Overview and Responsibilities
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is seeking candidates who are eager to contribute to its Lasallian Catholic mission of awakening, nurturing, and empowering learners to ethical lives of service and leadership. We invite individuals to help transform lives through education, inspired by the Catholic Intellectual Tradition’s quest to understand the human experience through faith and reason and its embrace of all who are dedicated to learning from one another through authentic conversations in search of the truth. We are especially interested in and give preference to candidates who demonstrate a vision to create and nurture initiatives that will advance our mission within the scope of their duties and who will foster a culture of dialogue that, with respect for all people, supports the search for meaning and purpose in pursuit of excellence.
Job Summary
The Director of Grants Management is responsible for the management of grant-seeking and grant-reporting functions for the university. This individual works closely with the university grants team, Advancement colleagues, and university faculty and staff to identify grant opportunities and to develop grant proposals ensuring compliance with federal, state, and private foundation regulations and policies. In addition to fundraising, this position provides writing expertise and support for strategic correspondence produced by the Office of Advancement. The position is well-suited for candidates with exceptional writing and interpersonal skills, as well as experience in non-profit fundraising and communications.
Salary Range: $60,000 – $70,000
Main Duties & Responsibilities
- Grants Management and Proposal Development (75%)
- Research and interpret funding opportunities and requests for proposals from corporate, foundation, and government grant-making programs with potential for supporting university programs.
- Work with the university grants team to confirm that proposed funding applications/proposals align with university fund development priorities, receive proper administrative approval, and comply with the granting organization’s requirements.
- Manage grant consultant partnerships and agreed-upon deliverables.
- Collaborate with university partners to gather information and develop content for grant proposals.
- Review, edit and submit all final grant proposals/applications for submission ensuring all submissions are well-developed, clear, concise and conform with funding program priorities, and are compliant with the funding organization, government, and university policy.
- Oversee the accurate and timely submission of all grant proposals and reports.
- Use the Raiser’s Edge database to document, track, and manage requests, proposals, and awards.
- Maintain a calendar of recurring annual grant proposals and reports, and prepare them for submission.
- Work with the university grants team to build a multi-year planning calendar and expand grant participation and training among faculty and staff.
- Coordinate with the Major Gifts team to support development directors in their relationship building with individuals representing corporations and foundations.
- Support the Advancement team in tracking submission, awards, evaluation and reporting deadlines on the organization’s grant writing system in Raiser’s Edge (e.g., grants submitted, grants accepted) and provide transparent reporting of grants to Advancement and University leadership
- Steward relationships within the university community by attending internal events and presentations, acknowledging the grant successes of others, and distributing grants communication via internal communication channels and the website.
- Develop, review and update external funding policies as needed to meet changing organizational needs and requirements.
- Donor Relations Writing Support (25%)
- Provide support to Benefactor Relations and the Major Gifts team in drafting gift agreements and reviewing and editing proposals.
- Provide support to Benefactor Relations and Advancement Services colleagues on regular updates to receipting and reporting communications.
- Provide writing and editing support for Donor and Alumni Engagement communications.
- Assist with writing projects as assigned by the Assistant Vice President, Advancement.
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Experience and Education Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- 2 years of grant writing and management experience.
- Proficiency with computer and development software (Raiser’s Edge NXT) preferred.
- Experience working in the nonprofit sector required, higher education experience preferred.
- A career history of commitment to the highest professional and ethical standards, including confidentiality.
Essential Knowledge & Skills
- Exceptional writing skills – demonstrated achievement in the creative, effective use of written communication.
- Excellent project management and organization skills.
- An ability to work well with others in a highly collaborative environment.
- Career history of commitment to the highest professional and ethical standards.
- A track record of taking personal responsibility for ensuring high-quality work and associated outcomes.
- A self-reflective and positive disposition with a focus on continuous growth and improvement for self and others.
- Comfort with technology, including Word, Excel, Adobe, and Google suite.
Physical Demands
- Sedentary work. Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like docket files, ledgers, and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.
Physical Hazards – Health and Safety Concerns
- General office environments
Application Requirements
Apply online at https://www.smumn.edu/about/offices-services/human-resources/employment-opportunities/ and include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota believes inclusion and human dignity contributes to a robust academic and work environment and is critical to achieving the University’s mission in an increasingly diverse society. Individuals with expertise and diverse skills from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The successful candidate must support, respect, and advance the mission of Saint Mary’s University as a Lasallian Catholic institution.
Saint Mary’s offers a comprehensive benefit package including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending, retirement pension plan, and both undergraduate and graduate tuition remission plans.
All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.