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This position serves as the institution’s lead grant officer. As such, this person is responsible for knowing the programs and priorities of the institution so that they can be an effective spokesperson to various funding organizations while also identifying new sources of possible funding. 

This position is eligible for a flexible/remote work arrangement in which the employee may work remotely from home.  Additional information and expectations regarding this flexible work arrangement will be provided by the supervisor.   

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to, the following:  

Primary Responsibilities

1. Serve as the institution’s lead grant officer. Work with campus colleagues to seek, plan, write, manage, steward, and track external grant funds from corporations, foundations, associations, and state and federal governmental entities.
2. Acquire and maintain a knowledge of ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½â€™s priority initiatives and needs.
3. Develop concept papers, letters of inquiry, proposals, and reports, in collaboration with faculty and staff, as needed, resulting in compelling submissions targeted to funders.
4. Conduct research on foundations and interpret their guidelines to evaluate for funding consideration.
5. Ensure interactions with foundations, corporations, associations and government entities are maintained in the Alumni & Development database.
6. Assist Alumni & Development staff with engagement and stewardship, as needed.

Contribute to the Alumni and Development Division and the University

• Contribute to Division and University initiatives, meetings, team sessions, and committees as appropriate or assigned.         
• Represent the University to Decatur, Illinois and the higher education community professionally.
• Maintain and exhibit loyalty to the University, the Alumni & Development Division, and the Development profession.
• Other job-related duties as assigned by the Assistant Vice President-Operations/Grants and the Vice President for Alumni and Development.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to succeed in a result-driven professional organization. Maintaining professional performance, demeanor, team-approach and focus on results while working under pressure in a dynamic environment. Customer service, budget, quality and delivery conscious mindset. Ability to establish priorities, work independently with minimal supervision and facilitate teamwork. Highly organized, with the ability to plan, execute and multitask to meet deadlines with accuracy and attention to detail. 

 Minimum Education and/or Experience  

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Minimum 3-5 years of grant writing experience, particularly in the higher education arena.
• Articulate in tracking and reporting grant management.
• Precise in meeting deadlines
• Strong knowledge of grant development and individual donor fund raising.
• Results-oriented with commitment to prospect/donor relationship
• Outstanding writer of business communications
• Evidence of personal initiative and follow through.
• Computer competency and excellent planning, organization, and administration skills
• Exercise a high degree of independent initiative, confidentiality, judgement, communication and problem solving.
• Ability to plan, evaluate, and improve initiatives to achieve desired results.
• Knowledge of higher education, ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ University and Decatur area preferred.