Job Description

Director of Grants and Sponsored Programs

Benedictine University is an inclusive academic community, inspired by the Catholic intellectual tradition and Benedictine values. We seek employees who will contribute to the advancement of our mission by helping students shape lives of meaning and purpose as engaged citizens who care for the Earth, welcome people of diverse faiths and cultures, and promote the common good.

Job Title: Director of Grants and Sponsored Programs

Department: Academic Affairs

Reports to: Assistant Provost for Academic Strategy and Growth

Status: Full-Time, Benefit Eligible

Location: Lisle CampusRate: $85,000 annually

Position Summary: The Director of Grants and Sponsored Programs leads Benedictine University’s efforts to secure external grant funding that strengthens University finances, advances institutional priorities, strengthens academic quality and student success, and provides resources for strategically important initiatives. Reporting through Academic Affairs, the Director provides central coordination for grants and sponsored programs across the University’s campuses, academic programs, and administrative units. The Director develops a proactive funding strategy, cultivates funder relationships, and works with University leaders, faculty, and staff to develop competitive, financially sustainable projects.The Director manages relationships with external grants consultants and service providers, directing their work in support of University priorities and coordinating their services with institutional project teams. The Director leads proposal development and submission and coordinates award stewardship with project leaders, Business and Finance, University Advancement, and designated compliance personnel.

The Director is expected to build and sustain a grant portfolio capable of securing several million dollars in new and renewed awards annually. Specific targets and a reasonable development period will be established with the Assistant Provost based on the existing pipeline, institutional readiness, and available funding opportunities. Proposed opportunities are evaluated for mission and strategic alignment, probability of success, support for existing institutional costs, allowable indirect cost recovery, required matching funds, cash-flow implications, and obligations extending beyond the award period. Financial contribution is an explicit criterion in evaluating opportunities and portfolio performance, while recognizing that some mission-critical awards warrant approved institutional investment. Performance will reflect both funding secured and its financial and programmatic contribution to the University.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

1. Funding strategy and relationship development - Develop and implement an annual grants strategy aligned with University priorities, financial needs, and opportunities for growth. Establish annual and multiyear funding goals with the Assistant Provost for Academic Strategy and Growth and build a diversified pipeline capable of supporting several million dollars in new and renewed awards annually. Cultivate funder relationships and use prospect research, funding assessments, and external consulting resources to inform recommendations. Prioritize opportunities based on mission and strategic alignment, competitiveness, financial contribution, required institutional investment, readiness, and long-term obligations. Coordinate prospect assignments, cultivation strategies, and solicitations with University Advancement to prevent competing approaches, maintain consistent institutional messaging, and ensure that gifts and sponsored awards are routed through the appropriate University processes.2. Project design, partnerships, and proposal development - Work proactively with faculty, University leaders, and staff across campuses, academic programs, and administrative units to translate institutional priorities and emerging ideas into fundable projects. Help teams with varying levels of grant experience develop competitive proposals that strengthen academic quality, student success, and strategically important initiatives. Lead proposal development in collaboration with University project teams and external grants consultants, establishing clear responsibilities, timelines, and review milestones. Help teams develop compelling narratives, measurable outcomes, credible budgets, evaluation methods, and sustainability plans. Build external partnerships and assess institutional costs and commitments with Business and Finance, project leaders, and affected University units.
2. Proposal submission and institutional approvals - In collaboration with the Assistant Provost for Academic Strategy and Growth, establish and maintain an institutional process for prioritizing grant opportunities, resolving competing requests, and obtaining timely decisions from appropriate University leaders on matching funds, staffing, space, and other University commitments. Ensure consultation with affected units and approval by authorized University officials before proposals are submitted or commitments are made. Manage proposal routing, institutional approvals, and submission through current sponsor systems. Ensure that proposals are complete, accurate, and consistent with sponsor requirements. Coordinate compliance reviews with designated University offices, maintain proposal records and procedures, and serve as an authorized organizational representative when formally designated.
3. Award stewardship and post-award coordination - Coordinate the transition from proposal development to award implementation, ensuring that project leaders and supporting offices understand award obligations, responsibilities, deadlines, and deliverables. Monitor program progress, support funder communication, and coordinate amendments, renewals, extensions, and closeout activities. Work with Business and Finance on required invoicing, reimbursement requests, and periodic financial reporting, tracking sponsor deadlines and ensuring that project leaders provide necessary documentation. Business and Finance retains responsibility for accounting and financial reporting; project leaders retain responsibility for implementation and program outcomes. Coordinate with these offices and designated compliance staff to address concerns and fulfill award requirements.
4. Faculty and staff development, portfolio reporting, and improvement - Build faculty and staff capacity to identify funding opportunities, develop projects, prepare proposals, and fulfill award responsibilities. Coordinate access to external grants resources, consulting services, and training, and maintain accessible University grants resources. Report regularly to the Assistant Provost on new and renewed awards secured, annual grant revenue as determined by Business and Finance, financial contribution, institutional investment and continuing obligations, alignment with institutional priorities, and program outcomes. Distinguish the full value of multiyear awards from funding available in a single year and assess progress against annual goals and a rolling three-year target. Provide portfolio information to other University leaders as appropriate. Use portfolio data and feedback to improve grants processes and evaluate the contribution of external consultants and service providers to funding results and institutional capacity.

