Director of Grant Operations

Duke Careers; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 64,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University seeks a Director of Grant Operations within the Forum for Congregational Life at Duke Divinity School to provide strategic administrative leadership for a portfolio of grant-funded programs. The role oversees project implementation, contractor engagement, financial administration, reporting, and database operations, with funding through December 31, 2028.

You will lead collaboration, leverage data for decision-making, and ensure compliance with university and sponsor requirements

Qualifications

• General business background equivalent to a bachelor's degree.
• 4 years of related business or administrative experience in personnel, accounting and budgeting coordination.
• Master's degree in a business-related field may substitute for 2 years of experience.
• Preference for experience with lay or clergy leadership in congregations.
• Preference for supervision of staff and contractors or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage administration of multiple grant programs from launch to completion.
• Design and improve database structures and operational processes.
• Ensure compliance with university policies and sponsor requirements.
• Prepare financial, operational and programmatic reports for sponsors.
• Analyze grant requests for alignment with program goals and policy.
• Coordinate review and adjudication processes.
• Develop recommendations regarding grant funding decisions.
• Monitor grant activities and support program improvement.
• Recruit, onboard, train, and supervise contractors.
• Build collaborative relationships with peer organizations and external partners.
• Analyze data to identify trends and inform strategic decisions.
• Develop budgets, monitor expenditures, and prepare financial reports.
• Assist with grant proposal development and budget preparation.

Skills

Project management

Financial management

Data analysis

Grant administration

Budgeting

Relationship building

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in business

Tools

Microsoft Office

Airtable

SAP

Job description

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Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As the Director of Grant Operations, you'll play a pivotal role in advancing innovative grant-funded initiatives that strengthen Christian institutions that support congregations. Working within a collaborative team at the Forum for Congregational Life at Duke Divinity School, you'll help steward meaningful programs, build process and information systems to support the programs, and ensure resources are effectively managed to maximize impact.

You will join a mission-driven environment where your expertise in administration, project management, finance, and relationship-building contributes directly to programs that strengthen leadership and foster community transformation.

About the Opportunity

This position reports to the Executive Director for Grants and Services and provides strategic administrative leadership and operational management for a complex portfolio of grant-funded programs. The role oversees project implementation, contractor engagement, financial administration, reporting, communications coordination, and database operations.

This position is fully funded by a sponsored program currently supported through December 31, 2028, as part of a Lilly Endowment-funded intermediary organization within Duke Divinity School.

Be Bold.

As an Director of Grant Operations, you will help shape and strengthen grant initiatives through thoughtful leadership, operational excellence, and effective collaboration.

What You'll Do

• Manage the administration of multiple grant programs and pilot initiatives from launch through completion.
• Design, implement, and improve database information structure and other operational processes that support successful grant program delivery.
• Ensure compliance with Duke University policies and sponsor requirements.
• Prepare and coordinate financial, operational, and programmatic reports for sponsors and stakeholders.

Support Grant Review and Funding Processes

• Analyze grant requests for proposals (RFPs) and applications for alignment with program goals and organizational policy.
• Coordinate review and adjudication processes.
• Develop recommendations regarding grant funding decisions.
• Monitor grant activities and support continuous program improvement.

Manage Contractor and Stakeholder Relationships

• Recruit, onboard, train, and supervise contractors who support events, proposal reviews, and program evaluations.
• Ensure appropriate conflict-of-interest management practices are maintained.
• Evaluate contractor performance and recommend future engagement opportunities.
• Build collaborative relationships with peer organizations and external partners.

Leverage Data for Decision-Making

• Analyze application and program data to identify trends, opportunities, and emerging needs.
• Compare findings against available research and best practices.
• Develop reports and recommendations that inform strategic decision-making.

Oversee Financial and Budget Administration

• Develop budgets, financial projections, and fiscal plans.
• Monitor expenditures and ensure responsible stewardship of program resources.
• Prepare financial reports and support compliance with university and sponsor requirements.
• Assist with grant proposal development, budget preparation, and financial monitoring.

Provide Leadership and Team Support

• Coordinate and supervise assigned staff and contractors.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing work environment.
• Support departmental goals related to employee development, training, and operational excellence.
• Assist with personnel administration and employment-related processes.

Advance Communications and Outreach

• Collaborate with communications leadership to promote grant-funded programs and initiatives.
• Support marketing and engagement strategies that advance program objectives.
• Represent Duke through relationships with peer organizations, foundations, and community partners.

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications

Education

Work requires a general business background, generally equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a business-related field.

Experience

Work requires 4 years of related business or administrative experience to acquire competence in applying general personnel practices, accounting and budgeting principles and coordination of major administrative functions.

A master's degree in a business-related field may be substituted for 2 years of experience.

Strong preference for applicants with experience with lay or clergy leadership in congregations.

Strong preference for applicants with supervision of staff and contractors.OR ANY OTHER EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Skills and Competencies

• Project and program management
• Financial management and budget administration
• Data analysis and reporting
• Grant administration and compliance
• Strategic planning and implementation
• Relationship building and partnership development
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Leadership, coaching, and team development
• Change management and continuous improvement

Technical Skills

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Database management systems, including Airtable
• SAP or comparable enterprise resource planning systems
• Data tracking and reporting tools

Choose Duke.

At Duke, you'll find more than a job. You'll discover a community dedicated to excellence, innovation, collaboration, and belonging. We believe great ideas emerge when individuals with diverse experiences and perspectives come together to solve complex challenges.

As part of Duke Divinity School, you'll contribute to programs that make a meaningful difference in communities while developing your own professional growth within one of the nation's leading universities.

The Forum for Congregational Life is a nationally recognized intermediary organization funded by the Lilly Endowment, entrusted with stewarding major grant initiatives that strengthen congregations, institutions, and ministry leaders. You will work with a passionate, mission driven team and have the opportunity to influence largescale projects that shape Christian institutional life across the United States.

Why Duke?

• Purpose-driven work that creates meaningful impact
• Collaborative and inclusive culture
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Engagement with national partners and community leaders
• Commitment to innovation, excellence, and belonging

Ready to Make a Difference?

Apply now and help support transformational grant initiatives that strengthen leadership, foster collaboration, and create lasting community impact.

Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.

Anticipated Pay Range:

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $63,948.00 to USD $109,786.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goesbeyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender,gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built oncollaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Duke aspires to create a community built oncollaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: [e-mail]; phone: [phone]).

Nearest Major Market: Durham
Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh

Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.