Grants Manager

Grants Manager


Please see Special Instructions for more details.
Our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated, or Justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for Which they may be qualified. Please Note:

• A criminal background check will be conducted on the candidate finalist prior to the offer of employment.
• If no applicants apply who meet the required competency and T&E requirements, then management may consider other applicants.
• Salary will be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.
• Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing an electronic application. The application must be completed in full detail (including work history) for your qualifications to be considered.
• Failure to complete the application completely may result in you not being considered for the vacant position.
• Your application for the position will not be completed until you receive an online confirmation number at the end of the process of applying for a position.
• If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at View email address on click.appcast.io . Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodation in the application and interview process, please call View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Position Details

Classification Information
Position Classification Title
Corporate / Foundation Relations Professional

FLSA
Exempt

Position Class
89779

Position Overview
Join the Ramily!
Join the Ramily! Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) is a distinguished institution that combines academic excellence, community engagement, and a commitment to fostering student success. We are proud to be North Carolina's only university to earn the distinguished designation of Opportunity College by the Carnegie Classifications of Higher Education and the American Council on Education (ACE). WSSU is dedicated to preparing students for leadership roles through rigorous programs in health sciences, business, education, and the humanities. Known for its supportive environment, the university fosters a close-knit community that nurtures both professional and academic excellence. Situated in Winston-Salem, North Carolina-known as the city of Arts and innovation, WSSU provides students with opportunities to engage in a dynamic mix of professional, social, and cultural experiences. Winston-Salem is home to thriving arts, healthcare, and technology sectors, offering both students and faculty unique collaboration opportunities and professional development pathways. With its beautiful campus, strong sense of community, and dedication to fostering personal and professional growth, Winston-Salem State University is an ideal place to teach, work, and learn. Find information about our current benefits and retirement options, our holiday schedule, and other discounts and perks at the links below: UNC System Employee Benefits Central UNC System Retirement Benefits WSSU Holiday Schedule WSSU Discounts and Perks

Position Summary


Winston-Salem State University's Office of Advancement is hiring for a Grants Manager.

The Grants Manager is a strategic, action-oriented leader within the Division of University Advancement. A successful Grant will be a proactive and collaborative member of this dynamic team and a champion for the university's highest funding priorities.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Advancement, the Grants Manager is a central driver of institutional revenue, responsible for the development, writing, and post-award management of philanthropic grants. This position works in close partnership with the Director of Corporate and Foundation Engagement to secure funding from private foundations and corporate philanthropies. Additionally, this role collaborates with the Senior Director of Development to support major gift strategies involving family foundations and relies on the infrastructure managed by the Senior Director of Advancement Services for accurate gift processing and donor stewardship.

Serving as a crucial bridge between University Advancement and the Provost's Office, the Grants Manager will collaborate closely with the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), led by the Associate Provost of Research and Innovation. This will ensure that hybrid proposals blending philanthropic programmatic support with academic research are seamlessly coordinated, compliant, and aligned with WSSU's strategic priorities


Job Duties & Responsibilities

Grant Writing & Proposal Development (40%)

• Serve as the lead writer and project manager for all Advancement-driven grant applications, letters of inquiry (LOIs), and proposal narratives.
• Partner with the Director of Corporate and Foundation Engagement to translate outward-facing funder cultivation strategies into highly competitive grant submissions, ensuring alignment with corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals and foundation priorities.
• Collaborate with the Senior Director of Development and the major gifts team to draft tailored proposals and narratives for high-net-worth individuals utilizing family foundations or complex donor-advised funds.
• Maintain a centralized calendar of philanthropic grant deadlines, ensuring all required materials are assembled and submitted well in advance.

Post-Award Management & Compliance (25%)

• Act as the primary Advancement liaison to departmental grant recipients (Project Directors) to ensure grant funds are utilized efficiently and in strict adherence to private funder guidelines.
• Partner closely with the Senior Director of Advancement Services and their team to track grant expenditures, process incoming foundation funds accurately, and ensure financial drawdowns align with the approved grant budget.
• Proactively identify and resolve potential compliance issues, budget variances, or project delays, advising the Assistant Vice Chancellor and departmental leadership on necessary course corrections.

