Grants Specialist
Alvernia University

Job Info

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Job Summary:

This position serves as a key member of the grants team and supports a proactive and positive grant seeking culture at the university. The Grants Specialist is responsible for coordinating the University's efforts to obtain grant funding by the identification and development of viable proposals for external funding of programs which address educational priorities and goals; assesses program needs; provides technical assistance to administrators and staff regarding potential funding sources, strategies and preparation of proposals and budgets; establishes networks with representatives from other colleges, school districts and funding sources; facilitates and coordinates the University's grants review process.

The Grants Specialist helps plan, organize, and manage all grant development functions at the University. Coordinates grant-seeking efforts to ensure adherence to institutional policies, strategic objectives, and University Mission. Primary responsibilities include: 1) identify potential grant funding opportunities from government, foundation and corporate sources; 2) prepare and manage the institutional portfolio of grant proposals; 3) serve as a principal writer and assist faculty and administrators as co-author; 4) prepare and submit applications to ensure quality and compliance with sponsor specifications; and 5) administer and implement systems and procedures to ensure successful grant-seeking efforts at the University.

Essential Functions:

1. Promote Franciscan ideals and adherence to the Mission of the University as demonstrated by the University Ideal Characteristics. As we are an equal opportunity employer committed to Franciscan values, all employees share responsibility for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the performance of their roles while demonstrating: service orientation, respect for all, intellectual curiosity, solution focus and innovation, and mutual accountability.
2. Coordinates and help oversee pre- and post-award management of institutional grants and monitor progress to ensure successful implementation in compliance with contract terms and agency requirements. Support grant project directors and managers relating to compliance, risk management, and administration of sponsored projects including legal, ethical, regulatory, and performance aspects.
3. Support grant development for complex university grant initiatives at the Holleran Center for Community Engagement and the O'Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship.
4. Research existing, emerging, and new federal and state legislation and regulatory requirements impacting grant initiatives. Communicate findings with internal constituents to inform university practices and ensure compliance with requirements governing grant-funded projects.
5. Aid in the development of an institutional strategic framework for soliciting grant funds. Collaborate with cross-functional teams in long- and short-range planning for new or enhanced programs and services. Develop, implement, and monitor an annual grant funding plan with measurable goals and objectives
6. Research, evaluate, and identify funding opportunities in alignment with institutional priorities, strategic goals, and the university's competitive position. Communicate and seek approval from the SVP and Provost and program administrators. Organize and coordinate teams for proposal development including the development of detailed project budgets in collaboration with accounting staff and with the approval of the CFO.
7. Coordinate planning and data collection. Provide assistance with setting goals, objectives, timelines, budgets, evaluation and sustainability plans. Oversee and participate in writing, editing, and review of all grant proposals. Ensure on-time submission, completeness, and compliance of grant proposal. Monitor grant management databases to track grant submissions, award status, compliance and performance metrics.
8. Organize orientation meetings, facilitate trainings, and serve as key point of contact with funding agencies. Assist project directors and grant teams with monitoring fiscal and programmatic activities in alignment with compliance and performance metrics. Provide guidance in monitoring progress toward project goals and objectives in collaboration with grant accounting. Ensure on-time submission, completeness, and compliance of grant reports to sponsors.
9. Coordinate and facilitate the university's efforts in preparing for and responding to agency monitoring visits, external audits, or other cross- site evaluations requiring a review of project documentation and practices
10. Support the development of grant related strategic partnerships with business and industry, educational institutions, economic development and community-based agencies; facilitate external grant related partnership meetings; lead grant partnership development activities, assist in negotiation of roles, duties and contributions.
11. Aid in the development and implementation of institutional policies, guidelines, standards, controls, procedures, and communication systems, in consultation with accounting staff, to provide internal controls over award activities and expenditures to ensure compliance.
12. Design, implement and lead opportunities for faculty and staff to develop and enhance grant seeking and grant writing skills.
13. Foster, develop, and maintain relationships with government, foundation, and corporate granting agencies to strengthen collaborations and expand future funding opportunities. Network with grant development staff from institutions of higher education.
14. Facilitate and coordinate the functions of the Grants Review Committee including planning the grant calendar for approval by the Senior Leadership Team.
15. Maintain the institutional grants database. Prepare quarterly reports on grant office statistics. Prepare ad-hoc reports on grants activities and related topics as requested. Prepare an annual grant report to the SVP and Provost.

Qualification/Education:

1. Commitment to the mission statement, core values and goals of Alvernia University.
2. Bachelor's Degree
3. Five years of experience in successful grant proposal writing, preferably within a higher education setting
4. Demonstrated evidence of project management skills.
5. Excellent research and synthesis of information, along with writing and editing skills.
6. Excellent communication (oral and written), interpersonal, organizational and analytic skills required
7. Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, administrators, and staff on campus
8. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize and meet strict deadlines
9. Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office and related software, including databases, graphics programs, and grant submission software. Advanced Excel skills required
10. Ability to learn new software

Physical Requirements:

1. Attendance is required in order to perform the duties of this job.
2. Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
3. Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.

This job has expired.