Grants Development Manager

The Grants Development Office oversees all activities appropriate to the successful pursuit and administration of university grants and contracts, both internally and externally funded. The Grants Development Manager:

• assists with managing a portfolio of grants that in recent years has included sponsored support from the U.S. Department of Education (SSS, NASS and McNair programs); NSF; foundations, including the Mellon Foundation and Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies; the State of Minnesota; and business and industry;
• assists faculty, staff, and administrators with pre- and post-award grant activity;
• supports and advocates for grant sponsored activities across campus.

The Grants Development Office is a cooperative effort between the University of Minnesota Morris and the University of Minnesota Sponsored Projects Administration and Research & Innovation Office located on the Twin Cities campus. The Manager reports to the Morris campus Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (VCAA) & Dean and has a dotted line reporting responsibility to the University of Minnesota Research & Innovation Office.

Responsibilities include:

Grant development and coordination of pre-award grant activity (45%)

• Manage and continue to develop the campus's portfolio of external grants, including mentoring faculty and staff in their efforts to develop proposals to external and internal funding sources, and grant cultivation.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and administration to develop funding proposals and to assure steady progress as proposal deadlines approach.Identify and help diversify external funding sources for various campus constituencies.
• Coordinate with the UMN Research & Innovation Office on strategic planning, funding opportunities, processes, and the elevation of research and innovation.
• Understand and apply wide-range of University policy and procedures related to research/sponsored projects and use various electronic systems for grants management.
• Interpret federal, state and sponsor terms and conditions and reconcile with applicable University policy and procedure to provide proper internal guidance to investigators, senior research officials and staff.
• Provide assistance to faculty and staff on budget development, management, and reporting, including questions of direct and indirect costs, and applicability.
• Conduct preliminary review of proposals for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to policies and procedures.
• Ensure that funding proposals and budgets are accurate, complete, and conform to funder requirements and University of Minnesota policy.
• Respond to issues that arise from the sponsor, or investigator prior to award.

Management and coordination of post-award grant activity (40%)

• Work with sponsor legal counsel and contracting officers, and principal investigators, Office of the General Counsel, division chairs, dean, other University business offices to devise or alter grant terms as needed to ensure proper costing and adherence to University policies while maintaining positive relationships with sponsoring agencies.
• Understand and apply University policy and procedures related to research/sponsored projects and use various electronic systems for grants management.
• Interpret federal, state and sponsor terms and conditions and reconcile with applicable University policy and procedure to provide proper internal guidance to investigators, senior research officials and staff.
• Prepare post-award documents for use by the appropriate University offices. Serve as a resource during award set-up and project launch.
• Schedule regular check-ins with PIs. Review active grant balances, and facilitate revisions when appropriate.
• Provide assistance to faculty, staff, and personnel from outside agencies in the identification and resolution of problems that result from all stages of sponsored research activity.

Day-to-Day Direction of the Morris Campus Grants Development Office (15%)

• Supervision: Work with the Office's Post-Award Grants Coordinator on all pre- and post-award activities.
• Team Leadership: Promote and enhance a culture of integrity, service and excellence. Foster a positive, productive, healthy work environment for all team members.
• Campus Leadership: Set funding goals annually and develop an annual plan for pursuing and managing grants, including plans for helping to increase faculty pursuit of external fundings. Provide leadership, vision and planning for general enhancement of sponsored projects activities. Provide campus-wide consultation on a variety of policies and issues regarding preparing, conducting and/or administrating sponsored projects.
• Budgets and grant statistics: Monitor, review and evaluate yearly proposal and award amounts as well as grant expenditures and develop and recommend plans to increase external funding activity. Monitor Facilities and administrative (F&A) costs and provide administrators and business offices with updates and assessments.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree with at least 6 years of experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous grant budgeting and management experience
• Experience working in higher education
• Experience with enterprise grants management systems (including grants.gov, NSF FastLane, MNGEMS, etc.)
• Ability to interact with people of all responsibility levels within the University, and funding agencies.
• Ability to prioritize workload
• Supervisory experience
• Able to work both independently and in a team environment

Pay Range: $82500 - $86000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

A resume and cover letter are required for consideration.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota Morris (UMN Morris)

The University of Minnesota Morris (UMN Morris) makes its home on a 121-year-old campus on the western edge of the state and is one of the top public liberal arts colleges in the nation. The small, close-knit campus emphasizes faculty/student collaboration in research, study abroad, and community engaged learning. Deeply rooted in the tall grass prairies of Minnesota, the campus also has advanced sustainable, environmentally friendly initiatives that have grown to levels of national leadership and touch nearly all aspects of campus life.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).