Strategic Engagement and Grants Specialist

Strategic Engagement and Grants Specialist Position Summary The Strategic Engagement and Grants Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting all Public Service and Outreach (PSO) units by identifying and pursuing high-value funding opportunities, convening interdisciplinary teams, and enhancing proposal competitiveness. This role integrates strategic engagement with grants development by proactively scanning agency priorities, analyzing funding trends, and leading and shaping collaborative proposal development efforts. This role serves as a key advisor to project teams and operates with a high degree of independence, guiding teams through reviewer criteria and scoring considerations, and building strong partnerships across PSO, academic units, community organizations, and external agencies. The Specialist establishes efficient proposal processes, supports project ideation, coordinates structured proposal enhancement activities such as peer review and mock panels, and provides training on best practices across the grant lifecycle. The position ensures that PSO's external funding strategy aligns with broader university priorities and contributes to improving proposal development processes and funding outcomes across PSO, strengthening the impact of outreach initiatives. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience. Key Competencies Advanced ability to build and sustain collaborative relationships across various units and with external partners. Comprehensive knowledge of grant development processes, including complex, multi-investigator and multi-partner proposals, with the ability to guide teams from concept through submission. Demonstrated ability to lead and facilitate interdisciplinary teams, including strategy sessions, proposal development activities, and stakeholder coordination. Strong knowledge of federal, state, foundation, and corporate funding agencies, including review criteria, sponsor priorities, and compliance requirements. Advanced analytical skills for evaluating funding opportunities and assessing competitive positioning. Experience designing and implementing proposal enhancement strategies, including peer review, mock panels, and engagement with program officers. Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex proposals, coordinate stakeholders, and meet overlapping deadlines. Strong written and verbal communication skills. High proficiency in Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and related collaboration tools. Responsibilities Lead Collaborative Proposal Development Serve as a primary resource and advisor for collaborative proposal development across PSO, supporting teams in navigating complex funding requirements and proposal expectations. Identify opportunities to strengthen proposal competitiveness and recommend improvements to approaches, tools, and processes used across PSO. Manage timelines, deliverables, and compliance for complex multi‑partner proposals. Lead strategy sessions and support development of compelling proposal narratives, aligning project concepts with sponsor priorities and community needs. Facilitate proposal enhancement by collaborating with faculty and campus partners. Guide teams through reviewer criteria and scoring considerations, helping position proposals for success in competitive funding environments. Establish, evaluate, and continuously improve processes for managing collaborative grant submissions within PSO, identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency, quality, and competitiveness. Ensure the process is efficient, transparent, and accessible to all relevant stakeholders, and update regularly as needed. Coordinate proposal enhancement activities, including peer review, mock panels, and consultation with program officers. Identify and Investigate Funding Opportunities Provide recommendations to leadership and project teams on strategic pursuit of funding opportunities. Research high‑value funding opportunities across federal, state, foundation, and corporate sources. Analyze funding landscapes and competitive positioning beyond general research and assess alignment with PSO and institutional priorities. Coordinate information‑gathering activities and maintain an updated opportunities pipeline. Provide insight into emerging funding trends and priorities to inform proposal development and strategic planning. Build and Foster Collaborative Relationships Support the development of sustained partnerships that enhance long‑term funding opportunities and programmatic impact. Cultivate strong, trust‑based relationships with PSO units, academic colleges, and external partners, identifying opportunities for mutual support and collaboration. Engage with campus entities such as OIBR and OVPR Office of Strategic Research Development to enhance funding proposals and foster interdisciplinary partnerships. Build connections with faculty and staff within PSO and academic units to establish a collaborative network for future grant development. Ensure that PSO's funding strategy aligns with broader university research and outreach priorities. Provide Education and Guidance on Grant Management Develop a structured grants training curriculum for PSO units. Deliver grantsmanship workshops and training to PSO faculty and staff. Develop accessible documentation, templates, and guidance materials. Support understanding of the full grant lifecycle and best practices. Provide advanced guidance on proposal development strategies and sponsor expectations. Physical Demands Work in a standard office environment. EEO Statement The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (View email address on click.appcast.io). #J-18808-Ljbffr