The College of Wooster is seeking an Associate Director of Sponsored Research. This position collaborates with the Provost, Vice President for Advancement, and other key campus partners to further the College’s sponsored research agenda and support faculty research and College-wide strategic initiatives. The associate director develops, edits, writes, and submits grant proposals and reports to foundations and other funding entities; assists faculty and staff with funding searches, develops budgets and various proposal components, and provides grant-related training and timely communication of funding processes and procedures; and ensures proposal and award compliance with internal policies, sponsor and foundation requirements, and applicable state and federal regulations. The associate director also maintains a website to educate, inform, and celebrate opportunities and secured resources.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Lead, advise, and participate in proposal development process and stewardship.
Conduct research, project design, grant writing, budget preparation, and form completion for external funding opportunities.
Review and edit proposals, ensuring that they meet application criteria, technical requirements, and competitive standards.
Submit proposals through federal and other funder systems.
Provide consistent and appropriate stewardship through proper administration of grant awards and generate reports in compliance with grant requirements.
Provide consultation, direction, and technical assistance to faculty and staff for grant opportunities, management, and compliance, including reporting and grant-related contracts.
Ensure that internal policies and procedures comply with policies of public and private funding sources.
Serve as liaison between the College and funding agencies.
Research, identify, and evaluate funding opportunities to align with current and future institutional priorities and needs, and monitor funding trends and implement best practices for proposal and program development.
Discuss institutional priorities and faculty interests with relevant staff and faculty to assist in identification of potential funding opportunities.
Design and develop training, informational, and instructional materials related to grant opportunities, development, management, and compliance, including representation online through creation of Grant Support and Administration website.
Create, document, and maintain information on foundation, corporate, and government funding sources within RENXT data base, tracking activity and recording strategies and outcomes.
Coordinate continuous monitoring of existing and proposed grants through regular meetings with Senior Grants Analyst and AVP/Controller
Assist in the planning of visits to foundations, corporations, and governmental agencies.
Additional Information:
The College of Wooster does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex/gender, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, political affiliation, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, disability, age, marital status, family responsibilities, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by institutional policy, or by state, local, or federal law. All offers of employment are subject to verification of the legal right to work in the United States as required by federal law. The College of Wooster is committed by policy and practice to diversity, equity and inclusion. For more information see our nondiscrimination policy.
Minimum of three to five years’ experience in a similar position within higher education preferred. Related work at a non-profit or foundation is also acceptable.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
Successful candidate will have thorough understanding of the value of a residential liberal arts and sciences education and be able to articulate that understanding, including the need to work across various constituent groups like faculty, staff in advancement and finance areas, and governmental and granting agencies.
Strong attention to detail and demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines. Strong oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to think and work independently and complete tasks with minimal supervision.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, Adobe Acrobat, and virtual collaboration programs such as Teams and Zoom.
Must uphold professional and ethical standards for handling confidential information.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Ability to establish and maintain effective and collegial working relationships with college personnel, state and federal agencies, and private organizations.
Our collective endeavor is to prosper as a distinguished independent liberal arts college, to thrive as a vigorous intellectual community, and to create a reputation that reflects our achievements. We seek to be leaders in liberal learning, building on our tradition of graduating independent thinkers who are well prepared to seek solutions to significant problems, to create and communicate new knowledge and insight, and to make significant contributions to our complex and interdependent world.