Philanthropic Grants Research and Development Professional (Resrch Spons Progs Admin III), University Advancement - Philanthropic Giving

 

 

Job Summary:

Under the general supervision of the Senior Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, the Philanthropic Grants Research and Development Specialist independently performs advanced-level pre- and post-award grants and contracts administration to support corporate and foundation fundraising initiatives. This position applies advanced knowledge of grant administration, university policy, and external funding regulations to facilitate the submission, negotiation, and management of philanthropic proposals, gifts, contracts, and agreements.

 

As a key member of University Advancement, this position collaborates with faculty, staff, and external partners to identify and pursue funding opportunities, develop competitive proposals, ensure compliance with donor and institutional requirements, and steward awarded funds through close-out. The incumbent provides strategic and technical expertise in all phases of philanthropic grant development and management to advance institutional priorities.

 

Responsibilities:

Pre-Award

• Serve as the primary contact for assigned Principal Investigators (PIs), Project Directors (PDs), and department leads in the development and submission of corporate and foundation grant proposals.

• Research, interpret, and analyze funding opportunities to evaluate institutional fit and eligibility.

• Coordinate proposal planning activities, review guidelines, and assist PIs/PDs with developing application narratives, letters of intent, and supporting materials.

• Prepare and review project budgets, applying current institutional rates (salaries, benefits, indirect costs, etc.) and ensuring compliance with sponsor and university policies.

• Independently manage submission processes through proposal portals as the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR).

• Draft, edit, and proofread proposal materials to ensure accuracy, consistency, and alignment with institutional standards.

• Develop and maintain relationships with corporate and foundation funders, and collaborate with faculty and Advancement colleagues to align proposals with donor priorities.

• Maintain comprehensive files and records for proposals, including boilerplate text, statistical data, and frequently used departmental materials.

• Develop and deliver training workshops and resources for faculty and staff on philanthropic grant identification, proposal development, and compliance best practices.

 

Post-Award

• Serve as the primary contact for all post-award issues, ensuring compliance with donor and institutional requirements.

• Track and reconcile financial activity for assigned grants and contracts, reviewing expenditures, encumbrances, and financial reports to ensure accuracy.

• Coordinate with Accounting, Procurement, and Research Compliance to process budget modifications, cost transfers, and financial adjustments as needed.

• Prepare and submit progress reports, no-cost extensions, and other post-award requests to funders.

• Conduct financial and performance reviews to identify and resolve discrepancies, deficits, or compliance issues.

• Facilitate project close-out in accordance with institutional and donor expectations.

• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to highlight awarded grants and ensure proper recognition of donors

 

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Participate in university and Advancement meetings, events, and trainings related to corporate and foundation fundraising.

• Support the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and assessment tools for Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR).

• Conduct presentations and workshops to promote awareness of philanthropic grant opportunities and compliance.

• Perform other classification-related duties as assigned.

 

 

Minimum Qualifications: Required Education and Experience

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a related field and four years of relevant experience. Additional experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

 

Required Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge and understanding of grant proposal administration, budgeting, and postaward practices and administration principles, concepts, processes, and best practices.

• Demonstrated competence in applying advanced judgment to