Senior Award Administrator

Position Title:

Senior Award Administrator

Job Group:

Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience

Job Description:

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

Do you thrive in a collaborative environment that allows you to build strong relationships throughout the organization?

If so, the Office of Sponsored Programs Administration (OSPA) at Iowa State University is currently seeking candidates for a Senior Award Administrator, which will be classified as a Research Administrator III!

What You'll Do:

• Independently review, analyze, develop, negotiate, and execute a wide variety of contracts and agreements under signature authority delegated by the Director of OSPA.

• Ensure compliance with ISU internal policies, sponsor guidelines, and federal regulations (2 CFR 200, FAR, DFAR).

• Serve as a resource to faculty, staff, and grant coordinators in the administration of such contracts, and agreements.

• Analyze requests for subrecipient agreements including risk assessment and subrecipient monitoring.

• Independently develop, negotiate, and execute subcontracts and subcontract amendments off ISU prime contracts/agreements under delegated signature authority.

• Communicate with faculty, staff, sponsors, and sub-recipients on the pre and post-award management of contracts, agreements, and subcontracts.

• Arrange and lead meetings to discuss award/subcontract terms and conditions as well as strategies for negotiating or developing contracts, agreements, and subcontracts.

• Ensure award and negotiation data are accurately entered into OSPA database systems to enable ISU’s administration to create accurate reports.

• Collaborate with Offices of University Counsel, Research Ethics, Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer, Sponsored Programs Accounting, Procurement Services, Information Technology, Risk Management and others to ensure award compliance with sponsor and ISU policies.

• Provide just-in-time guidance or materials for understanding and implementing sponsor-specific regulations and requirements.

The successful candidate has the ability to work on-site in Ames if they prefer.

This is a three year, fixed term position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree.

• Certified Research Administrator (CRA).

• Experience negotiating grants, contracts and cooperative agreements.

• Experience applying the concepts embodied in the Code of Federal regulations including 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance) and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).

• Experience that demonstrates knowledge of research administration software systems.

• Experience with budget review and post-award modifications.

• Experience creating and delivering training presentations and materials.

• General knowledge of research compliance requirements including human/animal subjects, conflict of interest, export controls and foreign influence.

Department Description:

The Office of Sponsored Programs Administration (OSPA) promotes and facilitates the research, education, and outreach missions of Iowa State University by supporting and administering research and sponsored programs. OSPA is the central point of coordination for research and sponsored programs and the University’s authorized representative for grants, contracts and other agreements from external sponsors. The goal of OSPA is to deliver high quality services in an efficient and professional manner in compliance with sponsor rules and regulations. For more information, please visit OSPA.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

Resume/Curriculum Vitae

Letter of Application/Cover Letter

Why Choose Iowa State University?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans

• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans

• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)

• Life insurance and long-term disability

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Various voluntary benefits and discounts

• Employee Assistance Program

• Wellbeing program

• Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected], or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Appointment Type:

Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:

July 5, 2029

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Full time

Pay Grade:

PS810

Original Posting Date:

May 22, 2026

Posting Close Date:

June 7, 2026

Job Requisition Number:

R19266

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email [email protected].

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.

Originally posted on Himalayas