Inside Higher Ed
Director of Sponsored Research and Foundation Grants
Inside Higher Ed, Northampton, Massachusetts, us, 01061
Director of Sponsored Research and Foundation Grants
Position overview and essential context are described in the original posting. This role reports to the Provost and Dean of Faculty and is responsible for identifying, realizing, and stewarding grant and foundation opportunities aligned with Smith’s strategic plan and priority needs. The director collaborates with Alumnae Relations and Development, Finance and Administration, academic and co-curricular departments, centers and programs to secure funding for curricular and co-curricular initiatives, research, scholarly activities, capital projects, and programmatic operations. The role includes pre- and post-award management and compliance, and engagement with trustees, alumnae, parents, and community members to identify foundation and corporate opportunities. The position also supports a diverse and inclusive work environment. Responsibilities
Strategy and Program Leadership: Cultivate vision and strategic roadmaps for institutional grants by identifying funding sources, assessing alignment with institutional priorities, and coordinating with stakeholders on implementation plans. Serve on campus-wide strategic planning committees to advance curricular and co-curricular initiatives; liaise with centers such as the Science Center, the Kahn Liberal Arts Institute, and the Smith Office for the Arts to secure fundraising opportunities for key investments (e.g., global citizenship, arts initiatives, human rights-centered leadership). Coordinate with major centers including the Center for Environment, Ecological Design and Sustainability; Jandon Center for Community Engagement; Jill Ker Conway Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center; Wurtele Center for Leadership; Lewis Center for Global Studies; and Lazarus Career for Career Development. Participate as an active member of the Advancement Directors group to support philanthropic and alumnae engagement efforts. Collaborate with the Offices of the Provost, Finance and Administration, and Alumnae Relations and Development to create cross-functional goals. Facilitate meetings and information sessions with partners to align new and ongoing programs with potential funding sources. Program Administration: Cultivate and manage a portfolio of corporate, foundation, and governmental grant opportunities; engage in financial planning and assess budget implications of grant activities. Manage departmental budget; contribute to annual fundraising strategy and goals with partners in the Provost and Dean of Faculty, Alumni Relations and Development, and Finance and Administration. Develop and implement procedures to ensure compliance with grantor requirements (fiscal management, reporting, record retention, monitoring, site visits, financial analysis); ensure team remains current on state/federal regulations, compliance requirements, and college policies. Oversee grant administration training for stakeholders; provide senior-level grant writing support with cabinet-level partners to develop competitive proposals and manage RFP opportunities; coordinate work with principal investigators. Oversee the preparation of acknowledgement letters and other grant-related correspondence for key administrators and faculty. Departmental Leadership: Lead a coordinated team that supports principal investigators and funding targets; organize offices to maximize impact on educational mission, curricular innovation, and strategic priorities. Direct hiring, coaching, and performance decisions with HR support; make resource and priority decisions and address conflicts to maintain a positive work environment; communicate expectations and align with department goals. Other Functions: Promote diversity and inclusion within the workforce; perform other duties as assigned; regular travel required. Minimum Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s Degree. Experience: 10-12 years of professional experience in grant writing and grant development across a range of funding opportunities, with preference for higher education settings; 5 years of leadership experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Skills
Inspirational leadership; innovative, entrepreneurial thinking Strong grant writing ability across sciences, arts, and humanities Deep understanding of the grant lifecycle (pre-award to post-award) Knowledge of foundation, corporate, and government funding sources Project management and execution skills Familiarity with grant tracking and reporting tools; excellent interpersonal communication Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities; commitment to continuous learning Preferred Qualifications
Advanced degree Experience in a higher education environment Required
In addition to a cover letter and resume, applicants must submit a writing sample (e.g., a grant proposal, a grant solicitation, or other material demonstrating ability to craft persuasive language). Attach BOTH a current resume and a cover letter. Ensure all attachments are provided before submitting; additional files cannot be attached after submitting. Applications are reviewed as they are received, with the review beginning on October 22, 2025. About Smith College: Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women’s colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. The College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination. Smith College is committed to equity and inclusion and provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with ADA and Massachusetts law. Type: Regular; Employment type: Full-time; Seniority level: Director; Job function: Research, Analysis, and Information Technology; Industries: Online Audio and Video Media. This posting contains other job listings and location details that are not part of this role and are omitted here for clarity.
