Pre-Award Grant Specialist
Gardner-Webb University is seeking an experienced Pre-Award Grants Specialist to support its mission and strategic growth. Reporting directly to the President, this full-time position will manage and coordinate the grant application and pre-award process to identify potential new funding sources, develop funding resources, assist with the preparation of proposals and grant applications, write and edit grants, and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders regarding grant applications.
Essential Functions:
- Acquire and maintain a comprehensive knowledge of GWU, its mission, programs, and student population to fully understand all projects and programs for which grants will be sought and to recommend the seeking of grants;
- Research and identify philanthropic organizations, foundations, grants as well as state and federal funding opportunities that align with GWU’s mission, strategic growth, and fundraising priorities;
- Monitor regularly databases and resources to identify calls for proposals from public and private foundations and grantmakers;
- Create and manage a calendar and database to track potential funding opportunities, proposal requirements, the status of funding requested and received, deadlines, and reporting requirements. The incumbent will be responsible for communicating opportunities on a regular basis to the faculty;
- Keep abreast and notify senior leadership of changing state, federal, and private foundation grant standards and proposal guidelines;
- Organize meetings with appropriate colleagues to gather information necessary to fully understand a project or program for which funding is being sought. When needed, coordinate and facilitate internal and external working groups involved in proposal development (external groups may include representatives from state and community agencies, healthcare organizations, employers and workforce development agencies);
- Write, edit, and submit competitive applications and proposals for funding and/or letters of interest, and manage the collection of all required documentation in accordance with each funding organization’s preferences following each organization’s/funders’ guidelines;
- Manage the process of supplying progress reports to funders;
- Increase GWU’s grant writing capacity by developing boilerplate proposals on various funding priorities that may then be adapted per opportunity, establishing a library of resources;
- Seek new avenues for funding and new grant opportunities;
- Work closely with faculty and staff in developing and transforming ideas into grant proposals;
- Provide policy guidance and assistance with all aspects of proposal development, administrative forms, sponsor-required certifications and representations, and compliance requirements; and
- Advise and assist faculty and staff in assembling grant proposals from the proposal stage to the project being awarded.
Specific Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Ability to work as a team member; willing to collaborate on overall development of department initiatives and work collaboratively in a mission-oriented organization
- Possess excellent interpersonal, organizational, communication, and writing skills
- Capacity to manage multiple projects and deadlines
- Ability to cooperate and maintain a positive working relationship with colleagues and prospective donors
- Must be self-motivating
Educational Qualification and Experience:
- BA/BS degree required in English, Journalism, Marketing or related fields
- Minimum of 2 years of experience as a primary writer and editor in development of federal, state, and/or private grant applications for higher education or community-based organizations as evidenced by history of funding success
- Experience with growing grants program
- Knowledge of and ability to research grants electronically and through print sources
- Proficiency in MS Excel, MS Office Suite, PowerPoint, database management and data search tools
- Proven ability to apply a strategic mindset to the task of identifying and pursuing new funding sources
Gardner-Webb University is a coeducational, residential, private Christian institution located in Boiling Springs, North Carolina with easy access to Charlotte, Asheville, and Greenville-Spartanburg. The University offers 80+ undergraduate and graduate degree programs to approximately 3,500 students. Academic units include Arts & Sciences, Health Sciences, Business, Education, Divinity, Psychology & Counseling, Performing and Visual Arts. GWU is home to 22 Division I athletics teams and competes in the Big South Conference.
Interested persons should send a letter of interest, resume, and three references to Stephanie Stearns, Office of the President, 200 Webb Hall, Gardner-Webb University, Boiling Springs, NC 28017. Electronic submissions should be sent to [email protected]. Review of applications will begin immediately, and the position will remain open until filled.