Research Innovation & Sponsored Programs Collaboration (20%)

• Coordinate with the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) to ensure seamless coordination between philanthropic giving and federal/state research funding.
• Collaborate with OSP to navigate institutional routing processes and ensure that hybrid proposals involving faculty research meet all university compliance standards prior to submission.
• Work closely with academic Deans, faculty, and Principal Investigators to gather necessary data, budgets, and programmatic details required for complex proposals with a dual research and programmatic focus.

Impact Reporting & Stewardship (15%)

• Take the lead on drafting and submitting all required interim and final grant reports to corporate and foundation funders, ensuring narrative and financial data accurately reflect the project's success.
• Work in tandem with the Advancement Services team to integrate grant outcomes into broader donor stewardship plans, ensuring accurate impact reporting and appropriate recognition for corporate and foundation partners.
• Work closely with grant recipients to capture qualitative data, success metrics, and human-interest stories related to the funded projects, translating these outcomes into compelling stewardship materials that demonstrate WSSU's ROI.

Position Information
Position Number
519011

Working Position Title
Grants Manager

Building and Room No.
Blair Hall, Suite 311

Appointment Type
Permanent Full-Time

If Time Limited.
No

Appointment Length.
12

Requirements and Preferences
Position required to work during periods of adverse weather or other emergencies
Not Mandatory

Normal Work Schedule
8:00 am to 5:00 pm work schedule, to included some evenings and weekends

Department Required Skills

• Education: A Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Public Administration, Business, or a related field.
• Experience: A minimum of 3-5 years of progressive experience in grant writing, grant management, or corporate and foundation relations.
• Proven Track Record: Demonstrable success in researching, writing, and securing complex, five- and six-figure grants from private foundations, corporate philanthropies, or government entities.
• Federal Grants Experience: Familiarity with major foundation grant cycle processes and federal grant compliance and funding regulations is highly desirable.
• Writing & Communication: Exceptional technical writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with the ability to translate complex academic or programmatic jargon into clear, compelling narratives for external funders.
• Financial Acumen: Strong proficiency in grant budget development, financial tracking, and post-award reporting. Ability to understand and reconcile project budgets against general ledger reports.
• Project Management: Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple overlapping grant cycles, deadlines, and compliance requirements simultaneously.

Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education

• Education: An advanced degree is preferred.
• Higher Education Context: Experience working within a higher-education advancement office, university research office, or a complex non-profit environment.
• Research Collaboration: Previous experience bridging the gap between philanthropic giving and academic/faculty research, including working with a Provost's Office or Office of Sponsored Programs.
• Technical Proficiency: Experience utilizing prospect research tools (e.g., Instrumentl, Foundation Directory Online, GrantStation, etc) and advancement CRM databases (e.g., Blackbaud CRM Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, etc).
• Mission Alignment: A demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the mission of higher education and Winston-Salem State University's strategic priorities.

Personal Attributes:

• Self-starter with a high degree of initiative, curiosity, and independence.
• Strategic thinker with a collaborative mindset.
• Strong integrity, discretion, and commitment to confidentiality.
• Willingness to travel regionally and nationally, and to work occasional evenings and weekends for donor engagement.

Required License or Certification

Valid US Driver's License
No

Commercial Driver's License Required
No

Physical Required
No

List any other medical/drug tests required

Posting Details

Posting Details
Internal Posting Only
No

Time Limited Position
No

Appointment Length

Salary
$72,000-$80,000; Commensurate with education and experience

Open Date
05/13/2026

Close Date

Open Until Filled
Yes

Special Instructions Summary
Our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated, or Justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for Which they may be qualified. Please Note:

• A criminal background check will be conducted on the candidate finalist prior to the offer of employment.
• If no applicants apply who meet the required competency and T&E requirements, then management may consider other applicants.
• Salary will be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.
• Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing an electronic application. The application must be completed in full detail (including work history) for your qualifications to be considered.
• Failure to complete the application completely may result in you not being considered for the vacant position.
• Your application for the position will not be completed until you receive an online confirmation number at the end of the process of applying for a position.
• If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at View email address on click.appcast.io . Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodation in the application and interview process, please call View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
   • Public Job Posting
   • Internal Job Posting
   • Agency Referral
   • Advertisement/Publication
   • Personal Referral
   • Website
   • Other
   
   
   
   
   

Applicant Document



Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. Letter of Recommendation 1
4. References List

Optional Documents