Director of Grants & Sponsored Programs/Grants Specialist IV in Cumberland

Director of Grants & Sponsored Programs/Grants Specialist IV in Cumberland

Cumberland Full-Time 55392 - 55392 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Kentucky Community and Technical College System

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead grant development and administration across multiple campuses, ensuring compliance and strategic alignment.
  • Company: Southeast KY Community & Technical College, fostering innovation and collaboration.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, health coverage, tuition reimbursement, and generous leave policies.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and cross-campus collaboration.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by securing funding for educational initiatives and community development.
  • Qualifications: Bachelor's degree required; experience in grants management preferred.

The predicted salary is between 55392 - 55392 £ per year.

Salary Range: $55,392.00

Contract Term Length: 12 Months

Standard Hours: 37.5

Work Location: On-Site

FLSA Status: Exempt

College: Southeast KY Community & Technical College

Campus Location: Southeast Cumberland C.C.

Department: Advancement

Total Rewards: Southeast KY Community & Technical College offers a competitive benefits package and an attractive work environment that supports excellence, innovation, and creativity, including:

  • Exceptional health care, vision, and dental coverage for you and your family
  • Tuition reimbursement/waiver for you, your spouse, and dependents
  • 403(b) retirement plan: a 5% employee contribution receives a 10% employer match
  • Vacation/Sick Time
  • Work-Life Balance
  • 9.5 Paid Holidays
  • 2 Weeks Institutional Closing Pay (Last 2 weeks of December) for qualifying positions
  • Employee Assistance Program

Job Summary: This position serves as the college’s central coordinating resource for grants development and sponsored program administration across all campuses and divisions. The Director is responsible for identifying funding opportunities aligned with institutional priorities, coordinating proposal development, overseeing post-award administration and compliance, managing institutional grant systems and reporting processes, and supporting principal investigators (PIs) and project directors throughout the lifecycle of grant-funded initiatives. This position serves all six Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College campuses—Cumberland, Harlan, Knox, Middlesboro, Pineville, and Whitesburg. The individual selected for this role will collaborate with SKCTC leadership to identify a primary (home) campus; however, travel to other campuses is required. The designated home campus may be reassessed and adjusted in the future as institutional needs evolve.

Job Duties:

  • Grant Development & Strategic Funding: Research, identify, and evaluate grant opportunities aligned with institutional strategic priorities, workforce development initiatives, student success goals, academic programming, and regional needs. Coordinate institutional grant development efforts across all campuses and divisions. Compile, write, edit, and submit competitive grant proposals, narratives, budgets, and supporting documentation in accordance with sponsor requirements and deadlines. Assist faculty, staff, administrators, and project teams in developing project concepts, measurable outcomes, implementation plans, and budgets. Collaborate with college leadership to align external funding opportunities with institutional strategic priorities and emerging regional opportunities. Develop and maintain relationships with funding agencies, foundations, government entities, and community partners.
  • Sponsored Programs Administration & Compliance: Coordinate institutional oversight of all grant-funded projects and sponsored programs. Monitor grant deliverables, timelines, budgets, compliance requirements, and reporting obligations. Maintain centralized systems for grant tracking, award management, reporting calendars, compliance monitoring, and institutional documentation. Coordinate grant implementation activities among project directors, finance staff, leadership, human resources, and external partners. Ensure compliance with federal, state, sponsor, KCTCS, and institutional policies and procedures. Prepare or coordinate required programmatic and financial reports, grant modifications, continuations, and closeout documentation. Support institutional audits, monitoring visits, compliance reviews, and data requests related to sponsored programs. Develop standardized procedures, templates, timelines, and reporting practices to strengthen institutional grants management capacity.
  • Principal Investigator (PI) Coordination & Support: Serve as the primary administrative liaison between principal investigators/project directors, finance, leadership, and external funders. Develop and administer principal investigator onboarding, expectations, and compliance procedures. Coordinate PI and project director training related to grant administration, reporting requirements, allowable expenditures, procurement, personnel procedures, branding/publicity requirements, and institutional processes. Develop and implement PI agreements, reporting expectations, and grant management workflows to ensure institutional accountability and successful project implementation. Coordinate grant kickoff meetings and ongoing project review meetings. Monitor project progress and provide technical assistance and intervention support when projects encounter implementation or compliance challenges.
  • Institutional Leadership & Collaboration: Develop and implement grant-related policies, procedures, and best practices. Serve as a subject matter expert on grants and sponsored programs administration. Participate in institutional planning efforts, strategic initiatives, and cross-functional committees as assigned. Support collaboration among academic affairs, workforce development, student services, finance, institutional research, advancement, and community partners. Coordinate or support institutional grants advisory or project coordination groups as needed.
  • Reporting, Communications & Special Projects: Assist with institutional reporting related to grants, sponsored programs, and external funding outcomes. Support the communication of grant-funded successes, outcomes, and impact stories in collaboration with the Advancement & Communications team. Maintain accurate institutional records related to grants activity, awards, proposals, and compliance documentation. Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field.

