Associate Director of Sponsored Research - Wentworth Institute of Technology

Job Description

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Sponsored Research plays a crucial role in securing funding for the Division of Academic Affairs at the Wentworth Institute of Technology. The purpose of the Director of Sponsored Research position is to coordinate projects and proposals to ensure excellence in proposal submissions and execution. This position will be reporting to the Provost and will be responsible for working closely with program managers to identify funding opportunities, develop compelling grant proposals, and ensure compliance with grant requirements. The Associate Director of Sponsored Research will be responsible for working closely with all schools and units of the Academic Affairs Division to improve services (pre-award and post-award) available to principal investigators with direct assistance in organizing and developing complex research proposals in areas of strategic interest to Academic Affairs and Wentworth.

The major roles of this position involve:

Grant Research and Identification:

1. Conduct research to identify potential grant opportunities from government agencies, foundations, and other sources.
2. Collaboration with agencies, industry, government, private foundations, and Wentworth academic and non-academic units to identify new fundable projects supporting the Division of Academic Affairs units and Wentworth strategic plan.
3. Evaluate grant guidelines and eligibility criteria to determine alignment with Academic Affairs mission and programs.
4. Collaborate with program managers to gather information and data necessary for proposal development.

Relationship Building:

1. Cultivate relationships with grantors, program officers, and funding agencies.
2. Attend meetings and conferences to stay informed about funding opportunities and trends in grantmaking.

Proposal Development:

1. Advise faculty of opportunities for new grant development initiatives and innovations and assist them with grant development and writing of proposals to secure privately and publicly funded grants which will support their research, general operations, and capital projects.
2. Organize and manage writing teams around proposals of strategic importance to Wentworth, working closely with faculty and staff across multiple schools and units.
3. Be a source of grant development and help to educate faculty members about grants and advise faculty of opportunities for new grant development initiatives and innovations and provide training and instruction in grant writing and related topics.
4. Work closely with principal investigators to write and prepare grant proposals, including detailed narratives, budgets, and supporting documents.
5. Ensure that proposals are compelling, well-structured, and tailored to the specific requirements of each grantor.

Grant Management:

1. Manage the development of complex proposals, often involving multiple areas of Wentworth and numerous external partners.
2. Help with writing and editing of proposals prior to submission, particularly of non-technical sections of grant proposals, ensuring the highest standards of quality in writing and will require exceptional editing skills.
3. Track and manage grant applications, deadlines, and reporting requirements.
4. Maintain accurate records of all grant-related activities, including grant status, submission dates, and outcomes.
5. Work closely with principal investigators to prepare and submit timely grant reports and updates to grantors as required.

Compliance and Reporting:

1. Ensure compliance with Academic Affairs External Grants approval process, grant agreements and reporting requirements.
2. Provide the post-award support necessary to manage awarded grants.
3. Work with finance to monitor grant expenditures and budgetary compliance.

Grant Strategy:

1. Assist in developing and implementing the organization's grant strategy and fundraising goals.

Qualifications:

1. Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., communication, research administration, business, or a related discipline) is required, with a preference for candidates holding a Ph.D. degree.
2. Proven experience in grant writing and development, preferably in the nonprofit sector.
3. Strong research and analytical skills.
4. Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and sponsor regulations governing research grants and contracts (e.g., NIH, NSF, USDA, DOE).
5. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
6. Strong leadership experience, with a proven ability to manage and oversee complex projects.
7. Experience working with electronic research administration systems.
8. Attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.
9. Familiarity with grant databases and fundraising software is a plus.

Inclusive Excellence at Wentworth
Wentworth Institute of Technology is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all University programs and activities. The University does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, genetic information, gender identity, veteran status or any other category protected by law. All qualified applicants will receive consideration.

To find out more about the Wentworth’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, please visit the website https://wit.edu/about/diversity

All applicants have the right to accessibility support and accommodations. To request accessibility support or accommodations, contact the Executive Director of Equity and Compliance, Catlin Wells, at wellsc1@wit.edu

E-Verify for Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9)

Wentworth participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an internet-based system that compares information from your Form I-9 to records available to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.