Grants Manager and Resource Specialist

Carlow University•Pittsburgh, PA

18d

About The Position

Carlow University is currently accepting applications for our Grants Manager and Resource Specialist position. The Grants Manager and Resource Specialist is an important role in the College of Education and Social Work. Working as a member of the Rae Ann Hirsh Apprenticeship Team within the Education Department, this person is responsible for identifying, securing, managing, and tracking funding opportunities that advance the mission and strategic goals of the College of Education & Social Work. This position ensures that all aspects of grants and scholarship programs are effectively administered—from proposal development through compliance, reporting, and impact assessment. The successful candidate will be highly organized, detail-oriented, and collaborative, with the ability to manage complex information systems and support both institutional and student-focused funding initiatives. This role is central to cultivating a culture of philanthropy, accountability, and stewardship consistent with Carlow’s Mercy values and its commitment to innovation and educational excellence.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred (Education, Business, Nonprofit Management, Communications, or related field).
Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in grants management, resource development, or project management, preferably in higher education or nonprofit sectors.
Proven track record in managing grants and scholarships.
Strong organizational and recordkeeping skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
Demonstrated ability to create accurate reports and maintain detailed documentation.
Excellent writing, analytical, and communication skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Excel
Commitment to the mission, values, and Mercy heritage of Carlow University.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing student-centered grants or scholarship programs.
Familiarity with federal and state education grants and reporting (e.g., PDO, PDE, Title programs, NSF, or foundation-based funding).
Knowledge of compliance standards such as OMB Uniform Guidance.
Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative spirit.

Responsibilities

Grant Development and Management Research, identify, and evaluate grant opportunities from federal, state, local, and private funders that align with institutional and college priorities.
With PIs, coordinate and prepare competitive proposals—including narratives, budgets, and supporting documentation—in collaboration with additional faculty, staff, and college leadership.
Coordinate, as needed ,with the offices of Finance, Student Accounts, Advancement, and Compliance to ensure adherence to funder and institutional policies.
Manage all aspects of awarded grants, including budgeting, expense monitoring, and compliance.
Ensure all grant and scholarship reporting is completed accurately and on schedule, including interim, annual, and final reports.
Maintain detailed grant files, financial documentation, and correspondence in accordance with institutional and funder requirements.
Develop and maintain a centralized grants tracking and documentation system.
Education Grant and Scholarship Administration Manage all aspects of the Education Grant and Scholarship system, including eligibility verification, application processing, award notifications, fund disbursement coordination, and ongoing compliance.
Track student grant recipient progress to ensure alignment with academic benchmarks, retention goals, and donor expectations.
Collaborate with the Director of Financial Aid to establish a process for awarding scholarships and grants in a timely manner.
Collaborate with academic advisors and student services to support grant recipients’ success and communicate outcomes to donors or sponsors.
Prepare reports summarizing student progress, scholarship impact, and overall program effectiveness for internal and external stakeholders.
Resource Development and Stewardship Coordinate internal mini-grant, faculty development, and innovation funding programs.
Support donor stewardship efforts by documenting outcomes, collecting testimonials, and sharing success stories with College leadership, Advancement, and Marketing.
Manage and coordinate departmental data collection processes, leveraging appropriate software tools, and collaborating closely with IT to ensure accuracy and efficiency.
Training and Capacity Building Offer workshops and one-on-one support for grant writing, proposal development, and best practices in grant management.
Develop templates, guides, and training materials to promote consistency and quality in all submissions.
Foster a collaborative culture of resourcefulness and innovation within the college and broader Carlow community.