Howard University Visa Sponsorship Jobs USA
Howard University is a historically Black research university in Washington, D.C., known for its mission-driven academic environment and diverse faculty. It sponsors H-1B visa and Green Card visas across research, academic, and professional roles, making it a consistent option for international candidates in higher education.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff “for fit” makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission. At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.
Here Is What We Offer
Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match
Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
* Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture
Join Howard University and thrive with us!
JOB PURPOSE
The Senior Director of Pre-Award (Outgoing Team) leads the university’s pre-award research administration function, ensuring efficient, compliant, and service-oriented proposal development and submission. The role is responsible for managing all outgoing proposals, outgoing subawards, and consultant agreements, providing direct support to faculty and research administrators while maintaining consistent quality, compliance, and operational standards across the outgoing pre-award lifecycle. As a key leader in the Sponsored Programs Office (SPO), this position provides supervisory oversight of pre-award staff, works closely with institutional leadership, and aligns pre-award services with federal, sponsor, and institutional requirements.
SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY
Directly supervises Pre-Award Research Administrators and administrative support staff, including setting priorities, managing workloads, and ensuring consistent application of standards across the team.
Provides oversight of outgoing proposals, subawards, and consultant agreements within the Sponsored Programs Office.
Provides training, mentorship, and professional development to pre-award staff to ensure continuous improvement in research administration, including coaching on performance expectations and process adherence.
Oversees faculty engagement and training efforts, ensuring faculty and research administrators receive guidance on proposal development and compliance.
* Collaborates with the Senior Director of Pre-Award – Incoming team to establish best practices and ensure seamless pre-award operations.
NATURE AND SCOPE
Reports directly to the Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Sponsored Programs and works in close collaboration with the Senior Director of Pre-Award (Incoming team) to align pre-award strategy with the university’s research mission.
Serves as the primary point of contact for faculty and research centers on proposal development and submission.
Leads the university’s outgoing proposal and outgoing subaward administration, ensuring that all submissions meet sponsor, federal, and institutional requirements.
Engages with Post-Award teams, Research Compliance, and Legal to support seamless research administration processes.
* Cross-Coverage Clause: While the Senior Director of the Outgoing team primarily oversees outgoing proposals and subawards, they are expected to cross-train and collaborate with the Senior Director of the Incoming team to ensure seamless research administration operations. In the absence of the Senior Director of the Incoming team, the Senior Director of the Outgoing team may assume temporary oversight of incoming awards and agreements to maintain compliance, efficiency, and sponsor relations.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
* Leadership & Operations Management
* Manages all outgoing proposals, subawards, and consultant agreements, ensuring timely and compliant submission and execution to federal, corporate, and foundation sponsors.
* Implements workflow improvements and efficiency strategies to strengthen proposal development, intake quality, and routing discipline.
* Establishes and enforces best practices and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for proposal development, submission, and outgoing agreement processing.
* Monitors aging actions and escalates items at risk of deadline or compliance exposure, maintaining visibility into workload distribution and backlog status.
* Serves as a liaison between faculty, research centers, and sponsors, ensuring successful proposal submission.
- Proposal Development & Compliance
- Provides technical assistance and strategic guidance for complex and high-value research proposals.
- Reviews and ensures all outgoing proposals adhere to sponsor guidelines and university policies.
- Oversees outgoing subaward and consultant agreements and compliance, including but not limited to pre-award subrecipient monitoring, required documentation, and risk assessments.
-
Maintains up-to-date knowledge of federal research regulations, including 2 CFR 200 and FAR/DFARS.
-
Faculty & Stakeholder Engagement
- Develops and leads training programs for faculty, research administrators, and pre-award staff on proposal development, budgeting, and compliance.
- Supports outreach initiatives to increase faculty participation in externally funded research.
-
Provides consultation and guidance to Principal Investigators (PIs) on proposal requirements and submission processes.
-
Data-Driven Decision Making & Performance Monitoring
- Tracks proposal volume, success rates, sponsor trends, turnaround times, and backlog aging, using data to drive strategic and operational improvements.
