Programs Specialist

Division

Division: Academic Affairs

Department: Sponsored Research & Programs

Working Title: Sponsored Programs Specialist - 2588

Vacancy Type: Exempt Professional Staff (EPS)

Master's degree in a related field or Bachelor's degree and two years related experience. Strong proficiency in Word and Excel software programs. Self-starter who can work on several projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. Ability to effectively facilitate teamwork with faculty and staff and relate professionally with local, regional and federal agencies, institutions and partners.

FTE: 1
Salary Range:
Hiring Range: Commensurate with

Education and Experience
Position #: 2588
FLSA Status: Exempt
Months per Year: 12

Work Schedule Type: (information not provided)

The Office of Sponsored Research and Programs provides leadership, oversight, and support for externally funded research, scholarly activity, and institutional grant programs. OSRP facilitates the development, submission, negotiation, and management of grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements; ensures compliance with federal, state, and sponsor regulations; and supports faculty and staff in securing external funding that advances the research, service, and academic mission of the university.

The unit serves as the central coordinating office for pre‑award and post‑award administration and promotes collaborative partnerships that enhance the university’s capacity for research and sponsored program activity.

The Sponsored Projects Specialist (SPS) supports campus departments, sponsors, and subrecipients in the development and submission of extramurally funded proposals on behalf of UNCP. The position requires knowledge of grant proposal mechanisms, sponsor requirements, and submission processes in order to communicate regulations and provide administrative support for contracts and grants.

The work performed by the Sponsored Projects Specialist (SPS) requires an understanding of the types of proposals and grant mechanisms used by funding agencies; the processes for application submission; and the terms and conditions of each request for proposal. This knowledge is necessary in order to communicate rules, regulations, and procedures to faculty members, staff, and stakeholders, as well as to provide support in contracts and grants administration.

Duties include collaborating with and assisting faculty members, staff, and administrators; acting as a subject‑matter expert in research administration; conducting pre‑award review and application submissions to ensure compliance with policies, laws, regulations, and agency guidelines; developing and reviewing budgets for allowability and financial compliance with sponsor‑specific requirements; and facilitating the setup of incoming awards.

The SPS will assist faculty members, staff, and stakeholders with developing sponsored programs and research proposals while following University policies related to application submission. Work involves creating, integrating, applying, and sharing knowledge directly related to a professional field.

• Critical thinking and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal, customer service, and communication skills.
• Excellent editing and written communication skills.
• Ability to interpret, explain, and apply complicated rules, regulations, and policies.
• Ability to work with personnel from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to meet deadlines and handle stressful situations.
• Ability to learn quickly.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.

• Demonstrated in‑depth experience and expertise in delivering high‑quality customer service to a diverse group of colleagues within the organization, the campus research community, and sponsor entities, with a focus on understanding customer needs, negotiating mutually beneficial workflows, establishing service expectations, and delivering accurate…