Grants & Contracts Specialist - Baker School - UTK

The Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, stands as a distinguished institution dedicated to preparing students to become thoughtful and effective leaders in government, public service, and beyond. As the first and only public policy school of its kind in Tennessee, the Baker School offers interdisciplinary programs that seamlessly blend policy, politics, and practical, hands-on learning experiences. Rooted deeply in the legacy of Senator Howard H. Baker Jr., the school emphasizes real-world exposure through research opportunities, internships, and active engagement with key issues across local, national, and global landscapes. Students graduating from the Baker School emerge with strong academic foundations complemented by critical thinking skills, ethical leadership principles, and a steadfast commitment to public impact, equipping them to drive meaningful changes in communities worldwide.

This opportunity invites a seasoned professional to join the Baker School as a specialized research administration expert. Working closely with the Budget Director, Associate Dean of Research, principal investigators, and various central campus offices—including the Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development (ORIED), the Division of Research Administration (DRA), the UT Research Foundation, and the Contracts Office—this position plays a vital role as the primary liaison between the Baker School and both campus and external research administration partners. The successful candidate will independently analyze complex compliance and financial issues, consult with unit leadership and faculty on research administration strategy, and proactively identify potential funding opportunities. By doing so, the individual will ensure that the school’s research leaders are strategically positioned to pursue grants that align with the Baker School’s mission and the Institute for Advanced Composites (IAC).

Key responsibilities encompass comprehensive sponsored project administration, extending from pre-award to post-award functions. In the pre-award phase, this includes leading proposal development efforts from opportunity analysis and budget planning through to final submission using the Cayuse system, reviewing proposals for regulatory and policy compliance, providing assistance with budget narratives and justifications, and ensuring personnel documentation accuracy. After awards are granted, the focus shifts to efficient grant management, including collaborating with principal investigators to develop hiring and spending plans consistent with approved budgets, monitoring projects to ensure adherence to budgetary constraints and compliance requirements, performing monthly ledger reconciliations, and implementing required corrective actions.

The role also demands strong skills in research portfolio analysis and strategic reporting. The incumbent leverages university reporting tools such as DASH to interpret financial and award performance data, produce recurring and specialized reports, provide financial forecasts related to indirect cost recovery (F&A) and research funding, and contribute insightful analyses that support institutional discussions around research planning and proposal strategies. The position requires maintaining robust communication with several campus units to resolve complex issues, interpret policies, and coordinate strategic initiatives.

Additionally, this position oversees contracts coordination and compliance. This entails reviewing proposed contracts for regulatory and business compliance, drafting and reviewing agreements, coordinating contract execution through the UTK Contracts Office, assessing service necessity and procurement guidelines adherence, advising on contracting approaches based on policy requirements, overseeing the unit’s contracts and sponsored projects inbox, resolving complex inquiries, ensuring satisfactory service delivery before payment processing, and enforcing contract compliance and financial obligations throughout the contract lifecycle.

The ideal candidate holds a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, with a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in sponsored research administration or a related discipline, demonstrating independent interpretation and application of federal regulations. Superior knowledge of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), Federal Acquisition Regulations, and agency-specific compliance requirements is essential, along with proven expertise in pre-award and post-award administration, financial modeling, and training development. Excellent communication skills and the ability to manage multiple awards and deadlines within a complex regulatory environment are required. Preferred qualifications include a master’s degree, experience in research-intensive academic settings, familiarity with UT research systems such as DASH and Cayuse, and certification or pursuit of Certified Research Administrator (CRA) credentials.

Located on the University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus, this full-time, onsite role offers a competitive salary within the UT Market Range MR13 and comprehensive benefits. Applicants are encouraged to submit a cover letter and resume to be considered for this unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to an esteemed academic institution committed to public policy excellence and impactful research.