Other Functions:

1. Serve as the primary University contact for grants-related questions and coordinate access to external grants consulting support.
2. Educate faculty and staff on grant policies and procedures, helping prevent duplicate requests and ensuring institutional commitments are approved before submission.
3. Monitor emerging funding trends, tools, and best practices to improve the University’s grants development and administration.
4. Support interdepartmental data collection and integrity efforts related to proposals, reporting, and program evaluation.
5. Maintain the University’s grants webpage and shared resources, including funding opportunities, guidance, and proposal-development materials.
6. Participate in relevant University meetings, professional networks, and events that support funding relationships and collaborative opportunities.
7. Uphold Benedictine University’s values and advance its mission through professional conduct and engagement with internal and external partners.

Required Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's Degree Required, Master's Degree Preferred

Experience: A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in grant development, sponsored programs, institutional fundraising, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and demonstrated accomplishments. Demonstrated success leading competitive proposals and securing substantial external funding required. Candidates must be able to document their specific contribution to major awards and sustained funding results across multiple years. Experience building or expanding a multimillion-dollar grant portfolio, working in higher education, and directing external grant consultants preferred.

Specific Skills: Excellent proposal-writing, editing, communication, and relationship-building skills. Demonstrated ability to lead an institutional funding strategy, develop fundable projects, cultivate sponsors, and coordinate faculty, staff, partners, and external consultants. Strong budgeting and analytical skills, including the ability to assess financial contribution, matching requirements, cash-flow implications, institutional commitments, and program sustainability. Ability to manage a complex funding pipeline, establish priorities collaboratively across University units, and guide proposals from initial concept through submission and award.

Specific Knowledge, Licenses, Certifications: Yes. Knowledge of government, foundation, and corporate funding sources; competitive proposal development; award administration; and funder stewardship. Working knowledge of applicable federal grant requirements, including Uniform Guidance, and current electronic submission systems. Understanding of grant budgeting, indirect cost recovery, financial reporting, and program evaluation. Relevant advanced training or professional certification in grants development or research administration is desirable.

Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds. Use of computer screen, phone and customer service. May require bending, or sitting for long periods of time. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

The following of campus specific guidelines for pandemic protocols are required.

Travel (If applicable): No

Supervisory Responsibility (if applicable): No

Working Conditions: Normal office conditions

Employee Benefits Package:

We are pleased to offer the following benefits to support your health, well-being, and professional growth. Please note that benefits are subject to change and eligibility requirements may apply:

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage to support your health needs.
• Disability Insurance: Protection for both short-term and long-term disability.
• Life Insurance: Financial security for your loved ones in case of the unexpected.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous paid vacation, sick leave, and mental health days.
• Retirement Plans: Save for your future with our retirement savings options.
• Mental Health Support: Access to counseling and resources for mental well-being.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Financial support for your education and professional development.
• Financial Wellness Advisors: Personalized advice to help manage and plan your finances.
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP): Confidential support for personal or work-related challenges.

Benedictine University does not discriminate in its admissions or educational policies, programs or activities; scholarship and loan programs; athletic and other University administered programs or employment practices on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, military or veteran status, marital status, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The laws applicable to Benedictine University include constitutional and statutory protections of the University's rights as a religiously sponsored institution. This policy of equal employment opportunity applies to all employment and personnel practices including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, promotion, training and compensation.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. The following of campus specific guidelines for pandemic protocols are required.

Benedictine University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.