Associate Director, Pre-Award and Contracts at InsideHigherEd

The University of Nevada, Reno, invites applications for the position of Associate Director for Pre-Awards and Contracts. This role provides strategic leadership and oversight for pre-award and contract administration supporting sponsored research, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations. The Associate Director will manage the review and processing of awards and sub-awards, lead contract negotiations, oversee award setup, and serve as a legal resource for complex or high-risk agreements. In addition to serving as an escalation point for compliance and risk-related issues, this position acts as the Authorized Organizational Representative with signature authority. The Associate Director will supervise the Pre-Award Manager and the Grants and Contracts Manager, offer mentorship, training, and performance evaluations, and report directly to the Executive Director of Sponsored Projects.

The Associate Director will oversee the full lifecycle of proposal and award administration, including negotiation of complex award terms, sub-award and contract agreement development, and coordination with the Office of General Counsel where litigation or regulatory exposure arises. The role also includes policy development, ensuring internal processes support proposal compliance and effectiveness while collaborating with central units to facilitate smooth transitions from pre- to post-award management. The Associate Director will manage staff performance, professional development, and recruitment. They will also ensure data integrity and reporting in research administration systems, monitoring dashboards and supporting institutional analysis associated with sponsored programs.

Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree and six (6) years of related professional experience; OR
Master’s Degree and four (4) years of related professional experience
Related Experience: Research administration, contract negotiation and budgetary experience or related research activities, including at least one year in a supervisory role.

Certification and Licensure
Juris Doctor degree – Strongly preferred
Certified Research Administrator – Preferred

Please attach the following documents to your application:
1) Resume/CV
2) Cover Letter
3) Contact Information for Three Professional References
4) Please write a brief statement (one page maximum) about how you would contribute toward our mission of creating a culturally inclusive environment in the role for which you
are applying.

All applications should be submitted through the following link: https://nshe.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UNR-external/job/University-of-Nevada-Reno---Main-Campus/Associate-Director--Pre-Award-and-Contracts_R0148792