Director of Grants Administration

Make a difference at one of Florida's premier institutions for education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Florida Polytechnic University, ranked the No. 1 public college in the region by U.S. News and World Report, offers a unique working environment that encourages faculty and staff to be part of a culture that prizes collaboration, innovation, and the willingness to go above and beyond to ensure our students and University succeed. Florida Poly offers a small campus academic environment where students form connections with their faculty and peers as they pursue high-value degrees in engineering and applied sciences.

The University is equipped with cutting-edge facilities and equipment and two award-winning, architecturally distinct academic buildings. Its evolving curriculum, designed to meet the needs of industry and provide a life-long educational foundation for students, has helped the institution grow in prominence since its opening in 2014. Florida Poly's deliberately small classes, affordability, and outstanding graduate outcomes have helped it earn recognitions such as being named a top value school, in the top 25 nationally for affordability, and in the top five best universities in the South for tech students. Accredited by ABET and SACSCOC, Florida Poly is educating some of the brightest minds in Florida and attracting standout talent from across the nation.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership and Strategy

• Develop and implement a comprehensive grants strategy aligned with the university's mission and academic goals.
• Lead and manage the Grants Administration team, fostering a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, and collaborative teamwork.
• Serve as a key advisor to university leadership on matters related to grants and external funding.

Department Management and Planning

• Accountable and responsible for the management of the day-to-day administration of programmatic grant and sponsored research projects, covering pre-award, post-award, compliance, financial management, external reporting, and audit functions.
• Ensure that issues and disputes are concisely communicated, resolved, and documented.
• Assist in developing long-term organizational strategies, internal policies, business methods, and research infrastructure.

Grants Management

• Oversee the identification, development, and submission of grant proposals.
• Ensure effective management of grant awards from inception to closeout, including financial oversight, compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations, and reporting requirements and then provide ongoing support for programmatic grant and sponsored research projects throughout the entire life cycle of the award.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to provide support and guidance in all aspects of grant activities.
• Offer oversight in award acceptance, expenditure approvals, fiscal management, effort reporting, award amendments, and project closeout responsibilities.
• Ensure that research activities comply with university, local, state, federal, and funding agency regulations, including collaborating with industry or other institutions.

Financial Oversight

• Work closely with the Finance Department to manage grant budgets, ensure fiscal accountability, and optimize the use of grant funds.
• Monitor expenditures and perform regular audits to ensure financial compliance with grantor guidelines.

Funding Opportunities and Stakeholder Engagement

• Identify external funding opportunities and develop strategies to support the University's programmatic needs and its research mission.
• Assisted in preparing, approving, and submitting external proposal documents in compliance with university and sponsor policies.
• Build and maintain relationships with external funding agencies, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Represent the university in negotiations and interactions with funding bodies and external funding agencies.

Compliance, Training, and Capacity Building

• Develop and maintain policies and procedures for grant processes to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, university policies, and award agency requirements.
• Plan and coordinate education and training initiatives for faculty, staff, and students to enhance proposal development skills, grantsmanship, award administration, grant compliance, export control, and responsible conduct of research to ensure compliance and enhance grant-related skills.