Preferred Qualifications: Master's degree in a related field. Experience in higher education, community colleges, government, or nonprofit organizations. Experience managing federal, state, and private foundation grants. Knowledge of federal grant regulations, Uniform Guidance, and sponsored program compliance requirements. Experience developing institutional systems, procedures, or operational workflows. Experience working with workforce development, rural initiatives, education partnerships, or economic development projects.

Additional Skills Requested:

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong leadership, organizational, and relationship-building abilities.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and projects simultaneously.
  • Strong attention to detail and institutional compliance.
  • Ability to work collaboratively across departments and campuses.
  • Ability to analyze funding opportunities and align them with institutional strategy.
  • Ability to lead project teams and coordinate cross-functional initiatives without direct supervision authority.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and grant/project management systems.
  • Ability to work independently in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment.
  • Ability to occasionally travel throughout the college’s service area and attend occasional evening meetings or events.

Employee Rights - Employee Polygraph Protection Act

Equal Opportunity Employer - The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is an equal educational and employment opportunity institution.

Director of Grants & Sponsored Programs/Grants Specialist IV in Cumberland employer: Kentucky Community and Technical College System

Southeast KY Community & Technical College is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering a competitive benefits package including comprehensive health coverage, tuition reimbursement for employees and their families, and a generous retirement plan. The college fosters a collaborative work culture that values innovation and creativity, providing ample opportunities for career advancement while supporting a healthy work-life balance across its six campuses in the scenic Southeast Kentucky region.

Kentucky Community and Technical College System

Contact Details:

Kentucky Community and Technical College System Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Director of Grants & Sponsored Programs/Grants Specialist IV in Cumberland

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your field, attend events, and connect with alumni from your college. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the college and its grant programs. Understand their mission and how your skills align with their goals. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.

Tip Number 3

Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for the position and keeps you on their radar.

We think you need these skills to ace Director of Grants & Sponsored Programs/Grants Specialist IV in Cumberland

Grant Development
Proposal Writing
Budget Management
Compliance Monitoring
Project Coordination
Relationship Building
Strategic Planning

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Director of Grants & Sponsored Programs. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.

Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate them! Share specific examples of your past experiences in grant development and compliance that relate directly to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.

Be Clear and Concise:Keep your writing clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role, and make sure to proofread for any typos or errors.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and is considered promptly. Plus, it’s super easy!

How to prepare for a job interview at Kentucky Community and Technical College System

Know Your Grants Inside Out

Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of grants and sponsored programs. Familiarise yourself with federal regulations, compliance requirements, and the types of funding opportunities relevant to the college's strategic priorities. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're ready to hit the ground running.

Showcase Your Collaboration Skills

This role requires a lot of teamwork across various departments and campuses. Prepare examples of past experiences where you've successfully collaborated with different teams or stakeholders. Highlight how you managed relationships and facilitated communication to achieve common goals.

Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-world situations. Think about challenges you've faced in grant management or compliance and how you overcame them. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you used to ensure successful project implementation and adherence to deadlines.

Ask Insightful Questions

At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions prepared. Inquire about the college's current grant initiatives, future funding opportunities, or how they measure success in their sponsored programs. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the position aligns with your career goals.