Director, Grants and Research Development

Lindenwood; United States; On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition benefits

Tuition discounts

Comprehensive benefits

Paid holidays

Free lunch Fridays

Professional development

Job summary

Lindenwood University in the United States seeks a Director of Grants and Research Development to provide strategic leadership to expand the university’s research, scholarship, creative activity, innovation, and sponsored programs.

Working with university leadership, faculty, students, and external partners, the director strengthens the university’s research enterprise and expands opportunities for externally funded research.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a research focused field or related discipline.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in research, sponsored programs, research administration, research development, or a related higher education or research environment.
• Demonstrated experience supporting externally funded research, sponsored projects, and/or investigators pursuing external funding.
• Demonstrated success in securing competitive grants, contracts, or external funding.
• Working knowledge of research compliance, research ethics, and the regulatory environment applicable to university research.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically while also managing hands-on operational responsibilities in a developing organization.
• Strong leadership, communication, collaboration, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with faculty, institutional leaders, students, and external partners

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements a university-wide strategy for research, innovation, and sponsored programs aligned with institutional priorities.
• Identifies high-value funding opportunities and develops a pipeline of significant grant and contract opportunities.
• Leads the development of major and complex proposals from concept through submission.
• Strengthens faculty capacity and expands faculty and student participation in research and sponsored activities.
• Establishes metrics and assesses growth in proposals, awards, external funding, participation, and partnerships.
• Oversee the sponsored-project lifecycle in collaboration with the Grants Manager, Fiscal Affairs, and investigators.
• Serves as the University’s Authorized Organizational Representative and oversees internal research funding programs.
• Provides oversight of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and institutional research compliance.
• Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, sponsor, and institutional requirements.
• Develops scalable policies, procedures, and systems to support research growth, operational effectiveness, and research integrity

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Proposal development

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Education

Master’s degree in a research focused field or related discipline

Job description

Benefits of Being a Lindenwood Employee

• Upon hire, employer-paid tuition benefits for bachelor’s (employee, spouse, and dependent) and master’s degree programs (employee and spouse only).
• Tuition discounts for doctoral programs (employee only).
• Comprehensive benefits plan: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, and retirement options.
• Paid holidays: MLK Jr. day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving break (Wednesday – Friday), and winter break (Dec. 23 – Jan. 1).
• Free lunch Fridays: LU employees are eligible for a free meal on Fridays at the Evans Commons Dining Hall or Spellman Dining Hall; Chick-fil-A and Qdoba included.
• Professional development opportunities through the Lindenwood Learning Academy.

JOB TITLE SUMMARY

• Job Title: Director, Grants and Research Development
• Division: Academic Affairs
• Evaluation Group: Staff
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Reports To: Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs
• Positions Supervised: N/A

Job Summary

The director, grants and research development provides strategic and entrepreneurial leadership to expand Lindenwood University’s research, scholarship, creative activity, innovation, and sponsored programs. Working with University leadership, faculty, students, and external partners, the Director strengthens the University’s research enterprise, expands opportunities for faculty and students, and advances institutional capacity for externally funded research. A primary responsibility is increasing the University’s success in securing grants and contracts by identifying high-value funding opportunities, developing competitive proposals, building partnerships, and cultivating relationships with government agencies, foundations, industry, and other sponsors.

Essential Job Functions and Performance Indicators

The intent of this job description is to provide a representation of the types of duties and level of responsibility that will be required of positions given this title. This job description shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Job Responsibilities and Execution

• Develops and implements a university-wide strategy for research, innovation, and sponsored programs aligned with institutional priorities
• Identifies high-value funding opportunities and develops a pipeline of significant grant and contract opportunities
• Leads the development of major and complex proposals from concept through submission
• Strengthens faculty capacity and expands faculty and student participation in research and sponsored activities
• Establishes metrics and assesses growth in proposals, awards, external funding, participation, and partnerships
• Oversee the sponsored-project lifecycle in collaboration with the Grants Manager, Fiscal Affairs, and investigators
• Serves as the University’s Authorized Organizational Representative and oversees internal research funding programs
• Provides oversight of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and institutional research compliance
• Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, sponsor, and institutional requirements
• Develops scalable policies, procedures, and systems to support research growth, operational effectiveness, and research integrity

Service Excellence

Supports the mission of the University and serves as an ambassador of the Q2 culture of service excellence. Models, supports, and holds others accountable to the University’s values. Leads the Office of Grants and Research Development through a service-oriented approach that supports faculty, staff, students, and University stakeholders. Provides responsive guidance and support to faculty and investigators throughout the proposal development and sponsored-project lifecycle. Promotes effective and efficient processes that enhance the experience of faculty, staff, and other stakeholders engaged in research and sponsored programs undefined.

Communication, Teamwork, and Collaboration

Partners with University leadership and academic units to advance institutional research and innovation priorities. Convenes and leads interdisciplinary teams to develop significant grant, contract, and research opportunities. Advises University leadership on funding opportunities, research trends, risks, and resource needs. Communicates research priorities, funding opportunities, requirements, and outcomes effectively across the University. Collaborates with the Grants Manager, Fiscal Affairs, investigators, faculty, and other University stakeholders to support successful sponsored activities. Cultivates and maintains relationships with government agencies, research organizations, funding entities, and other external partners. Builds internal and external partnerships that advance institutional priorities and contribute to measurable growth in research and sponsored funding.

Job may require other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications – An equivalent combination of education, training and experience will be considered.

• Master’s degree in a research focused field or related discipline
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in research, sponsored programs, research administration, research development, or a related higher education or research environment
• Demonstrated experience supporting externally funded research, sponsored projects, and/or investigators pursuing external funding
• Demonstrated success in securing competitive grants, contracts, or external funding
• Working knowledge of research compliance, research ethics, and the regulatory environment applicable to university research
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically while also managing hands‑on operational responsibilities in a developing organization
• Strong leadership, communication, collaboration, project management, and problem‑solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with faculty, institutional leaders, students, and external partners

Work Environment – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of this job’s functions.

Please click here to view Lindenwood University’s flexible work designation descriptions. General office setting Non-standard flex Physical Abilities – The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform this job’s essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Ability to work effectively at a computer for up to eight hours daily Ability to sit for extended periods of time Ability to lift or carry items typically found in an office environment, such as documents or a laptop, usually up to 10-20 pounds Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Lindenwood University is an Equal Opportunity employer. The University complies with appropriate federal, state, and local laws and provides equal employment opportunities and access to educational programs without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other protected status to all qualified applicants and employees. Lindenwood University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and dedicated to providing a positive discrimination-free educational work environment. The Human Resources Division's purpose is to support the University's efforts in providing a quality education and experience for all Lindenwood students. We achieve this by facilitating and supporting the selection and retention of highly qualified and diverse employees to serve our students and by providing for the professional success and the personal wellness of our employees.