Senior Research Administrator

Sponsored Projects Services (SPS) at the University of Arizona is seeking experienced Senior Research Administrators (RAs) to provide high-level proposal support for investigators within the College of Science. This role is ideal for a seasoned pre-award professional who thrives in a complex research environment and values close partnership with faculty, sponsors, and central administrative offices.

As part of a centralized Proposal Support team Senior RAs, serve as a strategic hub between investigators and campus partners, including the Office of Research Contracts, and Agreements (ORCA), Financial Services, the University of Arizona Foundation, and institutional compliance units with a high degree of independence and conviction while also collaborating closely with peers and the SPS Pre-Award team to ensure accurate, compliant, and timely submissions.

In this role, the Senior RA directly supports faculty throughout the full proposal lifecycle-providing expert guidance on proposal development, sponsor requirements, budgets, subawards, and institutional policies-while delivering exceptional customer and proactive problem-solving. The position requires demonstrated, working knowledge of federal, private, nonprofit, and international sponsors, including application of Uniform Guidance and agency-specific policies.

The Proposal Support team is committed to continuous improvement and adherence to best practices in grants and contracts administration. Senior RAs are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, compliance, and fiduciary responsibility, while contributing to process refinement and knowledge-sharing across SPS.

Sponsored Projects Services (SPS), in partnership with the Office of Research Contracts and Agreements (ORCA), is part of the Office of Research& Partnerships (ORP). Together, these units support the University of Arizona research by delivering high-quality proposal, contracting, and financial services that promote responsible stewardship of sponsored funds and minimize institutional risk. Our work supports the University's strategic research goals across proposal development and submission, contract negotiation, post-award management, and administrative guidance.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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• Works directly with faculty
  members, research staff, program coordinators, college administrators,
  and other units on campus in the preparation of proposals.
• Responsible for building
  and maintaining collaborations with academic institutions and research
  consortia (internal and external), government agencies, industry
  partners, non-profits and foundations (including the UA Foundation),
  other research networks (including Arizona universities and subaward
  partners), institutional leadership, international collaborators, and
  legal and compliance networks (such as OGC, OROI, and Export Control) to
  ensure successful and compliant proposal submissions.
• Creates and presents
  training materials for research faculty and staff for preaward
  activities. This position will support the strategic plans for the
  department by working closely with the department leadership on their
  research missions and goals and by working directly with the business
  offices specific to those departments.
• Develops and submits large,
  complex proposals such as program projects, interdisciplinary research
  centers, multidisciplinary university research initiatives, etc.
• Assists faculty and
  departmental staff with preaward questions and issues of a more complex nature, and assists in the delivery
  of high-level support to faculty and departmental staff in regard to preaward and
  activities.

Knowledge,
Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to maintain a
  solution-oriented attitude while providing elevated customer service.
• Effective verbal/written
  communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to possess advanced critical
  thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritizes work and
  successfully manages multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to work well under pressure
  without sacrificing teamwork, accuracy, or customer service.
• Knowledge of university and
  sponsor policies and procedures, or demonstrated ability to
  learn and integrate policy and procedure as needed.
• Knowledge of Microsoft
  Office and Adobe applications and capabilities.
• Ability to accommodate and respond to shifting priorities and multiple, demanding projects.
• Ability to remain teachable and open
  to evolving in their learning.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

• Bachelor's
  degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of 8 years or relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.