Pre-Award & System Support Specialist, Office of Sponsored Programs - Administrative Services

Working Title: Pre-Award & System Support Specialist, Office of Sponsored Programs - Administrative Services

State Role Title: Financial Services Specialist I

Position Type: Full-time Staff (Classified)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt: Eligible for Overtime

 

College/Division: Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) - Financial Administration

Department: 539001 - Sponsored Programs Accounting

 

Pay Band: 4

Pay Rate: Maximum Starting

Specify Range or Amount: $55,000 

 

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? Yes. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon continued funding.

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? N/A

 

Beginning Review Date: 6/10/2026

 

About JMU:

At James Madison University (JMU), we’re more than just a publicly funded institution — we’re a vibrant, welcoming community located on a stunning campus where innovation, collaboration, and personal growth thrive. Our mission is to prepare students for a bright future, and we believe that starts with supporting the people who make it all possible: our employees.

Why Work at JMU?
We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your professional journey and personal wellbeing:
• Generous Leave: Enjoy paid vacation, sick leave, parental leave, community service leave, and 19 paid holidays annually.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access high-quality health insurance options that fit your needs.
• Retirement Options: Plan for your future with retirement benefits through the Virginia Retirement System.
• Employee Well-Being: Our Balanced Dukes program promotes wellness and work-life integration through resources, events, and support.
• Tuition Waiver Program: Advance your education with our tuition waiver program for undergraduate and graduate courses taken at JMU.

At JMU, we believe in Being the Change — and that starts with creating an environment where you can grow, contribute meaningfully, and feel supported every step of the way.

Discover what makes JMU a great place to work: bit.ly/JMUEmployment

 

General Information:

With a customer service focus, this position will be the primary contact in the Office of Sponsored Programs-Administrative Services for answering questions and providing guidance on the university sponsored programs application process while maintaining a high level of compliance with university, federal, state regulations. Additionally, this position will provide regular support and maintenance on Cayuse and related systems, while keeping training materials updated. This position will provide manage OSP-AS data, including preparing reports for university leadership. In all activities, this position will maintain a high level of customer satisfaction acknowledging that faculty rarely embrace compliance or administrative issues.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Award Set-Up/Cross-Over Support Services, including:
- Maintaining data integrity regarding pending proposals
- Reviewing and entering award and denial data into eRA systems
- Reviewing award documents and notifying PIs and other stakeholders of relevant terms and conditions to promote a culture of compliance
- Reviewing award documentation against proposals to identify any variances, including engaging with sponsors as necessary to resolve identified issues
- Working with PIs, grants specialists, and other stakeholders to resolve variances, particularly in the proposed and awarded budgets.
- Review award budgets to proactively identify any unallowable costs.
- In collaboration with OSP-AS leadership, working with sub awardees as relevant when changes of scope and/or budgets are needed for award processing.
- Working with OSP-FA to ensure smooth completion of award set-up
- Working with new and outgoing faculty to ensure smooth award transfer

Post-Award Prior Approvals and Non-Financial Reporting, including:
- Serve as a liaison between principal investigators, administrative staff, and sponsors to gather required documentation and clarify approval requirements; this particularly includes coordinating with OSP-FA to ensure accurate revised budgets are produced.
- Review a