Director, Grants Administration

Job Description

The Director of Grants Administration will lead the grants administration department at WGU. This high-visibility role is responsible for setting the strategic vision, developing administrative policies, and ensuring operational excellence in both pre- and post-award grant functions. The Director will collaborate closely with senior leadership, faculty, finance, legal and procurement teams and external funding agencies to support and advance the university's mission.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a strategic vision for the grants administration department, setting goals and performance metrics.
• Create and execute a framework for grant submissions, ensuring sponsor's grant guidelines are met, documents internal approvals, reviews budgets and other required submission documents to ensure they are in alignment
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all grant-related activities, ensuring seamless coordination between university departments and external funding sources.
• Oversee budget planning and resource allocation for the grants office.
• Lead a growing team, providing mentorship, training, and performance management to ensure professional development and efficiency.
• Establish policies, procedures, and workflows to ensure mission alignment, compliance, and quality in grants administration.

Pre-Award Grant Administration:

• Develop a structured framework for grant submissions, ensuring alignment with funding agency guidelines.
• Guide faculty and staff in the preparation, review, and submission of grant proposals.
• Ensure internal approvals, budget development, and compliance with institutional and sponsor requirements.
• Identify funding opportunities as needed and provide strategic guidance on proposal development.

Post-Award Grant Administration:

• Oversee the successful execution of awarded grants, ensuring compliance with all regulations and reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with finance partners to monitor budgets, spending, and grant-related financial activities.
• Develop timelines and prepare necessary reports to ensure timely submission of grant deliverables.
• Establish mechanisms for tracking grant impact and outcomes.