Pre-Award Manager

Division Name: Academic Affairs
Department: Research & Sponsored Programs
Campus Location: Normal IL

Job Summary

The Pre-Award Manager works with faculty/staff to secure critical funding for the university through the daily development and submission of grant proposals and budgets in a deadline-driven fast-paced environment. Proposed projects vary widely and learning is constant. The Pre-Award Manager supports direct day-to-day Pre-Award service within Research and Sponsored Programs (RSP). This position serves as a contact for pre-award inquiries as well as grant proposal development preparation and submission. As such the position communicates and coordinates with a diverse population of faculty staff and external constituents in developing and submitting responses to grant opportunities across a range of fields/disciplines. The position provides review and guidance to investigators in the development of their budgets statements of work and other required proposal documents by posted deadlines.

The Pre-Award Manager learns to interpret sponsor guidelines and potential issues consults with investigators and ensures that all pre-award requirements are completed in a timely manner for external funding opportunities.

Additional Information

RSP supports and facilitates faculty staff and the campus community in their successful pursuit of external funding to support research instructional creative and public service efforts. This support includes technical assistance oversight and assurance of institutional compliance.

University Benefit Highlights:
- Insurance benefits including health dental vision and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time

For more University Benefit information: regarding eligibility for participation in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program can be reviewed here Rate / Pay Rate

$50000 - $60000 annual combined with an excellent benefits package

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelors or equivalent degree in business administration accounting finance economics public administration project management or a field related to the position.(degree must be conferred prior to start date)
2. At least one (1) year of grant-related experience in higher education education non-profit or government setting.
3. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (reading writing listening and speaking).
4. Detail orientated highly organized and driven team player.
5. Ability to:
   a. manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously accurately and quickly.
   b. keep attention to detail simultaneously with attention to the larger component parts.
   c. work in a deadline-driven environment.
   d. make independent ethical knowledge-based decisions and act with integrity.
   e. produce accurate and timely work products when working under pressure.
   f. maintain confidentiality and exercise appropriate discretion with information.
6. Commitment to ongoing professional development.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Masters degree
2. Skills in proposal development to include development of budget/budget justification consideration of compliance issues and demonstrated knowledge of 2 CFR 200
3. Work experience in research and/or sponsored programs in higher education

Work Hours

Core Hours: 8:00am-4:30pm Monday through Friday

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:

1. Remain at workstation and use computer for extended periods.
2. Effectively communicate on a daily basis.
3. Distinguish colors on a monitor.
4. Move about in various locations across campus as needed to complete day-to-day work.

Proposed Starting Date

September 2025

Required Applicant Documents

Resume
Cover Letter

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on Apply

Optional Applicant Documents

Transcripts - See Special Instructions to Applicants for additional options
Certification of Retirement Annuity

Please Note: These documents may be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on Apply

Special Instructions for Applicants

Applicants for this position must be authorized to work in the U.S. without ISU sponsorship. Sponsorship for work authorization will not be considered for this position.

Please fully complete the entire application including but not limited to the education and work history portions. Be specific on your work history including employment dates (if part-time you must list the number of work hours) and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position; however it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience. Please do not put see resume in the duties and responsibilities section of the work history. This will be considered an incomplete application and incomplete applications will not be considered.

College or university transcripts (may be unofficial) must be submitted prior to the application deadline to receive full consideration. Transcripts can either be uploaded with your application or submitted via the options listed below.

To be eligible for Veterans Preference points on the exam appropriate military service documentation such as a DD-214 must be submitted prior to the application deadline.

Transcripts and/or military service documentation may be emailed faxed or mailed to Human Resources by the application deadline:

Email:
Fax: 309.438.0011 Attn: Kira Shelton
Address: Illinois State University
Human Resources
Campus Box 1300
Normal IL 61790-1300

The Civil Service examination for this classification is based on your application materials and responses to the supplemental questions. No participation other than submission of applicant materials is required from applicants that qualify to take the exam. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position you will receive a score calculated based on your education and experience and your name will be placed on the active employment register by exam score. After the application deadline the names within the top three scores will be referred to the department for interview. The active register for this classification will be voided when the position is filled.

Illinois State University is authorized to do business within the State of Illinois. All work under this appointment is required to be performed from within the State of Illinois. If hired out-of-state candidates must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days from the start date for this position. Illinois residency requires proof of a valid Illinois drivers license or a valid State of Illinois ID card. Failure to produce the required documentation within 180 calendar days will result in immediate termination of employment.

Contact Information for Applicants

Kira Shelton
Human Resources

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable an employment history review based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin disability or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at . The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system please call Human Resources at .