Director of research

Job Number: R-202500568

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at [email protected] .

Provost/Dean of Faculty

Job Description

Job Summary

Manage a high functioning team to identify, realize and steward grant and foundation opportunities aligned with Smith's strategic plan and highest priority needs. Reporting to the Provost and Dean of Faculty, the position will collaborate closely with Alumnae Relations and Development, Finance and Administration, academic and co-curricular departments, centers and programs to match targets of opportunity supporting curricular and co-curricular initiatives, research and scholarly activities, capital projects, and programmatic operations. This role will ensure pre- and post-award management and compliance, and will collaborate with trustees, alumnae, parents and community members to identify foundation and corporate grant opportunities.

Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Essential Functions

Strategy and Program Leadership

• Cultivate vision and strategic roadmaps for institutional grants by identifying new sources of funding, assessing alignment of institutional priorities with potential funders, and collaborating with relevant stakeholders on implementation plans.

• Serve on relevant campus wide strategic planning and priority setting committees that support programming in academic and co-curricular departments, centers and initiatives, and develop additional structures for advancing curricular initiatives. This will include serving as a liaison to the Science Center, the Kahn Liberal Arts Institute, and the Smith Office for the Arts in order to secure fundraising opportunities to advance institutional investments in key areas like global citizenship, arts initiatives, human rights-centered leadership.

• Coordinate efforts with the major curricular and co-curricular centers including the Center for Environment, Ecological Design and Sustainability, Jandon Center for Community Engagement, the Jill Ker Conway Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center, Wurtele Center for Leadership, Lewis Center for Global Studies, and Lazarus Career for Career Development.

• Serve as active member of the Advancement Directors group engaged in strategic planning, supporting the overall philanthropic and alumnae engagement efforts of the college.

• Ensure close collaboration with the Offices of the Provost, Finance and Administration, and Alumnae Relations and Development; creating goals that encompass the needs of all areas.

• Facilitate meetings and information sessions with key partners so all are informed about new and ongoing programs to match potential funding sources with areas of need.

Program Administration

• