Director, Grants and Research Development

Lindenwood University • Saint Charles, MO

17h • Hybrid

About The Position

The director, grants and research development provides strategic and entrepreneurial leadership to expand Lindenwood University’s research, scholarship, creative activity, innovation, and sponsored programs. Working with University leadership, faculty, students, and external partners, the Director strengthens the University’s research enterprise, expands opportunities for faculty and students, and advances institutional capacity for externally funded research. A primary responsibility is increasing the University’s success in securing grants and contracts by identifying high-value funding opportunities, developing competitive proposals, building partnerships, and cultivating relationships with government agencies, foundations, industry, and other sponsors.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in a research focused field or related discipline
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in research, sponsored programs, research administration, research development, or a related higher education or research environment
• Demonstrated experience supporting externally funded research, sponsored projects, and/or investigators pursuing external funding
• Demonstrated success in securing competitive grants, contracts, or external funding
• Working knowledge of research compliance, research ethics, and the regulatory environment applicable to university research
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically while also managing hands-on operational responsibilities in a developing organization
• Strong leadership, communication, collaboration, project management, and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with faculty, institutional leaders, students, and external partners

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements a university-wide strategy for research, innovation, and sponsored programs aligned with institutional priorities
• Identifies high-value funding opportunities and develops a pipeline of significant grant and contract opportunities
• Leads the development of major and complex proposals from concept through submission
• Strengthens faculty capacity and expands faculty and student participation in research and sponsored activities
• Establishes metrics and assesses growth in proposals, awards, external funding, participation, and partnerships
• Oversee the sponsored-project lifecycle in collaboration with the Grants Manager, Fiscal Affairs, and investigators
• Serves as the University’s Authorized Organizational Representative and oversees internal research funding programs
• Provides oversight of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and institutional research compliance
• Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, sponsor, and institutional requirements
• Develops scalable policies, procedures, and systems to support research growth, operational effectiveness, and research integrity
• Supports the mission of the University and serves as an ambassador of the Q2 culture of service excellence
• Models, supports, and holds others accountable to the University’s values
• Leads the Office of Grants and Research Development through a service-oriented approach that supports faculty, staff, students, and University stakeholders
• Provides responsive guidance and support to faculty and investigators throughout the proposal development and sponsored-project lifecycle
• Promotes effective and efficient processes that enhance the experience of faculty, staff, and other stakeholders engaged in research and sponsored programs
• Partners with University leadership and academic units to advance institutional research and innovation priorities
• Convenes and leads interdisciplinary teams to develop significant grant, contract, and research opportunities
• Advises University leadership on funding opportunities, research trends, partnerships, risks, and resource needs
• Communicates research priorities, funding opportunities, requirements, and outcomes effectively across the University
• Collaborates with the Grants Manager, Fiscal Affairs, investigators, faculty, and other University stakeholders to support successful sponsored activities
• Cultivates and maintains relationships with government agencies, research organizations, funding entities, and other external partners
• Builds internal and external partnerships that advance institutional priorities and contribute to measurable growth in research and sponsored funding

Benefits

• Employer-paid tuition benefits for bachelor’s (employee, spouse, and dependent) and master’s degree programs (employee and spouse only)
• Tuition discounts for doctoral programs (employee only)
• Comprehensive benefits plan: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, and retirement options
• Paid holidays: MLK Jr. day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving break (Wednesday – Friday), and winter break (Dec. 23 – Jan. 1)
• Free lunch Fridays: LU employees are eligible for a free meal on Fridays at the Evans Commons Dining Hall or Spellman Dining Hall; Chick-fil-A and Qdoba included
• Professional development opportunities through the Lindenwood Learning Academy

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director