- Implements research analytics tools to measure performance and optimize pre-award workflows.
-
Provides regular reports to the AVP of Sponsored Programs on proposal activity, funding trends, operational efficiency, and documentation quality.
-
Strategic Process Leadership
- Leads process design, policy implementation, and operational strengthening across the outgoing pre-award function.
- Engages in strategic discussions with the AVP and Senior Director (Incoming team) on research administration improvements and institutional priorities.
- Identifies and addresses systemic workflow gaps, documentation risks, and handoff failures to ensure audit-ready operations.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Leadership & Team Management: Ability to supervise, train, and develop pre-award staff; set priorities; redistribute work during absences; and maintain team stability in a high-volume environment.
Expertise in Federal Funding & Compliance: Deep knowledge of NIH, NSF, DoD, and foundation grants, including federal compliance regulations.
Proposal Development & Strategy: Strong understanding of sponsor priorities, funding trends, and proposal submission requirements.
Operational Process Design: Ability to build, document, and enforce repeatable workflows and SOPs that support consistent, compliant operations.
Data Analytics & Process Improvement: Ability to track, analyze, and optimize pre-award workflows and research funding success rates.
Stakeholder Engagement & Communication: Skilled in collaborating with faculty, administrators, legal, compliance, and external sponsors to facilitate research success.
* Contract & Agreement Oversight: Ability to review and sign standard proposals, subawards, and consultant agreements, with the judgment to escalate complex cases appropriately.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s degree is required. Extensive experience in grant and contract administration is essential and will carry more weight than advanced credentials.
8+ years of experience in research administration, with at least 5 years in leadership roles, preferably within a central research administration office.
Leadership experience is crucial, particularly in guiding and stabilizing a team dedicated to contract and agreement administration.
Exceptional organizational skills are a must, with the capacity to handle multiple concurrent projects and shifting priorities.
Comprehensive knowledge of the entire lifecycle of research award administration, from the proposal phase to the award set-up.
Experience with outgoing subaward and consultant agreement administration, including subrecipient monitoring and risk documentation.
Must possess a deep understanding of federal contract requirements.
Comprehensive grasp of federal research compliance regulations, including 2 CFR 200 and FAR/DFARS.
* Proficiency with enterprise research administration systems (e.g., Cayuse, Workday, or similar platforms).
Hybrid flexible preferred
COMPLIANCE SALARY RANGE DISCLOSURE
Expected Pay Range: $145,454 - $160,000
INTRODUCTION
The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff “for fit” makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission. At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.
Here Is What We Offer
Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match
Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
* Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture
Join Howard University and thrive with us!
JOB PURPOSE
The Senior Director of Pre-Award (Outgoing Team) leads the university’s pre-award research administration function, ensuring efficient, compliant, and service-oriented proposal development and submission. The role is responsible for managing all outgoing proposals, outgoing subawards, and consultant agreements, providing direct support to faculty and research administrators while maintaining consistent quality, compliance, and operational standards across the outgoing pre-award lifecycle. As a key leader in the Sponsored Programs Office (SPO), this position provides supervisory oversight of pre-award staff, works closely with institutional leadership, and aligns pre-award services with federal, sponsor, and institutional requirements.
SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY
Directly supervises Pre-Award Research Administrators and administrative support staff, including setting priorities, managing workloads, and ensuring consistent application of standards across the team.
Provides oversight of outgoing proposals, subawards, and consultant agreements within the Sponsored Programs Office.
Provides training, mentorship, and professional development to pre-award staff to ensure continuous improvement in research administration, including coaching on performance expectations and process adherence.
Oversees faculty engagement and training efforts, ensuring faculty and research administrators receive guidance on proposal development and compliance.
* Collaborates with the Senior Director of Pre-Award – Incoming team to establish best practices and ensure seamless pre-award operations.
NATURE AND SCOPE
Reports directly to the Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Sponsored Programs and works in close collaboration with the Senior Director of Pre-Award (Incoming team) to align pre-award strategy with the university’s research mission.
