Job Description

Williams College, a private liberal arts college and the second-oldest institution of higher education in Massachusetts, is thrilled to announce a search for its next Director of Sponsored Research and Foundation Relations.

The Director oversees the work of the Grants Office by supporting the college’s faculty in securing external funding for their research and creative work and broadening Williams’ institutional grant funding portfolio. The Director serves as a creative and resourceful partner to the college’s faculty, supporting their efforts to secure external funding for their research and creative work, and in collaboration with the Grants Office team, overseeing the entire lifecycle of grants management. This includes pre-award support, including reviewing all faculty grant applications for compliance, competitiveness, and completeness, as well as post-award support, such as negotiating award terms and conditions and issuing sub-awards. The Director also serves as an authorized organizational representative for signing grant agreements and contacts, staying closely up to date on federal regulations and ensuring compliance at every stage of an award.

The Director is also charged with broadening Williams’ institutional grant funding portfolio and strengthening foundation and corporate support. Collaborating with the Dean of Faculty’s office, the Development office, and Senior Staff, the Director identifies college priorities, new initiatives, and projects suitable for foundation funding. In this capacity, the Director serves as an important facilitator and steward of relationships between grantors and representatives at the college.

The Director of Sponsored Research and Foundation Relations is an exciting, full-time, year-round, in-person administrative staff position that involves frequent interactions with faculty and staff colleagues throughout campus. The Director reports to the Dean of the Faculty and works closely with partners in the Office of College Relations, the Provost’s Office and the Finance Office.

Responsibilities:

• Faculty Support, Compliance, & Life-Cycle Grants Management
• Oversee pre-award faculty grant support (e.g., locating appropriate funding sources, developing application strategies, preparing and reviewing applications and budgets).
• Ensure appropriate research compliance infrastructure is in place.
• Oversee post-award faculty grant support (e.g., negotiating award terms and conditions, accepting awards, managing sub-awards).
• Fundraising & Grant Strategy
• Collaborate with the Dean of Faculty’s office, the Development office, and Senior Staff to identify college priorities, new initiatives, and projects suitable for foundation funding.
• Establish annual fundraising goals and solicitation calendars.
• Develop, write, and submit competitive grant proposals in support of college initiatives and resources and in response to funder RFPs and college priorities.
• Write reports for institutional funders and facilitate communication between grantors and representatives of the college.
• Outreach, Professional Development, & Campus Engagement
• Design and implement outreach activities to foster a strong campus grant culture.
• Maintain active engagement with the academic/administrative life of the college.
• Network with peer institutions and attend industry conferences (SCAFRO, CLASP, NCURA, NORDP) to stay current on best practices.
• Supervision & Office Administration
• Directly supervise, evaluate, and manage the performance of the Associate Director and the Grants Office Coordinator.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required; Certified Research Administration Certification (CRA) and/or Masters in Research Administration preferred
• A minimum of 5 years of highly relevant professional experience is required
• Skill in the use and execution of fundraising techniques, particularly the proposal development process from conception to submission, and budget development and analysis
• Superior writing and editing skills
• Confidence in representing Williams through written and oral communications
• Skill in working within the hierarchical structure of the faculty, respecting their autonomy as teachers and scholars while fostering their commitment to institutional programs and initiatives
• Ability to effectively manage faculty during their individual grant application process, while respecting their autonomy as teachers and scholars
• Familiarity with the goals and traditions of liberal arts education and with the structure and operation of academic institutions;
• Adept at discussing and describing issues and topics in a variety of academic disciplines
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office products and Google Suite as well as with web-based databases, documents, budgeting systems, and online application portals (e.g., research.gov, eRA-Commons/ASSIST).

The pay range for the Director of Sponsored Research and Foundation Relations position is from $110,000 - $130,000, commensurate with experience. The role is based on the Williams College campus in Williamstown, MA. Hybrid on-site/remote work arrangements may be available for up to 1 day of remote work per week for employees based in MA, NY, CT, or VT, following a fully in-person onboarding period.

To apply for the Director of Sponsored Research and Foundation Relations position, please submit as separate documents in your application both a 1) cover letter and 2) updated resume. A cover letter and resume are required for your application to be considered.

Application review will begin on November 17, 2026.

This full-time, year-round position is eligible for Williams College’s robust benefits package designed to support you in your work and overall health and wellness. Williams College is committed to building a broadly diverse and inclusive community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn, and thrive.

Please visit http://careers.williams.edu to apply.

ALL employees must have completed an I-9 BEFORE they can begin work.

Employment at Williams is contingent on the verification of background information submitted by the applicant, including the completion of a criminal record check, and education when applicable. Decisions regarding appointments, promotions, and conditions of employment comply with applicable federal or state law prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, or military service.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Beyond meeting fully its legal obligations for non-discrimination, Williams College is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn and thrive. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please feel free to contact us via phone at (413) 597-2681 or email at hr@williams.edu.