Job Summary:

Under the general supervision of the Senior Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, the Philanthropic Grants Research and Development Specialist independently performs advanced-level pre- and post-award grants and contracts administration to support corporate and foundation fundraising initiatives. This position applies advanced knowledge of grant administration, university policy, and external funding regulations to facilitate the submission, negotiation, and management of philanthropic proposals, gifts, contracts, and agreements.

 

As a key member of University Advancement, this position collaborates with faculty, staff, and external partners to identify and pursue funding opportunities, develop competitive proposals, ensure compliance with donor and institutional requirements, and steward awarded funds through close-out. The incumbent provides strategic and technical expertise in all phases of philanthropic grant development and management to advance institutional priorities.

 

Responsibilities:

Pre-Award

• Serve as the primary contact for assigned Principal Investigators (PIs), Project Directors (PDs), and department leads in the development and submission of corporate and foundation grant proposals.

• Research, interpret, and analyze funding opportunities to evaluate institutional fit and eligibility.

• Coordinate proposal planning activities, review guidelines, and assist PIs/PDs with developing application narratives, letters of intent, and supporting materials.

• Prepare and review project budgets, applying current institutional rates (salaries, benefits, indirect costs, etc.) and ensuring compliance with sponsor and university policies.

• Independently manage submission processes through proposal portals as the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR).

• Draft, edit, and proofread proposal materials to ensure accuracy, consistency, and alignment with institutional standards.

• Develop and maintain relationships with corporate and foundation funders, and collaborate with faculty and Advancement colleagues to align proposals with donor priorities.

• Maintain comprehensive files and records for proposals, including boilerplate text, statistical data, and frequently used departmental materials.

• Develop and deliver training workshops and resources for faculty and staff on philanthropic grant identification, proposal development, and compliance best practices.

 

Post-Award

• Serve as the primary contact for all post-award issues, ensuring compliance with donor and institutional requirements.

• Track and reconcile financial activity for assigned grants and contracts, reviewing expenditures, encumbrances, and financial reports to ensure accuracy.

• Coordinate with Accounting, Procurement, and Research Compliance to process budget modifications, cost transfers, and financial adjustments as needed.

• Prepare and submit progress reports, no-cost extensions, and other post-award requests to funders.

• Conduct financial and performance reviews to identify and resolve discrepancies, deficits, or compliance issues.

• Facilitate project close-out in accordance with institutional and donor expectations.

• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to highlight awarded grants and ensure proper recognition of donors

 

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Participate in university and Advancement meetings, events, and trainings related to corporate and foundation fundraising.

• Support the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and assessment tools for Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR).

• Conduct presentations and workshops to promote awareness of philanthropic grant opportunities and compliance.

• Perform other classification-related duties as assigned.

 

 

Minimum Qualifications: Required Education and Experience

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a related field and four years of relevant experience. Additional experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

 

Required Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge and understanding of grant proposal administration, budgeting, and postaward practices and administration principles, concepts, processes, and best practices.

• Demonstrated competence in applying advanced judgment to resolve difficult and complex

problems and issues.

• Thorough knowledge and skill in applying and interpreting applicable regulations, standards, and

guidelines. Ability to make recommendations for changes based on interpretations.

• Advanced analytical and organizational skills to prioritize and manage the fulfillment of a portfolio of grants and contracts and to successfully manage projects within time and budget constraints.

• Advanced communication and interpersonal skills, including political acumen to build partnerships and communicate effectively across all employee groups in a diverse environment. Ability to effectively present ideas, deliver training and successfully negotiate agreement on grants and contracts requirements.

• Advanced skill in effectively leading, mentoring or overseeing the work of others and training

technical, professional staff, and faculty on grants and contracts practices and procedures.

• Advanced skill to appropriately use technology and relevant grant management software.

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency with grant management and CRM systems (e.g., PeopleSoft, Instrumentl, Ellucian Advance) and Microsoft Office Suite.

• Experience developing and managing corporate and foundation proposals within a higher education or nonprofit setting.

• Experience reviewing and negotiating award and contract terms

• Familiarity with PeopleSoft Common Finance System, Instrumentl, and Ellucian Advance.

• Demonstrated ability to develop, monitor, and reconcile budgets and prepare financial reports.

• Experience training faculty and staff in grant writing, compliance, or research administration best practices.

 

Compensation and Benefits:

Anticipated Hiring Range: Step 1 – 7 ($6,382 - $7,187)

Classification Salary Range: minimum Step 1 ($6,382) - maximum Step 20 ($9,297) 

 

The salary offered will take into account internal equity and experience among other factors.

The CSU system provides a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental and vision plans, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), sick and vacation time, and 15 paid holidays a year. Eligible employees are also able to participate in the fee waiver education program. A summary of benefit information can be found here.

 

Position Information:

Work status: Full-time/Exempt/Probationary

Academic year schedule: Monday through Friday (8:00 am – 5:00 pm), some evenings/weekends.

Summer schedule: Monday through Thursday (7:00 am - 5:30 pm), some evenings/weekends.

Staff: The application deadline is January 5^th 11:55P.M.

As of January 1, 2022, the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

California State University, San Bernardino is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (i.e. H1-B Visas).

CSUSB is not an E-Verify employer and cannot support visa holders with certain requirements (e.g., H1B, F1, STEM OPT).

 

Conditions of Employment

Background Check

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment.  CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.  Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

 

I-9

CSUSB hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.  See Form I-9 Acceptable Documents at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents.

Statement of Commitment to Diversity

In our commitment to the furthering of knowledge and fulfilling our educational mission, California State University, San Bernardino seeks a campus climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the entire variety of human experience. We welcome people from all backgrounds, and we seek to include knowledge and values from many cultures in the curriculum and extra-curricular life of the campus community. We will create, promote, and maintain activities and programs that further our understanding of individual and group diversity. We will also develop and communicate policies and promote values that discourage intolerance and discrimination.

 

California State University, San Bernardino is proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, hire, train, and administer all personnel actions without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, color, caste, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, protected military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. This position adheres to CSU policies against Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Violence, including Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking. This requires completion of Sexual Violence Prevention Training within 6 months of assuming employment and on a two-year basis thereafter. (Executive Order 1096) For more information about Diversity & Inclusion at CSUSB, please visit https://www.csusb.edu/human-resources/diversity-inclusion

 

 

Closing Statement:

Reasonable Accommodation

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact CSUSB Benefits at benefits@csusb.edu.

 

Smoking

CSUSB is a smoke and tobacco-free campus.  See policy at  https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/6591951/latest/.

 

Clery Act

In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, California Education Code section 67380, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), the Cal State San Bernardino Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at: https://www.csusb.edu/clery-act