Associate Director of College Grants and Sponsored Programs

Union College’s Office of College Grants and Sponsored Programs works with key campus stakeholders to secure state, federal and foundation grants to support faculty research and broader institutional initiatives. The Associate Director works independently and in consultation with the Director to manage the College’s sponsored programs and foundation relations operations, with an emphasis on the pre- and non-financial post-award administration of foundation grants for institutional initiatives.

Position Purpose:

Union College’s Office of College Grants and Sponsored Programs works with key campus stakeholders to secure state, federal and foundation grants to support faculty research and broader institutional initiatives. The Grants Office typically manages a portfolio of ~50 active grants with a total award value of ~$10 million. The Associate Director works independently and in consultation with the Director to manage the College’s sponsored programs and foundation relations operations, with an emphasis on the pre- and non-financial post-award administration of foundation grants for institutional initiatives.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties:

• Supports Director in the full range of areas of office responsibility, including:
  
  • Promoting grant-seeking initiative and capacity among faculty
    
    
  • Proposal and budget development and submission
    
    
  • Managing award negotiations, including budget revisions and addressing reviewer comments
    
    
  • Implementing non-financial post-award administration
    
    
  • Performing prospect research
    
    
• Contributes to the cultivation and maintenance of relationships with key foundations
  
  
• Participates in the New York Six Consortium Grants Officer Working Group as Union’s primary expert in foundation relations.
  
  
• Engages with professional networks and associations to stay informed, share, and apply best practices for pre- and post-award grant administration.
  
  
• Contributes ideas, input, and support to College Grants and Sponsored Programs initiatives, decisions, and communications.
  
  

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with five years related experience, preferably in higher education; and/or a combination of relevant education, training, certifications, and/or work experience.
  
  
• Exceptional written, verbal, proofreading and editing skills.
  
  
• Demonstrated success in writing grant proposals and preparing grant applications.
  
  
• Proven success in managing a diverse portfolio of grant awards.
  
  
• Evidence of active engagement in professional associations and networks.
  
  
• Demonstrated knowledge of Uniform Guidance.
  
  
• Familiarity with financial management principles and grant accounting practices.
  
  
• Extensive literacy regarding proposal development, sponsor application requirements, grant and contract regulations, grantee compliance considerations, and policies.
  
  
• Demonstrated ability to support, guide and direct faculty and staff stakeholders in developing grant application materials.
  
  
• Knowledge of institutional resources and external data repositories in order to extract, analyze, and interpret data on graduation, retention, and persistence rates as well as demographic data.
  
  
• Proven ability to problem-solve, consistently produce high-quality work, adeptly manage competing priorities, and stay customer-focused in a goal-oriented, deadline-driven, collaborative team environment.
  
  
• Intermediate to expert knowledge in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher (or other publishing software), website maintenance, financial management systems, and fundraising data management systems.
  
  
• Additional requirements include the ability to: work quietly in shared office space, perform duties without administrative assistant support, participate in occasional overnight/multiple day travel, and attend some evening and weekend events.
  
  
• Must be safety conscious and able to work with a diverse group of individuals.
  
  
• The ability to foster and enhance a thriving, culturally diverse, and inclusive learning community, while promoting a sense of belonging among students, alumni, faculty, and staff colleagues.
  
  
• Able to anticipate, deliver on, and exceed the expectations of faculty and fellow staff colleagues.
  
  
• Able to introduce and drive innovation in ways small and large.
  
  
• Able to proactively identify and pursue relevant learning and professional development opportunities and apply new knowledge, insights, and skills to enhance results.
  
  

We know some job seekers may not apply for career opportunities unless they meet every qualification in the position description including the preferred qualifications. We are most interested in hiring the best staff and faculty colleagues, and recognize that a successful candidate may come from a less traditional career path. We encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of our preferred qualifications.

Compensation:

The annual salary range for this position is $67,000-$82,000.

Except for roles with a set rate of pay, the wage/salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The stated hiring rate/range represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the rate/range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

We know some job seekers may not apply for career opportunities unless they meet every qualification in the position description including the preferred qualifications. We are most interested in hiring the best staff and faculty colleagues, and recognize that a successful candidate may come from a less traditional career path. We encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of our preferred qualifications.

We offer exceptional benefits including:

• Generous Vacation, Sick, and Personal Time
  
  
• Winter Recess Break in Addition to Paid Holidays
  
  
• Healthcare, Dental, and Vision Insurance (Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts)
  
  
• Free On-Campus Fitness Facility Access and Discounts for On-Campus Wellness Programs
  
  
• Employee Scholarships toward Certifications, Seminars, Training and Professional Development
  
  
• Pre and Post Tax participation in a 403(b) Retirement Plan
  
  
• Salary Continuation Program in the event of Disability
  
  
• Tuition Assistance Program for Employee, Spouse and/or Dependents
  
  

Background Checks: In accordance with our background check policy , finalists for hire will undergo a background check that includes education, employment, and criminal convictions.

E-Verify Participation: Union College participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify and your Right to Work (Derecho a Trabajar) .