Strategic Director, Grants & Sponsored Programs

Benedictine University; Lisle (IL); On-site; USD 72,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Retirement Plans

Mental Health Support

Tuition Reimbursement

Financial Wellness Advisors

Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

Job summary

Benedictine University is seeking a Director of Grants and Sponsored Programs to lead the university’s external grant efforts. The role focuses on strategic funding, collaborating with faculty and administrators, and coordinating across campuses to secure multi-year awards.

The Director will manage relationships with consultants, supervise proposal development, and ensure compliance with sponsor requirements while advancing institutional priorities and financial sustainability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required; master's preferred.
• Minimum seven years of progressive grant experience or equivalent.
• Experience leading competitive proposals and securing substantial external funding.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an annual grants strategy aligned with university priorities.
• Lead proposal development with faculty, leaders, and external consultants.
• Oversee submission, approvals, and compliance per sponsor requirements.
• Coordinate post-award activities including stewardship, reporting, and renewals.
• Build faculty and staff capacity and maintain a portfolio of multi-year awards.

Skills

Proposal-writing

Relationship-building

Budgeting & analytics

Funding strategy leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Job description

Benedictine University is seeking a Director of Grants and Sponsored Programs to lead the university’s external grant efforts. The role focuses on strategic funding, collaborating with faculty and administrators, and coordinating across campuses to secure multi-year awards.

The Director will manage relationships with consultants, supervise proposal development, and ensure compliance with sponsor requirements while advancing institutional priorities and financial sustainability.