The UT Institute of Agriculture is seeking an Associate Subaward Coordinator to support the administration of sponsored projects that advance research, Extension, teaching, and service across Tennessee and beyond. This position plays an important role in helping faculty and staff manage subaward agreements accurately, efficiently, and in compliance with sponsor, federal, state, and university requirements.
This is a strong opportunity for a detail-oriented professional who enjoys research administration, problem-solving, customer service, and working with a wide range of internal and external partners. The successful candidate will coordinate subaward agreements, support subrecipient monitoring, maintain accurate records, and provide guidance to principal investigators, departmental staff, and partner organizations.
The Associate Subaward Coordinator will coordinate the subaward process from request through execution, monitoring, modification, and closeout. Core responsibilities include:
- Coordinate the preparation, review, routing, issuance, modification, and closeout of incoming and outgoing subaward agreements.
- Review subaward requests for completeness, accuracy, allowability, and compliance with sponsor requirements and university policies.
- Collect required documentation and supporting materials for subaward actions.
- Track subaward status and move agreements and modifications through the process in a timely manner.
- Maintain complete and accurate records in university research administration systems.
- Submit Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act reports through SAM.gov as required.
- Review subrecipient compliance documentation, certifications, audit reports, and required assurances.
- Conduct and document subrecipient risk assessments in accordance with applicable federal regulations and university requirements.
- Identify and escalate compliance concerns and help coordinate appropriate follow-up with university offices.
- Communicate with principal investigators, departmental business staff, Sponsored Projects Accounting, central research administration offices, external subrecipient organizations, and sponsoring agencies.
- Provide guidance on subaward requirements, documentation, and administrative processes.
- Serve as a resource for complex or escalated subaward and agreement questions.
- Support onboarding, training, mentoring, and knowledge sharing for team members and administrative staff.
- Assist with process improvement efforts, reports, procedural guides, training materials, and other sponsored projects initiatives.
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for a professional who can manage detailed administrative and compliance work while providing clear, responsive service to campus and external partners. The ideal candidate will be able to organize work, meet deadlines, interpret requirements, and communicate effectively with individuals who have varying levels of experience with sponsored projects administration.
Successful candidates will bring:
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Sound judgment and discretion when working with sensitive information.
- Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and agreement terms.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to build effective working relationships with faculty, staff, central offices, and external partners.
- Interest in continuous improvement, training, and practical problem-solving.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and enterprise business systems.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree.
- An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may substitute for the degree where permitted.
- Three years of progressively responsible experience in sponsored projects administration, grants administration, research administration, contracts administration, compliance, finance, higher education administration, or a closely related field.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree.
- Five years of progressively responsible experience in sponsored projects administration, grants administration, research administration, contracts and subawards administration, compliance, finance, higher education administration, or a closely related field.
- Experience with subawards, subrecipient monitoring, risk assessment, or sponsored research agreements.
- Knowledge of Uniform Guidance, federal sponsor requirements, and university research administration processes.
- Experience with federal sponsors such as USDA, NIH, NSF, DOE, or similar agencies.
- Experience using research administration or financial systems such as Cayuse, Huron, DASH, or similar platforms.
- Ability to identify process improvement opportunities and support operational efficiencies.
- Ability to manage a high-volume workload in a complex research or higher education environment.
Work Location and Schedule
This position is located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The work arrangement may be onsite, hybrid, or remote as approved by the hiring department and based on business needs. Any approved remote or hybrid arrangement will include expectations for availability, communication, service delivery, and any required onsite presence.
Compensation and Benefits
UT market range: MR 11
Anticipated hiring range: $66,000 - $75,000
The University of Tennessee offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include health, dental, and vision insurance; retirement options; paid time off; tuition benefits; well-being resources; and other employee programs. More information is available through UT Human Resources and the UT System benefits resources.
Application Instructions
To apply, please submit an application with the following materials:
- Resume
- Cover letter
To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before August 21, 2026
Why Join UTIA Sponsored Projects?
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture serves the state through teaching, research, and outreach in agriculture, natural resources, veterinary medicine, family and consumer sciences, and related fields. UTIA Sponsored Projects supports faculty and staff as they pursue and manage externally funded activities from federal, state, private, and other sponsors.
In this role, you will contribute to work that supports discovery, innovation, and public service while helping ensure sponsored projects are administered responsibly and effectively. You will be part of a professional environment that values accuracy, service, collaboration, continuous improvement, and compliance.
About the UT Institute of Agriculture
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture provides teaching, research, and outreach that support agriculture, natural resources, families, communities, and the state of Tennessee. UTIA includes UT AgResearch, UT Extension, the Herbert College of Agriculture, and the College of Veterinary Medicine, with work that reaches communities across Tennessee and beyond.
UTIA Sponsored Projects supports the administration of sponsored activities and helps ensure effective, compliant management of sponsored project agreements and related research administration processes.
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
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