Grants Manager

Get Set for Cumberlands! Join our team of student-focused individuals working together in order to encourage intellectual and spiritual growth, leadership and service. The Grants Manager is responsible for building, managing, and advancing a comprehensive institutional grants program at the University of the Cumberlands. This role leads grant prospect research, proposal development, submission, and post-award stewardship and reporting, working collaboratively with faculty, academic leadership, finance, and advancement staff. The Grants Manager plays a critical role in securing external funding from foundations, corporations, and government agencies to support the University’s mission of providing affordable, high-quality education and expanding opportunities for students, faculty, and programs. Key Responsibilities Grants Program Development Build and implement a centralized, strategic grants program that aligns with the University’s mission, priorities, and fundraising goals. Establish policies, procedures, timelines, and best practices for grant development, submission, and management across the institution. Serve as the primary point of coordination for institutional grant activity, ensuring consistency, compliance, and quality. Educate and support campus stakeholders on grant opportunities, processes, and expectations. Grant Research & Prospect Identification Research and identify grant opportunities from private foundations, corporations, and government agencies that align with university priorities. Maintain a robust pipeline of grant prospects and funding opportunities. Partner with academic departments, program directors, and leadership to match funding opportunities with institutional needs. Track deadlines, eligibility requirements, and submission cycles for prospective grants. Proposal Development & Submission Lead and coordinate the preparation, writing, and submission of compelling grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and supporting materials. Collaborate with faculty, administrators, finance, and advancement colleagues to gather programmatic, financial, and impact data. Ensure proposals clearly articulate the University’s mission, goals, outcomes, and evaluation plans. Manage internal approvals and submission processes to ensure timely and compliant submissions. Grant Stewardship, Reporting & Compliance Oversee post-award stewardship, ensuring grant requirements, reporting deadlines, and compliance standards are met. Coordinate narrative and financial reporting in collaboration with finance, program leads, and advancement staff. Maintain strong relationships with funders through professional communication, stewardship updates, and impact reporting. Track grant outcomes, expenditures, and deliverables, ensuring accurate documentation and recordkeeping. Support donor and foundation recognition efforts in collaboration with the Advancement team. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in nonprofit management, public administration, higher education, or related field preferred. Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in grant writing, grants management, or sponsored programs (higher education experience preferred). Demonstrated success researching, writing, and securing grants from foundations, corporations, or government agencies. Strong writing, editing, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, compelling narratives. Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and projects simultaneously. Experience with grant reporting, compliance, and stewardship processes. Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, administrators, and external partners. High level of attention to detail, professionalism, and discretion. Preferred Attributes Experience building or expanding an institutional grants program. Familiarity with grant databases and prospect research tools. Understanding of higher education funding environments and compliance requirements. Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative, mission-driven team. Commitment to the mission, values, and Christian identity of the University of the Cumberlands. Cumberlands is different by design. Our employees exemplify our motto in the pursuit of a “life-more-abundant.” #J-18808-Ljbffr