Job Description

Position Summary Winston‑Salem State University’s Office of Advancement is hiring for a Grants Manager. The Grants Manager is a strategic, action‑oriented leader within the Division of University Advancement. A successful Grant Manager will be a proactive and collaborative member of this dynamic team and a champion for the university’s highest funding priorities. Reporting to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Advancement, the Grants Manager is a central driver of institutional revenue, responsible for development, writing, and post‑award management of philanthropic grants. This position works closely with the Director of Corporate and Foundation Engagement to secure funding from private foundations and corporate philanthropies, and collaborates with the Senior Director of Development to support major gift strategies involving family foundations. Job Duties & Responsibilities Grant Writing & Proposal Development (40%) Serve as the lead writer and project manager for all Advancement‑driven grant applications, letters of inquiry (LOIs), and proposal narratives. Partner with the Director of Corporate and Foundation Engagement to translate outward‑facing funder cultivation strategies into highly competitive grant submissions, ensuring alignment with corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals and foundation priorities. Collaborate with the Senior Director of Development and the major gifts team to draft tailored proposals and narratives for high‑net‑worth individuals utilizing family foundations or complex donor‑advised funds. Maintain a centralized calendar of philanthropic grant deadlines, ensuring all required materials are assembled and submitted well in advance. Post‑Award Management & Compliance (25%) Act as the primary Advancement liaison to departmental grant recipients (Project Directors) to ensure grant funds are utilized efficiently and in strict adherence to private funder guidelines. Partner closely with the Senior Director of Advancement Services and their team to track grant expenditures, process incoming foundation funds accurately, and ensure financial drawdowns align with the approved grant budget. Proactively identify and resolve potential compliance issues, budget variances, or project delays, advising the Assistant Vice Chancellor and departmental leadership on necessary course corrections. Research Innovation & Sponsored Programs Collaboration (20%) Coordinate with the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) to ensure seamless coordination between philanthropic giving and federal/state research funding. Collaborate with OSP to navigate institutional routing processes and ensure that hybrid proposals involving faculty research meet all university compliance standards prior to submission. Work closely with academic Deans, faculty, and Principal Investigators to gather necessary data, budgets, and programmatic details required for complex proposals with a dual research and programmatic focus. Impact Reporting & Stewardship (15%) Take the lead on drafting and submitting all required interim and final grant reports to corporate and foundation funders, ensuring narrative and financial data accurately reflect the project’s success. Work in tandem with the Advancement Services team to integrate grant outcomes into broader donor stewardship plans, ensuring accurate impact reporting and appropriate recognition for corporate and foundation partners. Work closely with grant recipients to capture qualitative data, success metrics, and human‑interest stories related to the funded projects, translating these outcomes into compelling stewardship materials that demonstrate WSSU’s ROI. Requirements Education: A bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Public Administration, Business, or a related field. Experience: A minimum of 3–5 years of progressive experience in grant writing, grant management, or corporate and foundation relations. Proven Track Record: Demonstrable success in researching, writing, and securing complex, five‑ and six‑figure grants from private foundations, corporate philanthropies, and government entities. Federal Grants Experience: Familiarity with major foundation grant cycle processes and federal grant compliance and funding regulations is highly desirable. Writing & Communication: Exceptional technical writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with the ability to translate complex academic or programmatic jargon into clear, compelling narratives for external funders. Financial Acumen: Strong proficiency in grant budget development, financial tracking, and post‑award reporting. Ability to understand and reconcile project budgets against general ledger reports. Project Management: Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple overlapping grant cycles, deadlines, and compliance requirements simultaneously. Preferred Qualifications Education: An advanced degree is preferred. Higher Education Context: Experience working within a higher‑education advancement office, university research office, or a complex non‑profit environment. Research Collaboration: Previous experience bridging the gap between philanthropic giving and academic/faculty research, including working with a Provost’s Office or Office of Sponsored Programs. Technical Proficiency: Experience utilizing prospect research tools (e.g., Instrumentl, Foundation Directory Online, GrantStation, etc.) and advancement CRM databases (e.g., Blackbaud CRM, Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, etc.). Mission Alignment: A demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the mission of higher education and Winston‑Salem State University’s strategic priorities. Personal Attributes Self‑starter with a high degree of initiative, curiosity, and independence. Strategic thinker with a collaborative mindset. Strong integrity, discretion, and commitment to confidentiality. Willingness to travel regionally and nationally, and to work occasional evenings and weekends for donor engagement. Compensation Salary: $72,000–$80,000; commensurate with education and experience. #J-18808-Ljbffr

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