Serves as the primary point of contact for faculty and research centers on proposal development and submission.
Leads the university’s outgoing proposal and outgoing subaward administration, ensuring that all submissions meet sponsor, federal, and institutional requirements.
Engages with Post-Award teams, Research Compliance, and Legal to support seamless research administration processes.
* Cross-Coverage Clause: While the Senior Director of the Outgoing team primarily oversees outgoing proposals and subawards, they are expected to cross-train and collaborate with the Senior Director of the Incoming team to ensure seamless research administration operations. In the absence of the Senior Director of the Incoming team, the Senior Director of the Outgoing team may assume temporary oversight of incoming awards and agreements to maintain compliance, efficiency, and sponsor relations.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
* Leadership & Operations Management
* Manages all outgoing proposals, subawards, and consultant agreements, ensuring timely and compliant submission and execution to federal, corporate, and foundation sponsors.
* Implements workflow improvements and efficiency strategies to strengthen proposal development, intake quality, and routing discipline.
* Establishes and enforces best practices and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for proposal development, submission, and outgoing agreement processing.
* Monitors aging actions and escalates items at risk of deadline or compliance exposure, maintaining visibility into workload distribution and backlog status.
* Serves as a liaison between faculty, research centers, and sponsors, ensuring successful proposal submission.
- Proposal Development & Compliance
- Provides technical assistance and strategic guidance for complex and high-value research proposals.
- Reviews and ensures all outgoing proposals adhere to sponsor guidelines and university policies.
- Oversees outgoing subaward and consultant agreements and compliance, including but not limited to pre-award subrecipient monitoring, required documentation, and risk assessments.
-
Maintains up-to-date knowledge of federal research regulations, including 2 CFR 200 and FAR/DFARS.
-
Faculty & Stakeholder Engagement
- Develops and leads training programs for faculty, research administrators, and pre-award staff on proposal development, budgeting, and compliance.
- Supports outreach initiatives to increase faculty participation in externally funded research.
-
Provides consultation and guidance to Principal Investigators (PIs) on proposal requirements and submission processes.
-
Data-Driven Decision Making & Performance Monitoring
- Tracks proposal volume, success rates, sponsor trends, turnaround times, and backlog aging, using data to drive strategic and operational improvements.
- Implements research analytics tools to measure performance and optimize pre-award workflows.
-
Provides regular reports to the AVP of Sponsored Programs on proposal activity, funding trends, operational efficiency, and documentation quality.
-
Strategic Process Leadership
- Leads process design, policy implementation, and operational strengthening across the outgoing pre-award function.
- Engages in strategic discussions with the AVP and Senior Director (Incoming team) on research administration improvements and institutional priorities.
- Identifies and addresses systemic workflow gaps, documentation risks, and handoff failures to ensure audit-ready operations.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Leadership & Team Management: Ability to supervise, train, and develop pre-award staff; set priorities; redistribute work during absences; and maintain team stability in a high-volume environment.
Expertise in Federal Funding & Compliance: Deep knowledge of NIH, NSF, DoD, and foundation grants, including federal compliance regulations.
Proposal Development & Strategy: Strong understanding of sponsor priorities, funding trends, and proposal submission requirements.
Operational Process Design: Ability to build, document, and enforce repeatable workflows and SOPs that support consistent, compliant operations.
Data Analytics & Process Improvement: Ability to track, analyze, and optimize pre-award workflows and research funding success rates.
Stakeholder Engagement & Communication: Skilled in collaborating with faculty, administrators, legal, compliance, and external sponsors to facilitate research success.
* Contract & Agreement Oversight: Ability to review and sign standard proposals, subawards, and consultant agreements, with the judgment to escalate complex cases appropriately.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s degree is required. Extensive experience in grant and contract administration is essential and will carry more weight than advanced credentials.
8+ years of experience in research administration, with at least 5 years in leadership roles, preferably within a central research administration office.
Leadership experience is crucial, particularly in guiding and stabilizing a team dedicated to contract and agreement administration.
