Director, Grants & Sponsored Research

The Director of Grants and Sponsored Research will identify, support, and facilitate the institutions’ faculty-related grants. This position will focus on pre-award activity related to faculty-driven research grants, and will work collaboratively with the Director of Corporate, Foundation, and Government Relations to support institutional grants as needed. They will also work with the Provost Office and the Director of the Center For Academic Innovation (CFAI) to facilitate grant writing workshops and training and to identify and support grant opportunities for faculty and staff as it relates to professional development, curriculum and program innovation. The Director will support and work with the Director of Academic and Undergraduate Research to support undergraduate research through monitoring and the release of endowed research gifts.

Project management of faculty grant applications includes identifying grant opportunities, assisting faculty in the development of proposal ideas, preparing and submitting proposals, overseeing/ensuring the submission of financial  and other reports   per required guidelines, and ensuring compliance with grant award guidelines in collaboration with the PI and the Finance Department.  The position will also support the development of grant associated budgets in collaboration with the Business Office.

Some remote work is possible.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Work to identify grant opportunities in support of institutional and academic priorities established by the Executive Team and Provost. The director will research funding opportunities available through local, state, and federal government agencies, and as necessary, support the institutional advancement office in the identification of funding through private and corporate foundations.
2. Facilitate faculty-driven grant development, budgeting in collaboration with the Business Office, and writing. Support editing and organizing grant documents written by faculty.
3. Coordinate persons involved with collaborative grant proposals – scheduling meetings, providing the tools and information needed to complete grant applications, overseeing timely progress and leading teams to successful grant application submissions.
4. Work with the Executive Team and Provost office to coordinate grant strategy with consulting firms as necessary.
5. Collaborate with the Institutional Advancement Office to develop strategies for securing grant funding.
6. Assist the Director of Undergraduate Research in support of undergraduate research and management of endowed gifts associated with research.
7. Work with the Director of the Center For Academic Innovation (CFAI) to facilitate workshops on grant writing.
8. Manage/Oversee faculty-related grants from governmental entities as well as local, regional, and national foundations. While the PI is responsible for the program deliverables and spending during the granting period, the officer will oversee this process to ensure alignment with the granting agency and grant itself.
9. Establish effective and collaborative relationships with key administrators, faculty, staff, foundations, and other funding agencies.
10. Work with the Business Office to ensure grants and grant budgets are administered in accordance with foundation and governmental guidelines and requirements. Facilitate grant approval process, post-award compliance, and ensure that timelines are met.
11. Maintain necessary records, files, reports, databases, and resource materials relevant to grant office activities.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education and/or demonstrated and significant experience in a comparable position. Demonstrated potential for successful grant writing, including knowledge or potential to learn federal government grant processes. Skills and/or potential to design, write, and edit complex grant documents including reporting requirements. Demonstrated understanding of budgets. Strong analytical skills and problem-solving skills with the ability to adapt to changes as needed. Effective written and oral communication skills to communicate and collaborate with multiple stakeholders across the institution. Proficiency in Microsoft and other computer programs/applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Suite). Ability to work with diverse stakeholders. Relevant experience and demonstrated success in project management roles in a college or university setting. Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and procedures. Knowledge of post-award compliance best practices.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Terminal degree from an accredited institution of higher education. Experience in grant writing for higher education. Demonstrated success in procuring grants or related support for projects in higher education. Knowledge of grant and external funding sources.