and compliance review of proposals submitted through Cayuse, ensuring that all required internal approvals, documentation, and certifications are secured prior to submission. This includes validation and confirmation that all applicable prior approvals (e.g., cost share, foreign collaborations, PI exceptions) have been obtained in accordance with institutional policies and sponsor requirements.
Ensure Timely Submission to External Sponsors
Monitor sponsor deadlines and proactively coordinate with faculty, departmental staff, and internal stakeholders to resolve issues and obtain missing information in advance of submission.
Interpret and Apply Sponsor Requirements
Analyze and interpret sponsor-specific guidelines (e.g., NIH, NSF, DoD) to confirm proposal components meet all administrative and budgetary requirements.
Serve as SPO Liaison for Assigned Portfolio
Act as the primary SPO contact for a designated portfolio of departments and schools. Build relationships with researchers and administrators to foster trust and ensure alignment with institutional processes.
Support Schools Lacking Administrative Infrastructure
Identify and close gaps in proposal support for units without sufficient administrative capacity. Use initiative and institutional knowledge to ensure proposals from these areas are still submitted accurately and on time.
Promote Audit-Ready Documentation and Compliance
Maintain complete and accurate records of all proposal submissions in accordance with 2 CFR 200, Uniform Guidance, and institutional SOPs. This include ensuring documentation of required approvals, exceptions, and compliance certifications are stored in accordance with audit standards and sponsor expectations.
Lead Cayuse Routing and Troubleshooting
Accurately route proposals through Cayuse and address technical issues or user errors as needed. Provide feedback during system refinement and testing phases, contributing to a smooth system transition and long-term efficiency.
Mentor and Support Team Members
Informally guide and support junior staff in understanding policies, sponsor expectations, and proposal review practices. Share knowledge, templates, and lessons learned to strengthen team capacity.
Engage in Process Improvement and Policy Development
Participate in the development, refinement, and rollout of internal SOPs, training materials, and sponsor-specific resources. Provide feedback on policy and workflow gaps that impede timely and compliant submissions.
Maintain High Standards of Professional Communication
Communicate clearly and consistently with faculty, department staff, and internal colleagues. Represent the SPO Pre-Award team with professionalism, discretion, and institutional awareness.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

Compliance Expertise

Demonstrated knowledge of federal regulations governing sponsored research, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), sponsor-specific requirements (e.g., NIH GPS, NSF PAPPG), and institutional policies related to proposal review, submission, and certification.

Technical Proficiency

Proficient in using electronic research administration systems (e.g., Cayuse, Grants.gov, eRA Commons, Research.gov) and capable of navigating submission systems to ensure timely and accurate proposal routing.

Analytical Thinking and Judgment

Ability to interpret complex sponsor guidelines, identify gaps or risks in submissions, and exercise sound judgment in determining when to seek clarification or escalate.

Attention to Detail and Documentation Accuracy

Consistently produces error-free work; ensures internal approvals, attachments, and certifications are documented and properly uploaded to institutional systems in accordance with audit and sponsor standards.

Proactive Communication and Escalation

Communicates effectively and in a timely manner with faculty, administrators, and team members. Recognizes when to escalate issues that could impact compliance or submission timelines and does so with clarity and professionalism.

Time and Workflow Management

Effectively manages competing priorities and multiple deadlines while maintaining accuracy and responsiveness. Anticipates roadblocks and adapts quickly in a deadline-driven environment.

Customer Service Orientation

Demonstrates a responsive, solutions-oriented mindset when working with faculty and staff; remains composed under pressure and provides guidance that is both technically sound and accessible to non-experts.

Team Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

Contributes to a collaborative team environment by sharing best practices, supporting cross-training efforts, and mentoring junior colleagues. Participates actively in team meetings and process improvement discussions.

Adaptability and Continuous Learning

Embraces new systems, changing policies, and evolving sponsor expectations. Actively engages in professional development and supports innovation in pre-award practices.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Bachelor’s degree required.

Experience: A minimum of 4–5 years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, with a demonstrated track record of independently managing proposal submissions to federal sponsors (e.g., NIH, NSF, DoD, USAID, or equivalent).

Systems and Regulatory Knowledge: Proficiency in using electronic research administration systems, such as Cayuse, Grants.gov, eRA Commons, and Research.gov. Strong understanding of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and sponsor-specific proposal requirements.

Analytical and Compliance Skills: Demonstrated ability to interpret sponsor guidelines, identify compliance issues, and manage complex or multi-component submissions with minimal supervision.

Communication and Escalation: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to engage with faculty, staff, and sponsors in a professional, responsive, and proactive manner.

Compliance Salary Range Disclosure

Expected Pay Range: $80,909 - $89,000