Grants Specialist
Alvernia University

Job Info

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About Alvernia University Alvernia University was founded in 1958 by the Bernardine Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. Through its main campus in Reading and locations in Philadelphia and Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, the university serves 3,000 students of diverse backgrounds from around the country. Alvernia offers a unique blend of rigorous liberal arts core education for the development of the mind, strong technical training in many high-demand majors, experiential learning through study abroad and internship experiences, and engagement with the community through our Franciscan-based community service model. We call our model of transformational education the Alvernia Advantage, and we believe this style of education transforms students into ethical leaders with moral courage. Alvernia University ranks in the top 100 among 2021 Best Regional Universities in the North by U.S. News & World Report, and we are recognized as a College of Distinction for our commitment to engaged experiential education. Job Summary:This position serves as a key member of the grants team and supports a proactive and positive grant-seeking culture at the university. The Grants Specialist contributes to the university's efforts to obtain grant funding and administer awarded grants. In collaboration with the Director of Grants, the Grants Specialist will support the identification of grant opportunities and the development of viable proposals for external funding of programs that address the institution's priorities and goals. The Grants Specialist contributes to the university's general grant strategy while focusing on grants for academic initiatives. The Grants Specialist supports grant-seeking and grant management efforts to ensure adherence to institutional policies, strategic objectives, and the university's Mission. Primary responsibilities include: 1) assist faculty, staff, and administrators with proposal development for internal and collaborative initiatives, projects, and programs; 2) serve as a co-writer and support for grant proposals; assist faculty and administrators as a co-author 3) prepare and submit applications and proposals, including budgets, to ensure quality and compliance with sponsor specifications; 4) support management of the institutional portfolio of grant proposals by administering grant management systems and procedures; 5) identify potential grant funding opportunities from government, foundation, and corporate sources; and 6) participate as a contributing member of the university's Institutional Advancement Department.
Essential Functions:

Promote Franciscan ideals and adherence to the Mission of the university as demonstrated by the University's Ideal Characteristics. As we are an equal opportunity employer committed to Franciscan values, all employees share responsibility for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the performance of their roles while demonstrating service orientation, respect for all, intellectual curiosity, solution focus and innovation, and mutual accountability.Coordinate and help oversee pre- and post-award management of institutional grants and monitor progress to ensure successful implementation in compliance with contract terms and agency requirements. Support grant project directors and managers relating to compliance, risk management, and administration of sponsored projects, including legal, ethical, regulatory, and performance aspects.Work collaboratively with the Director of Grants to support grant development for complex university grant initiatives throughout the institution with a focus on initiatives for the university's four Colleges.Support research on existing, emerging, and new federal and state legislation and regulatory requirements impacting grant initiatives to inform university practices and ensure compliance with requirements governing grant-funded projects.Aid in the improvement of the institutional strategic framework for soliciting grant funds. Collaborate with cross-functional teams in long- and short-range planning for new or enhanced programs and services. Contribute to Institutional Advancement's goals and objectives, focusing on grant-related activities.Support the Grants Office activities to research, evaluate, and identify funding opportunities in alignment with institutional priorities, strategic goals, and the university's competitive position. Collaborate with the Director of Grants to communicate and seek approval from the Senior Leadership Team, Provost, and program administrators. Assist the Director of Grants with the coordination of teams for proposal development, including the development of detailed project budgets in collaboration with accounting staff and with the approval of the Vice President of Business Affairs.Coordinate planning and data collection. Provide assistance with setting goals, objectives, timelines, budgets, evaluation, and sustainability plans. Oversee and participate in writing, editing, and review of all grant proposals. Ensure on-time submission, completeness, and compliance of grant proposals. Support grant management recordkeeping to track grant submissions, award status, compliance, and performance metrics. Ensure award reporting requirements are achieved.Organize orientation meetings, facilitate training, and serve as a point of contact with funding agencies. Assist project directors and grant teams with monitoring fiscal and programmatic activities in alignment with compliance and performance metrics. Provide guidance in monitoring progress toward project goals and objectives in collaboration with grant accounting. Ensure on-time submission, completeness, and compliance of grant reports to sponsors.Coordinate and facilitate the university's efforts in preparing for and responding to agency monitoring visits, external audits, or other cross-site evaluations requiring a review of project documentation and practices.Support the development of grant-related strategic partnerships with business and industry, educational institutions, economic development, and community-based agencies; facilitate external grant-related partnership meetings; lead grant partnership development activities; assist in negotiation of roles, duties, and contributions.Aid in the improvement/development and implementation of institutional policies, guidelines, standards, controls, procedures, and communication systems, in consultation with accounting staff, to provide internal controls over award activities and expenditures to ensure compliance.Support the design, implementation, and presentation of professional development opportunities for faculty and staff to develop and enhance grant-seeking and grant-writing skills.Foster, develop, and maintain relationships with government, foundation, and corporate granting agencies to strengthen collaborations and expand future funding opportunities. Network with grant development staff from institutions of higher education.Support day-to-day grant-related recordkeeping in Raiser's Edge NXT, Office 365, etc. Prepare scheduled and ad-hoc reports on grant activities and related topics.

Qualification/Education:

Commitment to the mission statement, core values, and goals of Alvernia University.Bachelor's Degree.Five years of experience in successful grant proposal writing, preferably within a higher education setting.Demonstrated evidence of project management skills.Excellent research and synthesis of information, along with writing and editing skills.Excellent communication (oral and written), interpersonal, organizational, and analytic skills required.Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, administrators, and staff on campus.Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize, and meet strict deadlines.Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office and related software, including databases, graphics programs, and grant submission software. Advanced Excel skills preferred.Ability to learn new software.

Physical Requirements:

Attendance is required in order to perform the duties of this job.Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.

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