Job Details

University of Nevada, Reno

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.

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

Schedule or Travel Requirements

Occasional travel

Compensation Grade

Administrative Faculty D

To view the salary schedule for this position, please visit: Salary Schedules and select Administrative Faculty by Grade. Salary is competitive and commensurate with related education and experience.

Remarkable Retirement

Our retirement plan is beyond compare. Your 19.25% contribution is generously matched by the University. With the faculty retirement plan, you are 100% vested your first day. Sit back and watch your retirement dollars grow! All permanent employees on an annual "A" or "B" contract who are employed at least 50% full-time are eligible to participate in the NSHE retirement program unless they are members of PERS of Nevada.

Perks of Working at UNR

• Health insurance options including dental and vision

• Generous annual and sick leave and life insurance

• E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center offers an annual or semester membership and family membership options.

• Mountain EAP supports employees (and eligible dependents) through life's difficult moments.

• Faculty Senate is the principal representing body for faculty.

• No state income tax!

Grants-in-aid for Faculty Employees

The University is proud to provide a reduced-rate tuition benefit to faculty and qualified dependents. Faculty can take up to six credits per semester at a reduced rate. Dependents of faculty have unlimited credits, but in order to be eligible children must be unmarried and under the age of 24 and must receive at least 50% of their financial support from the employee and/or employee's spouse or domestic partner.

Faculty Dual Career Assistance Program

The University of Nevada, Reno recognizes the importance of addressing dual-career couples' professional needs. We offer a dual career assistance program to newly hired faculty spouses/partners that provides resources and assists them to identify career opportunities in Northern Nevada.

Contact Information

Search Coordinator, Irving Martinez at ...@unr.edu

This posting is open until filled. Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply immediately. Lists of eligible candidates will be established and hiring may occur early in the recruiting process. Recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of applications are received or a hiring decision has been made.