Program Associate Jobs in Mississippi (NOW HIRING)

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Job Requisition ID:R00048601Job Category:ResearchOrganization:OAVCR-ORSP - PreAwardLocation/s:Main Campus JacksonJob Title:Associate Director_ Office of Research & Sponsored Program and Pre-AwardJob Summary:Assists the Director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs Pre-Award in the planning, development, implementation, and administration of programs and services related to the pre-award administration of grants, contracts, and other sponsored programs. Promotes ethical conduct and compliance with applicable federal, state, and institutional principles, rules, regulations, and policies; assists in the development and implementation of short- and long-term strategic plans; collaborates effectively with institutional officials, sponsors, regulatory agencies, investigators, research staff, UMMC and external administrative offices, and other constituencies; and helps lead, manage, and develop office staff.Education & Experience

Education and Experience Required:

Bachelor's degree and four (4) years of experience in sponsored program administration or research administration including one (1) year of supervisory experience.

Certifications, Licenses, or Registration Required:

N/A

Preferred Qualifications:

Certified Research Administrator or Certified Pre-Award Research Administrator from the Research Administrators Certification Council.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of research administration and uniform guidance principles, policies, best practices; ability to implement and train others. Interpersonal and negotiation skills. Verbal and written communication skills. Ability to understand and address the challenges of grants administration within the framework of larger institutional goals. Demonstrated advanced proficiency in spreadsheet management, email communication, internet research, and word processing software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Workspace applications; Proven experience in coordinating workshops, seminars, and special events. Proven ability to effectively influence multiple stakeholders and produce tangible results.

Responsibilities

• Assists with the day-to-day management of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) Pre-Award in conjunction with the Director.
• Manages staff involved in the pre-award administration of grants, contracts, and other sponsored programs.
• Provides direct assistance to faculty in the development of research proposals and agreements, and conducts complete and final fiscal and administrative reviews for compliance with state and federal regulations and institutional policies.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for investigators, sponsors, and UMMC service offices (Post-Award, Legal, Compliance, Finance, etc.) to resolve complex legal and financial issues related to research proposals, reporting requirements, and awards.
• Educates and trains faculty, staff, and students in pre-award activities, including funding opportunity searches, proposal submissions, contract negotiations, and grant budgeting.
• Collaborates with investigators to define project objectives and establish parameters, budgets, deliverables, and deadlines.
• Coordinates the development of policies and procedures to meet sponsored program project requirements; ensures compliance with sponsor guidelines, federal regulations, cost accounting standards, and institutional policies for research involving human participants, animals, biohazards, radioactive materials, and hospital and physician services.
• Develops sponsored program project plans and cost projections and revises them as appropriate; identifies and allocates resources and prioritizes tasks to ensure research mission objectives are met.
• Aligns sponsored program project activities with organizational objectives and strategy; ensures project outcomes contribute to organizational success.
• Interacts with relevant internal and external stakeholders to resolve issues, maintain progress, and foster collaborative relationships that reduce risk and ensure the success of sponsored program projects.
• Interprets and provides advice and guidance to faculty and staff on sponsored program funding policies, regulations, and procedures from project inception through closeout.
• The duties listed are general in nature and are examples of the duties and responsibilities performed and are not meant to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Management retains the right to add or change duties at any time.

Physical and Environmental Demands
Requires occasional working hours significantly beyond regularly scheduled hours, occasional travelling to offsite locations, frequent activities subject to significant volume changes of a seasonal/clinical nature, frequent work produced subject to precise measures of quantity and quality, occasional bending, occasional lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds, occasional crouching/stooping, occasional kneeling, frequent pushing/pulling, frequent reaching, constant sitting, occasional standing, occasional twisting, and occasional walking. (occasional-up to 20%, frequent-from 21% to 50%, constant-51% or more)

Time Type:Full timeFLSA Designation/Job Exempt:YesPay Class:SalaryFTE %:100Work Shift:DayBenefits Eligibility:Grant Funded:NoJob Posting Date:05/18/2026Job Closing Date (open until filled if no date specified):