Exceptional organizational skills are a must, with the capacity to handle multiple concurrent projects and shifting priorities.
Comprehensive knowledge of the entire lifecycle of research award administration, from the proposal phase to the award set-up.
Experience with outgoing subaward and consultant agreement administration, including subrecipient monitoring and risk documentation.
Must possess a deep understanding of federal contract requirements.
Comprehensive grasp of federal research compliance regulations, including 2 CFR 200 and FAR/DFARS.
* Proficiency with enterprise research administration systems (e.g., Cayuse, Workday, or similar platforms).
Hybrid flexible preferred
COMPLIANCE SALARY RANGE DISCLOSURE
Expected Pay Range: $145,454 - $160,000
Job Roles at Howard University
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Howard University Visa Sponsorship Jobs USA
Target faculty and research roles first
Howard University's sponsorship activity is concentrated in academic and research positions. Focus your search on faculty openings, postdoctoral roles, and research staff positions, where H-1B and Green Card sponsorship are most commonly offered.
Understand Howard's dual sponsorship pathways
Howard sponsors both H-1B visas for temporary work authorization and employment-based Green Cards for long-term positions. If you're looking for a path to permanent residence, ask recruiters directly whether a role supports Green Card sponsorship during the hiring process.
Align your application with Howard's institutional mission
Howard is a historically Black university with a strong commitment to underrepresented communities and social impact research. Candidates who can articulate how their work contributes to that mission tend to resonate more strongly with hiring committees.
Explore F-1 OPT and CPT pathways if you're a current student
Howard sponsors F-1 OPT and CPT, which means international students already enrolled there have on-campus work options. If you're completing a degree, connect with the international student office early to understand work authorization timelines.
Check for TN-eligible roles if you're Canadian or Mexican
Howard sponsors TN visas, which are faster and simpler than H-1B for Canadian and Mexican nationals in qualifying professional roles. Look for positions in education, research, or scientific fields where TN classification commonly applies.
Use Migrate Mate to filter for verified sponsorship history
Not every university job listing makes sponsorship eligibility clear upfront. Migrate Mate surfaces verified sponsors so you can filter by real sponsorship history and find Howard University roles where visa support has been confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Howard University sponsor H-1B visas?
Yes, Howard University sponsors H-1B visas. Sponsorship is most common for faculty, researchers, and specialized professional staff in fields requiring a relevant bachelor's degree or higher. If you're applying to a role at Howard and need H-1B sponsorship, it's worth confirming directly with the hiring department whether the specific position is eligible, as not every role qualifies.
What visa types does Howard University sponsor?
Howard University sponsors H-1B visas for skilled workers, employment-based Green Cards (EB-2 and EB-3) for longer-term hires, F-1 OPT and CPT for students pursuing work authorization, and TN visas for Canadian and Mexican nationals in eligible professional roles. The mix reflects Howard's position as a research university with both academic and administrative hiring needs.
Which departments or roles at Howard University are most likely to sponsor visas?
Academic and research departments are where visa sponsorship is most concentrated at Howard University. Faculty positions, postdoctoral fellowships, and research scientist roles in STEM and health sciences have historically been the strongest areas. Administrative and professional staff roles may also qualify, particularly in specialized functions, though sponsorship is less consistent outside of academic appointments.
How do I find open visa-sponsored jobs at Howard University?
Migrate Mate is the most reliable way to find Howard University roles that come with verified visa sponsorship history. Because universities don't always flag sponsorship eligibility in job postings, filtering by confirmed sponsors saves significant time. Once you identify a relevant opening, apply through Howard's official careers portal and follow up with HR about sponsorship during the screening process.
How do I approach the application timeline when targeting a sponsored role at Howard University?
University hiring cycles tend to run longer than private sector timelines, particularly for faculty and research roles that require committee review. For H-1B sponsorship specifically, Howard must file the petition before your work start date, and USCIS processing adds additional time. Starting your search several months ahead of when you need authorization is strongly recommended to avoid gaps in work status.