Collaborative Workflow, Reporting, and Analysis

• Manage sub-contracts with partnering institutions and track sponsored research applications and results.
• Oversee the smooth transition of awarded projects to post-award administration.
• Develop and provide comprehensive reports on grant activities, outcomes, and impacts to senior leadership and relevant stakeholders.
• Utilize data to analyze trends, measure performance against goals, and inform strategic decision-making.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• In-depth knowledge of grant administration processes, including pre-award, post-award, compliance, and audit functions.
• Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and private funding sources and mechanisms relevant to STEM disciplines.
• Strong understanding of federal, state, and institutional compliance regulations and guidelines.
• Familiarity with financial management practices related to budgeting, fiscal reporting, and grant audit compliance.
• Knowledge of strategic planning techniques and the ability to integrate grant acquisition and management into the university's broader strategic objectives, and experience in developing and implementing strategic initiatives within a grants administration context.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to effectively present information to a variety of audiences.
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams, including direct supervision of professional staff.
• Skilled in negotiation and conflict resolution, particularly in dealing with funding agencies and ensuring the best interests of the university.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to resolve complex issues related to grant administration and research compliance.
• Ability to establish and maintain strong relationships with external funding agencies, partners, and internal stakeholders to support university goals.
• Proficiency in managing multiple projects simultaneously, with attention to detail and the ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to adapt to changing funding landscapes and university priorities, pivoting strategies as necessary to maximize grant success.
• Ability to work effectively with legal counsel, funding agencies, faculty, and staff to negotiate contracts and ensure compliance.
• Ability to design and implement training programs for faculty, staff, and students to enhance research administration skills.
• Strong attention to detail to ensure compliance with policies, regulations, and grant requirements.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration) from an accredited institution of higher education
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in grant administration or a related area.
• Demonstrated experience in managing a team and leading grant-related initiatives.
• Demonstrated knowledge of research administration, including pre-award and post-award processes.
• Strong understanding of compliance regulations at federal, state, and institutional levels.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• In lieu of a degree, any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience, and/or certifications may be considered.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in a related field (e.g., Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration) from an accredited institution of higher education
• Experience in a leadership role within a STEM-focused higher education or research institution
• Familiarity with strategic planning and organizational development.
• Experience with managing teams and developing staff competencies.
• Proven track record of securing significant grant funding.

REQUIRED LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF LAW:

• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• This position requires a criminal background check.
• This position is subject to federal and state privacy regulations.

NORMAL WORK SCHEDULE: This position is salary exempt. The normal work schedule is Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; however, occasional overtime (weekends and evenings) may be required. Travel between campus locations may be required.

TARGET HIRING SALARY: $110,000 - $120,000, commensurate with experience.

APPLICATION DEADLINE DATE: The position may be open for 30 days; however, review of applications will commence immediately.

APPLICATION PROCESS: In addition to completing the online application, all Applicants are required to upload the following as an attachment to the application (preferably in PDF format):

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• List of three references and contact information

DIVERSITY STATEMENT:

Florida Polytechnic University is an equal opportunity/equal access institution. It is the policy of the Board of Trustees to provide equal opportunity for employment and educational opportunities to all (including applicants for employment, employees, applicants for admission, students, and others affiliated with the University) without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or genetic information.

Employment is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. An appointment is not final until proof is provided.

FLORIDA POLY BENEFITS INFORMATION

Florida Poly qualified employees have the opportunity to take advantage of a variety of health benefits (through the State of Florida) to help meet their specific needs, as well as the needs of their family. This comprehensive coverage includes flexible spending accounts, medical and life insurance, and worker's compensation.

Health benefits are administered through People First, on behalf of the State of Florida, as pre-tax insurance plans. People First handles all new hire enrollments, coverage changes, premium administration, and dependent eligibility. Their Service Center is staffed Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. EST, at 1-866-663-4735.

RETIREMENT

Florida Poly offers great options for retirement. From the required selection of a state plan to additional voluntary retirement plans, our employees have many opportunities to save and prepare for their future. Click here for more information.

FLORIDA POLY BENEFITS

• Perks and Discounts
• Annual Leave
  • To help promote work-life balance, Florida Poly provides a generous leave program, which includes paid time off and paid holidays. Qualified employees may accrue 22 days of annual leave. In addition, the University observes the holidays listed in our University Holidays policy FPU-1.008.
• Sick Leave
  • Qualified employees may also accrue 12 days of annual sick leave and participate in our Sick Pool Program.
• Employee Assistant Program (EAP)

EXPLORE LAKELAND FLORIDA

Conveniently located along I-4 between Tampa and Orlando, Lakeland is home to Florida Polytechnic University and many other businesses and attractions. Click here to explore Lakeland, Florida.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING ATTACHMENTS:

Required attachments are listed on each posting. Please be sure to attach all required documents in the Resume/CV field before continuing through the application. Once your application has been submitted, no changes may be made and additional attachments will not be considered.

An unofficial copy of the degree/transcript is acceptable during the application process. For positions requiring a degree, the official transcripts are required upon hire.

Foreign Transcript: Transcripts issued outside of the United States require a equivalency statement from a certified transcript evaluation service verifying the degree equivalency to that of an accredited institution within the USA. This report must be attached with the application and submitted by the application deadline.

All document(s) must be received on or before the closing date of the job announcements.

This position requires a background check, which may include a level II screening as required by the Florida Statute*435.04.