Working Title: Research Development Manager

State Role Title: N/A

Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)

Position Status: Full-Time

College/Division: Vice Provost - REDI

Department: 539412 - Vice Provost - Res & Pub Svc

Pay Rate: Commensurate with Experience

Specify Range or Amount:

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? Yes. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon continued funding.

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 11/7/2024

About JMU:

Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are
Located in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. The university is committed to expanding diversity, fostering equity and inclusion, and supporting superlative teaching and scholarship. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

The Research Development Manager (RDM) provides support to the College of Education, the African, African American, and Diaspora Studies Center (AAAD), and the JMU Center for Advancement Research in Education (JMU CARE TM). The RDM will report to the Division of Research, Economic Development, and Innovation’s Director of the Office of Research Development, but with a dotted line to the College of Education’s Associate Dean of Research, the Director of AAAD, and the Director of JMU CARE (TM). 50% of the RDM’s time will be used to assist the College of Education, with the remaining time split evenly between AAAD and JMU CARE (TM). The RDM will work with the staff in the Offices of Research Development, Sponsored Programs, and Corporate and Foundation Relations to manage the development of a growing portfolio of external funding proposals for the College for new and continuing large-scale research and programmatic projects. The RDM works directly with faculty and staff to catalyze and manage the proposal development process to help produce highly competitive proposals for research and programmatic funding.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities:
• Identify and disseminate funding opportunities tailored for the College of Education, AAAD, and JMU CARE (TM).
• Articulate college RD and individual faculty RD priorities to the Office of Research Development so RD can continue to support these.
• Catalyze and manage a growing portfolio of large external funding proposals.
• Provide proposal management support to complex large funding opportunities; this includes generating checklists and timelines based on the solicitation requirements.
• Assess and provide guidance on required proposal elements.
• Organize meetings for the proposal development process.
• Manage external and internal review and offer feedback on proposals relative to funding program goals and review criteria.
• Manage timely preparation of components required for compliance with funding agency solicitations.
• Manage production of proposals to ensure timely completion and submission.
• Manage the development or accessibility of resources required to address proposal components.
• Host office hours for faculty consultations.
• Manage relationships with other Research Development managers and assistants to share opportunities and experiences, converge research teams, etc.
• Report ongoing external funding activities to Central RD office for sharing with OSP.
• Co-design an annual college-level strategic research development plan with the Associate Dean for Research and Directors so the central Research Development team can prepare necessary support.
• Liaise ongoingly with Central Research Development office for training and new opportunities.
• Build relationships with program officers from different funding agencies for the benefit of the College of Education, AAAD, and JMU CARE (TM).
• Distribute communications and assist in promoting updates, events/workshops and resources provided by the central Research Development team to the college and centers.
• Co-host with Associate Dean for Research, Directors, and Central RD office, college, and center-level RD events as well as site visits (virtual and physical).
• Recommend community partnerships to the JMU CARE (TM) Director.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Proficiency in project management and ability to handle complex tasks efficiently or willingness to learn.
• Proficiency in writing and review, project management, and consulting skills
• Ability to work with a variety of software packages and to learn new software packages quickly.
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting inclusive excellence.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently with minimum supervision.
• Capacity to maintain confidentiality and apply judgment, discretion, and initiative in coordinating complex projects.
• Attention to detail and ability to interpret and ensure compliance with federal, state, and foundation requirements for grant proposals.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively and prioritize tasks under tight deadlines.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and prepare reports.
• Ability to critically review and edit technical documents.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Advanced degree (Master's, Ph.D., etc.)
• Three to five years of demonstrated success working with teams of faculty to develop large-scale research proposals for federal and foundation funding
• Experience working in research development or research administration
• Familiarity with grant proposal development processes and funding opportunities in academic or research settings.
• Familiarity with research databases and funding search engines.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to provide effective support and guidance to faculty members.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to interact professionally with faculty, staff, and external stakeholders.

Additional Posting Information:

JMU’s Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.