Director of Grants and Sponsored Programs

Benedictine University • Lisle, IL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Grants and Sponsored Programs leads Benedictine University’s efforts to secure external grant funding that strengthens University finances, advances institutional priorities, supports academic quality and student success, and provides resources for strategically important initiatives. Reporting through Academic Affairs, the Director coordinates grants and sponsored programs across campuses, academic programs, and administrative units. The role develops a proactive funding strategy, cultivates funder relationships, and works with University leaders, faculty, and staff to develop competitive, financially sustainable projects. It also manages external grants consultants and service providers, leads proposal development and submission, and coordinates award stewardship with project leaders, Business and Finance, University Advancement, and designated compliance personnel.

The Director is expected to build and sustain a grant portfolio capable of securing several million dollars in new and renewed awards annually. Opportunities are evaluated for mission and strategic alignment, probability of success, financial contribution, allowable indirect cost recovery, matching requirements, cash-flow implications, and obligations beyond the award period. Performance reflects both funding secured and its financial and programmatic contribution to the University.

The position is full-time and benefit-eligible, based at the Lisle Campus, with an annual rate of $85,000. It reports to the Assistant Provost for Academic Strategy and Growth. The role has no supervisory responsibility and requires no travel. Work takes place under normal office conditions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in grant development, sponsored programs, institutional fundraising, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and demonstrated accomplishments.
• Demonstrated success leading competitive proposals and securing substantial external funding.
• Ability to document specific contributions to major awards and sustained funding results across multiple years.
• Excellent proposal-writing, editing, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to lead an institutional funding strategy, develop fundable projects, cultivate sponsors, and coordinate faculty, staff, partners, and external consultants.
• Strong budgeting and analytical skills, including assessment of financial contribution, matching requirements, cash-flow implications, institutional commitments, and program sustainability.
• Ability to manage a complex funding pipeline, collaboratively establish priorities across University units, and guide proposals from concept through submission and award.
• Knowledge of government, foundation, and corporate funding sources; competitive proposal development; award administration; and funder stewardship.
• Working knowledge of applicable federal grant requirements, including Uniform Guidance, and current electronic submission systems.
• Understanding of grant budgeting, indirect cost recovery, financial reporting, and program evaluation.
• Ability to meet the physical requirements described: regular talking or hearing; frequent standing, walking, handling objects, and reaching; occasional lifting of office products and supplies up to 20 pounds; and possible bending or prolonged sitting.
• Ability to follow campus-specific pandemic protocols.
• Must verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required employment eligibility verification document upon hire.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.
• Experience building or expanding a multimillion-dollar grant portfolio.
• Experience working in higher education.
• Experience directing external grant consultants.
• Relevant advanced training or professional certification in grants development or research administration.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an annual grants strategy aligned with University priorities, financial needs, and growth opportunities; establish annual and multiyear funding goals with the Assistant Provost.
• Build a diversified funding pipeline and cultivate funder relationships using prospect research, funding assessments, and external consulting resources.
• Prioritize opportunities based on strategic and mission alignment, competitiveness, financial contribution, institutional investment, readiness, and long-term obligations.
• Coordinate prospect assignments and solicitations with University Advancement to maintain consistent messaging and route gifts and sponsored awards through appropriate processes.
• Work with faculty, University leaders, and staff to turn institutional priorities and emerging ideas into fundable projects.
• Lead proposal development with project teams and external consultants, setting responsibilities, timelines, and review milestones; support development of narratives, outcomes, budgets, evaluation methods, and sustainability plans.
• Build external partnerships and assess institutional costs and commitments with Business and Finance, project leaders, and affected University units.
• Establish and maintain processes for prioritizing opportunities, resolving competing requests, and obtaining timely institutional decisions on matching funds, staffing, space, and other commitments.
• Ensure consultation with affected units and approval by authorized University officials before proposals are submitted or commitments are made.
• Manage proposal routing, approvals, and sponsor-system submissions; ensure proposals are complete, accurate, and compliant with sponsor requirements.
• Coordinate compliance reviews, maintain proposal records and procedures, and serve as an authorized organizational representative when formally designated.
• Coordinate transitions from proposal development to award implementation, including communication of obligations, responsibilities, deadlines, and deliverables.
• Monitor program progress and support funder communication, amendments, renewals, extensions, and closeout activities.
• Coordinate with Business and Finance on invoicing, reimbursement requests, and periodic financial reporting, tracking sponsor deadlines and gathering required documentation.
• Coordinate with project leaders and designated compliance staff to address concerns and fulfill award requirements.
• Build faculty and staff capacity to identify funding opportunities, develop projects, prepare proposals, and fulfill award responsibilities; coordinate grants resources, consulting, and training.
• Report on awards, grant revenue, financial contribution, institutional investment and continuing obligations, strategic alignment, and program outcomes; distinguish multiyear award value from annual funding and assess progress against goals.
• Use portfolio data and feedback to improve grants processes and evaluate external consultants and service providers.
• Serve as the primary University contact for grants-related questions and coordinate access to external grants consulting support.
• Educate faculty and staff on grant policies and procedures, helping prevent duplicate requests and ensuring institutional commitments are approved before submission.
• Monitor funding trends, tools, and best practices; support interdepartmental data collection and integrity related to proposals, reporting, and program evaluation.
• Maintain the University grants webpage and shared resources, and participate in relevant meetings, professional networks, and events.
• Uphold Benedictine University’s values and advance its mission through professional conduct and engagement with internal and external partners.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and mental health days.
• Retirement savings options.
• Access to counseling and mental well-being resources.
• Tuition reimbursement for education and professional development.
• Personalized financial wellness advice.
• Employee Assistance Programs offering confidential support for personal or work-related challenges.

What This Job Offers

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