Planning Resource list and Task Assignment

Client would prefer to associate default roles at the task level to project level assignments when a resource is assigned.  Is there a way to pick up the hours associated with the effort at the task level instead of having to go through each resource assignment at the project level to update hours, work pattern, etc? 

Anyone have any suggestions to speed up resource assignment at the project level for a client that has to resource 1000's of projects annually?   

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Matt