Director, Grants Administration

Western Governors University•Salt Lake City, UT

6d•$113,200 - $203,800•Remote

About The Position

The Director of Grants Administration will lead the grants administration department at WGU. This high-visibility role is responsible for setting the strategic vision, developing administrative policies, and ensuring operational excellence in both pre- and post-award grant functions. The Director will collaborate closely with senior leadership, faculty, finance, legal and procurement teams and external funding agencies to support and advance the university's mission. This role requires a seasoned grant professional with a deep understanding of grant compliance, funding strategies, and relationship management.

Requirements

Ensure adherence to federal, state, and sponsor regulations governing grant management.
Stay informed about changes in grant compliance requirements and communicate updates effectively to stakeholders.
Advocate for best practices and continuous improvement in grants administration.
Expertise in leading a grants administration department.
Deep experience with navigating different funding agencies, both private and public.
Communicates effectively as the leader of the grants administration team.
Ability to direct diverse constituencies, including faculty members, staff, colleagues, and internal and external constituents.
Implements key office technology and software for tracking grants.
Develop appropriate workflows and maintain records.
Establish a centralized service model for grant identification, submission, and stewardship.
Leverage technology, including Salesforce CRM, to track, manage, and report on grant activity.
Develop and execute a change management and communication strategy to educate stakeholders on grants administration processes.
Ability to use computers and computer software with ease (including Microsoft Word, Excel, web-based tools, and similar software), and the ability and flexibility to learn new skills as different duties may arise
Ability to work both independently and as a team member.
At times, the work is fast-paced with long hours and tight deadlines.
Strong leadership and team management skills.
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Knowledge of the research regulatory environment and requirements for compliance
Ability to analyze proposals and contracts and identify areas needing resolution
Strong ability in policy review, data collection, statistical evaluation of data, and strategies for conveying results to users
Bachelor’s Degree with 10 or more years of grants administration experience OR Master's or Doctorate degree with 7 or more years of grant experience
5+ years of leadership experience
Proven experience in both pre- and post-award grant functions
Deep understanding of federal, state, and private funding agency regulations

Nice To Haves

Master's degree
Experience in higher education grants administration
Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for education degree requirements. Generally, equivalent relevant experience is defined as 1 year of experience for 1 year of education and is the discretion of the hiring manager.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a strategic vision for the grants administration department, setting goals and performance metrics.
Create and execute a framework for grant submissions, ensuring sponsor’s grant guidelines are met, documents internal approvals, reviews budgets and other required submission documents to ensure they are in alignment
Serve as the primary point of contact for all grant-related activities, ensuring seamless coordination between university departments and external funding sources.
Oversee budget planning and resource allocation for the grants office.
Lead a growing team, providing mentorship, training, and performance management to ensure professional development and efficiency.
Establish policies, procedures, and workflows to ensure mission alignment, compliance, and quality in grants administration.
Develop a structured framework for grant submissions, ensuring alignment with funding agency guidelines.
Guide faculty and staff in the preparation, review, and submission of grant proposals.
Ensure internal approvals, budget development, and compliance with institutional and sponsor requirements.
Identify funding opportunities as needed and provide strategic guidance on proposal development.
Oversee the successful execution of awarded grants, ensuring compliance with all regulations and reporting requirements.
Collaborate with finance partners to monitor budgets, spending, and grant-related financial activities.
Develop timelines and prepare necessary reports to ensure timely submission of grant deliverables.
Establish mechanisms for tracking grant impact and outcomes.
Communicates effectively with WGU senior leadership regarding all aspects of grants administration.
Responsible for an internal communication and change management plan to expand knowledge and expectations surrounding grants administration.
Establish a centralized service and resource office for grants identification, development, submission, and stewardship/reporting.
Collaborates with members of the Advancement team including fundraisers, project management, and advancement services to achieve team-wide goals and deliverables.
Performs other related duties as assigned.