Senior Award Coordinator, Office of Sponsored Programs UTIA

The Senior Award Coordinator plays a critical role in the UT Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) Office of Sponsored Programs by independently managing a complex portfolio of sponsored awards and nonfinancial agreements from acceptance through ongoing administration. As a subjectmatter expert in sponsored programs this position ensures alignment with federal state sponsor and university requirements while applying advanced judgment and strong analytical skills to navigate highrisk highdollar and multiyear awards. The role also serves the broader UTIA community by providing clear guidance mentoring junior staff and partnering with faculty and campus stakeholders to keep research moving forward.

Award Acceptance Setup and Management (approximately 75%)

• Independently manage a complex portfolio of sponsored awards including highdollar multiyear multiproject and/or highrisk awards.
• Interpret apply and ensure compliance with sponsor terms and conditions U.S. regulations Tennessee law and University of Tennessee policies.
• Review analyze negotiate (as applicable) and process federal private and foundation awards and agreements.
• Negotiate and administer nonfinancial agreements such as material transfer agreements and confidentiality agreements.
• Analyze complex budget discrepancies between proposal and award and coordinate revisions with faculty and business managers.
• Process and maintain award documentation in Cayuse and/or Huron and submit final budgets to Sponsored Programs Accounting for DASH posting.
• Coordinate and process award changes including budget revisions and nocost extensions.
• Serve as an escalation point for moderate to complex award and compliance issues and direct investigators to appropriate compliance offices (IRB IACUC Export Control Biosafety).
• Provide frequent guidance and troubleshooting support to UTIA faculty staff and external sponsors.

Mentoring Guidance and Training (approximately 20%)

• Serve as a mentor and technical resource for Award Coordinators and other administrative staff.
• Assist with onboarding and training of new team members and share best practices and institutional knowledge.
• Provide backup award review and approval during peak workload periods or staff absences.
• Identify training needs and provide performancerelated feedback to leadership.
• Collaborate with leadership on special projects including procedure development and sponsor terms review.

Continuing Education and Service (approximately 5%)

• Participate in development and delivery of training materials and workshops.
• Stay current on federal regulations sponsor requirements and university policies.
• Attend and may present at professional development training through organizations such as NCURA or SRAI.
• Participate in UTIA outreach and representation activities as needed.

Required Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelors degree.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Experience:

• Five (5) years of experience in research administration or sponsored programs with a bachelors degree including experience negotiating complex financial and nonfinancial awards and agreements; or
• Three (3) years of experience relevant to research administration/sponsored programs with a masters degree.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Comprehensive knowledge of federal funding requirements including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200).
• Demonstrated ability to independently interpret and apply complex sponsor and university policies.
• Strong organizational analytical and problemsolving skills.
• Skill in MS Office applications and Adobe Acrobat.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and provide highquality customer service in a fastpaced environment.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-basedvisa status.

Preferred Qualifications:

Education:

• Masters degree.
• Professional certification such as Certified Research Administrator (CRA CPRA or CFRA).

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of UT fiscal policies and UT grant management systems (Cayuse and/or Huron).
• Familiarity with nonfinancial agreement terms related to intellectual property data sharing publication rights and compliance.
• Experience collaborating with legal counsel compliance offices and intellectual property offices.
• Experience negotiating agreements with federal foundation and industry sponsors.
• Experience working in a central research administration or sponsored programs office.

Work Location:

• Knoxville TN

• Remote In accordance with University policy and requirements

Compensation and Benefits:

• UT market range:MR13

• Anticipated hiring range:$68000 - $75000

• Find more information on the UT Market Range structurehere

• Find more information on UT Benefitshere

Application Instructions:

To be considered please submit your application with the required attachments listed below. For full consideration completed applications (including all requested materials) should be received by April 30 2026.

• Resume

• Cover Letter

About The College/Department/Division:

Learn more about the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) and its mission areas: Experience:

Senior IC