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Position overview and essential context are described in the original posting. This role reports to the Provost and Dean of Faculty and is responsible for identifying, realizing, and stewarding grant and foundation opportunities aligned with Smith’s strategic plan and priority needs. The director collaborates with Alumnae Relations and Development, Finance and Administration, academic and co-curricular departments, centers and programs to secure funding for curricular and co-curricular initiatives, research, scholarly activities, capital projects, and programmatic operations. The role includes pre- and post-award management and compliance, and engagement with trustees, alumnae, parents, and community members to identify foundation and corporate opportunities. The position also supports a diverse and inclusive work environment. Responsibilities
Strategy and Program Leadership: Cultivate vision and strategic roadmaps for institutional grants by identifying funding sources, assessing alignment with institutional priorities, and coordinating with stakeholders on implementation plans. Serve on campus-wide strategic planning committees to advance curricular and co-curricular initiatives; liaise with centers such as the Science Center, the Kahn Liberal Arts Institute, and the Smith Office for the Arts to secure fundraising opportunities for key investments (e.g., global citizenship, arts initiatives, human rights-centered leadership). Coordinate with major centers including the Center for Environment, Ecological Design and Sustainability; Jandon Center for Community Engagement; Jill Ker Conway Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center; Wurtele Center for Leadership; Lewis Center for Global Studies; and Lazarus Career for Career Development. Participate as an active member of the Advancement Directors group to support philanthropic and alumnae engagement efforts. Collaborate with the Offices of the Provost, Finance and Administration, and Alumnae Relations and Development to create cross-functional goals. Facilitate meetings and information sessions with partners to align new and ongoing programs with potential funding sources. Program Administration: Cultivate and manage a portfolio of corporate, foundation, and governmental grant opportunities; engage in financial planning and assess budget implications of grant activities. Manage departmental budget; contribute to annual fundraising strategy and goals with partners in the Provost and Dean of Faculty, Alumni Relations and Development, and Finance and Administration. Develop and implement procedures to ensure compliance with grantor requirements (fiscal management, reporting, record retention, monitoring, site visits, financial analysis); ensure team remains current on state/federal regulations, compliance requirements, and college policies. Oversee grant administration training for stakeholders; provide senior-level grant writing support with cabinet-level partners to develop competitive proposals and manage RFP opportunities; coordinate work with principal investigators. Oversee the preparation of acknowledgement letters and other grant-related correspondence for key administrators and faculty. Departmental Leadership: Lead a coordinated team that supports principal investigators and funding targets; organize offices to maximize impact on educational mission, curricular innovation, and strategic priorities. Direct hiring, coaching, and performance decisions with HR support; make resource and priority decisions and address conflicts to maintain a positive work environment; communicate expectations and align with department goals. Other Functions: Promote diversity and inclusion within the workforce; perform other duties as assigned; regular travel required. Minimum Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s Degree. Experience: 10-12 years of professional experience in grant writing and grant development across a range of funding opportunities, with preference for higher education settings; 5 years of leadership experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Skills
Inspirational leadership; innovative, entrepreneurial thinking Strong grant writing ability across sciences, arts, and humanities Deep understanding of the grant lifecycle (pre-award to post-award) Knowledge of foundation, corporate, and government funding sources Project management and execution skills Familiarity with grant tracking and reporting tools; excellent interpersonal communication Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities; commitment to continuous learning Preferred Qualifications
Advanced degree Experience in a higher education environment Required
In addition to a cover letter and resume, applicants must submit a writing sample (e.g., a grant proposal, a grant solicitation, or other material demonstrating ability to craft persuasive language). Attach BOTH a current resume and a cover letter. Ensure all attachments are provided before submitting; additional files cannot be attached after submitting. Applications are reviewed as they are received, with the review beginning on October 22, 2025. About Smith College: Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women’s colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. The College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination. Smith College is committed to equity and inclusion and provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with ADA and Massachusetts law. Type: Regular; Employment type: Full-time; Seniority level: Director; Job function: Research, Analysis, and Information Technology; Industries: Online Audio and Video Media. This posting contains other job listings and location details that are not part of this role and are omitted here for clarity.
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