Grants Specialist - Lead

University of Nebraska–Lincoln; Nebraska; Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Comprehensive insurance options

Robust retirement plans

Employee scholarship programs

Job summary

University of Nebraska-Lincoln is seeking a Grants Specialist-Lead to serve as a trusted resource for faculty and departments, guiding the sponsored research proposal process from development to submission. This role focuses on compliance, policy guidance, and timely financial coordination across projects.

After a six-month onsite training period, a hybrid schedule with up to one remote day per week may be available, subject to supervisor approval and operational needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus 4 years of related experience in grants administration, proposal development, finance, or a related field.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
• Experience working with SAP or another large integrated financial system.
• Strong computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite or similar software, including Excel for data analysis and reporting.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive information in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and university policies.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build positive, collaborative relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize work, manage multiple deadlines, and adapt in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Partnering with faculty and departments to support the successful development and submission of sponsored research proposals.
• Providing consultative guidance on grants administration policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Coordinating proposal budgets, documentation, submissions, and grant startup activities.
• Collaborating with university partners to deliver exceptional service and promote effective, compliant research administration.
• Ensuring that records are maintained according to policy.
• Supervising employees by providing work direction, coaching, training, and mentoring to support employee development and ensure consistent, accurate, and timely completion of responsibilities.
• Supporting sponsored research through post-award grant financial management and administration.
• Assisting with training new staff members.
• Reviewing and coordinating complex financial activities, including travel, contracts, journal entries, accounts receivable, capital assets, and other financial transactions.
• Supporting unit leadership in budget analysis, preparing reports and identifying potential areas of concern.

Skills

Grants administration

Proposal development

Finance

SAP experience

Excel data analysis

Microsoft Office

Confidentiality

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Office Suite

Excel

Job description

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Employment Website

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Position Information

Position Information

Working Title

Department

Department College of Engineering-0907

Requisition Number

Requisition Number S_260650

Posting Open Date

Posting Open Date 08/17/2026

Application Review Date: (To ensure consideration, please submit all application materials before review date)

Application Review Date: (To ensure consideration, please submit all application materials before review date) 08/31/2026

Posting Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Description of Work

As a Grants Specialist-Lead, you will serve as a trusted resource to faculty and departments, providing expert guidance and support throughout the sponsored research proposal process.

Responsibilities include:

• Partnering with faculty and departments to support the successful development and submission of sponsored research proposals.
• Providing consultative guidance on grants administration policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Coordinating proposal budgets, documentation, submissions, and grant startup activities.
• Collaborating with university partners to deliver exceptional service and promote effective, compliant research administration.
• Ensuring that records are maintained according to policy.
• Supervising employees by providing work direction, coaching, training, and mentoring to support employee development and ensure consistent, accurate, and timely completion of responsibilities.
• Supporting sponsored research through post-award grant financial management and administration.
• Assisting with training new staff members.
• Reviewing and coordinating complex financial activities, including travel, contracts, journal entries, accounts receivable, capital assets, and other financial transactions.
• Supporting unit leadership in budget analysis, preparing reports and identifying potential areas of concern.

Following an initial onsite training period of up to six months, this position may becomeeligible for a hybrid work schedule with up to 1 remote day(s) per week. All hybrid arrangements are subject to supervisor approval and are determined based on operational needs.

Note: Sponsorship will not be offered for this position.

About Us

At the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, we’re proud to be consistently recognized by Forbes as a top employer and recently earned the Lincoln Family Friendly Workplace certification. We are known for our welcoming, supportive environment, commitment to professional growth, and outstanding benefits. UNL isn’t just a workplace; it’s a place to build your career and make a meaningful impact in Nebraska.

When you join our team as a full-time, regular staff member, you’ll enjoy:

• Generous paid time off including vacation, sick leave, parental leave, and holidays
• Comprehensive insurance options including medical, dental, vision, and life coverage
• Employee and dependent scholarship programs to pursue higher education
• Robust retirement plans with university match

the University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. See https://go.unl.edu/nondiscrimination

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus (4) years of related experience in grants administration, proposal development, finance, or a related field. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
• Experience working with SAP or another large integrated financial system.
• Strong computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite or similar software, including Excel for data analysis and reporting.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive information in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and university policies.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build positive, collaborative relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize work, manage multiple deadlines, and adapt in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

We seek an experienced professional with strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and a collaborative approach. The ideal candidate builds strong relationships, provides excellent service, and confidently communicates difficult decisions when needed.

Pre-Placement Driving Record Review Required

Pre-Placement Driving Record Review Required No

Physical Required

Physical Required No

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) required. Subject to DOT approved pre-employment & random testing for alcohol and controlled substances.

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) required. Subject to DOT approved pre-employment & random testing for alcohol and controlled substances. No

Criminal History Background Check Required

Criminal History Background Check Required Yes