Grants Pre-Award Specialist - Office of Research and Projects (ORP) (CS26-253)

Grants Pre-Award Specialist - Office of Research and Projects (ORP) (CS26-253)

Shape Ideas. Power Innovation. Support Impact.

Are you passionate about helping great ideas become funded, transformative projects?

Do you thrive at the intersection of collaboration, strategy, and innovation?

Join the Office of Research and Projects (ORP) at SIUE and play a vital role in advancing research, instruction, and public service initiatives that make a difference.

As a Grants Pre-Award Specialist - Office of Research and Projects (ORP) (CS26-253), you'll partner with faculty and staff across disciplines to turn vision into realityguiding them from concept to competitive proposal submission. You'll be part of a collaborative, mission-driven team that supports discovery, creativity, and community impact.

What You Will Do

• Empower Faculty & Staff Success Serve as a trusted advisor to faculty and staff by identifying external funding opportunities and guiding them through the proposal development process
• Build Winning Proposals Interpret funding announcements, develop and refine project budgets, and ensure proposals are competitive, compliant, and compelling
• Facilitate Collaboration Bring together interdisciplinary teams and support them in crafting high-quality, fundable projects
• Ensure Excellence & Compliance Review proposals for completeness and adherence to sponsor and university guidelines prior to submission
• Support Strategic Growth Contribute to increasing the number and quality of grant submissions and awards through reporting, outreach, and continuous improvement
• Engage & Educate Lead professional development sessions and outreach efforts to strengthen the campus research community
• Enhance Systems & Visibility Assist in maintaining databases, developing reports, and supporting the ORP website to improve access to resources and opportunities
• Contribute Your Expertise Apply and grow your skills in grant writing and proposal development while connecting researchers to meaningful funding opportunities.

What Makes You a Great Fit

• Thrives in a fast-paced, high-volume environment and can manage multiple priorities with confidence
• Takes initiative and exercises independent judgment and discretion
• Has a keen eye for detail and a commitment to accuracy and quality
• Communicates clearly and effectivelyboth in writing and verbally
• Enjoy working collaboratively while also being self-directed and proactive
• Is passionate about supporting research, innovation, and community impact

Why Join ORP at SIUE?

• Be part of a mission-driven team that supports meaningful research and innovation
• Work closely with faculty across diverse disciplines
• Grow your skills in grant development, strategy, and collaboration
• Contribute to projects that have real-world impact locally and beyond
• Join a supportive, collegial environment that values initiative, creativity, and excellence

Make Your Impact

If you're excited about helping ideas grow into funded projects that shape communities and advance knowledge, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and help power the next generation of research and innovation at SIUE!

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Minimum Acceptable Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, finance, economics or a field related to the position. Additional knowledge, education, training and/or sponsored project experience in the area of specialization inherent to the position may be required: Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in higher education or with externally funded projects.
• Certification as a Sponsored Research Administrator (CRA)
• Experience with budget creation and proficiency in Excel
• Experience with project management and deadline management
• Experience developing and delivering professional development or training related to grant development
• Knowledge of (or ability to quickly learn) federal, state, and sponsor regulations, policies, and compliance requirements
• High comfort level learning and navigating complex digital portals and database systems
• Experience developing and maintaining standard operating procedures and Other Support documents
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with complex tasks under tight timelines
• Experience building and sustaining collaborative relationships with stakeholders
• Strong technical skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and database systems, with the ability to quickly learn new technologies
• Experience using technology tracking systems (e.g., proposal tracking or research administration systems)

We strongly encourage all applicants to submit a Cover Letter when formally applying to this role.

Supplemental Information

Civil Service Information: Civil Service Application - FAQs Application Instructions: How to Apply - Step by Step (Download PDF reader)

Illinois Residency Requirement: Pursuant to the State Universities Civil Service System, out-of-state candidates must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days of the start date for this position.

Illinois residency requires proof of a valid Illinois Driver's License or state of Illinois ID Card. Failure to produce the required documentation within 180 calendar days is grounds for immediate separation.

Classification: State Universities Civil Service System Classification Number: 5040 SUCSS Classification Title. For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the State Universities Civil Service System website at:

Veterans: Veterans who qualify for preference must provide proof of eligibility within ten (10) working days of submitting an application. The required proof of eligibility includes, at a minimum, a copy of the veteran's DD214/DD215 form (Department of Defense), NGB22 form (National Guard), or Discharge Orders or DD256 Discharge Certificate (Reserves). For help in determining the appropriate proof of eligibility to submit, please refer to the Guide for Veteran Document Verification. (Download PDF reader)

Pre-Employment Screening: All external candidates who receive a job offer will be required to undergo pre-employment screening for this position. The screening process will encompass a criminal background check and, where applicable, other background checks such as a drug screen, verification of employment and education or licensure/certification, reference checks, and/or checks with relevant government registries. Please note that all job offers are contingent upon successful completion of the required screening process.

Work Authorization Information: SIUE will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States and visa sponsorship for this position will not be provided. International students at SIUE on F-1 or J-1 visas are not eligible for full-time or part-time civil service positions with permanent status.

Accommodation: If you are unable to utilize our online application system and need to request an accommodation, please reach out to us at View phone number on click.appcast.io or via email at: View email address on click.appcast.io

EEO Statement

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is an equal opportunity employer and thus prohibits discrimination against employees, applicants for employment and students on the basis of age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran's status.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville