Senior Proposal Coordinator, UTIA Office of Sponsored Programs

The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture seeks a full-time Senior Proposal Coordinator to provide technical support and assistance to faculty and staff in the preparation of applications for external funding. OSP strives to provide the highest quality of support to faculty staff and research administrators by facilitating proposal preparation and submission; reviewing negotiating and accepting contracts; and managing addition OSP ensures compliance with federal and state laws and UT policies to clarify submission procedures and processing of awards for external sponsored program funds and to ensure a uniform administrative process.

OSP is committed to the professional development of its team and supports and encourages attendance to NCURA SRA and other member organizations pertinent to the research administration field.

The anticipated salary range for a Senior Proposal Coordinator is $66796.74 to $80000.

THIS POSITION CAN BE FULLY REMOTE IN-PERSON OR HYBRID.

The position entails providing technical support and assistance to faculty members in furtherance of the Institutes research education and extension missions. Key duties involve analyzing requests for applications (RFAs) from funding agencies offering expert guidance on proposal preparation and initiating Cayuse proposals across diverse funding opportunities. The position will collaborate closely with faculty and business managers to develop project budgets that align with the statement of work. The position will work closely with the project team members to prepare required support documents such as conflict of interest biosketch and current and pending documents in accordance with sponsor guidelines. Additionally the role entails coordinating and meticulously reviewing proposal packages for financial and administrative compliance including large multi-year multi-investigator proposals. Position will be responsible for establishing internal completion milestones to ensure timely and compliant submissions. The position will also deliver support and training to Institute stakeholders on budgetary and procedural matters pertinent to sponsored programs.

The position will provide proposal review and approval for junior staff members in the absence of the Assistant Director of Proposals and/or during heavy deadlines and will serve as a mentor and resource for junior staff members.

Required Qualifications

• Education:
  • Bachelors degree
• Experience:
  • 6 years relevant to research administration/sponsored programs with a Bachelors degree or
  • 4 years relevant to research administration/sponsored programs with a Masters degree.
  • Graduate work or Graduate Assistantship experience may be considered toward required experience.
• Knowledge Skills Abilities:
  • Skilled with Microsoft Office tools in particular Excel
  • Able to manage competing priorities and meet time-sensitive deadlines
  • Proficient professional writing skills for drafting correspondence
  • Demonstrate critical analysis abilities adeptness in relating information to specific circumstances and exercise judgment in the application of both University policies and federal regulations
  • Possess excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work individually and in a team environment under stressful and time-sensitive conditions
  • Ability to prioritize
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding proposals budgets personnel salaries and issues

Preferred Qualifications

• Education:
  • Masters degree
• Experience:
  • Certified Research Administrator preferred
• Knowledge Skills Abilities:
  • Working knowledge of Federal funding requirements under Uniform Guidance 2 CFR Part 200
  • Working knowledge of University sponsored programs and fiscal policies and procedures
  • Skilled in interpreting and explaining federal regulations related to externally funded sponsored programs and knowledgeable of the requirements of state federal private and nonprofit funding agencies
  • Proficient in using sponsor specific submission systems with the ability to train others ( ezFedGrants eRA Commons etc.)
  • Working knowledge of Cayuse or Huron research administration systems

Work Location:

• Knoxville Tennessee fully remote available

Compensation and Benefits:

• UT market range:MR13
• Anticipated hiring range:$66796.74 - $80000
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structurehere
• Find more information on UT Benefitshere

Application Instructions:

For best consideration applicants should submit the materials below before 11/17/2025.

• Please apply online with a cover letter resume and complete contact information of three professional references.

About The College/Department/Division:

The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is dedicated to delivering the highest quality of support to faculty staff and research administrators by facilitating proposal preparation and submission; reviewing negotiating and accepting contracts; and managing awards. Additionally OSP ensures compliance with federal and state regulations as well as university policies.

OSP is committed to the ongoing professional development of its team and actively supports attendance at organizations such as NCURA SRAI and other research administration associations.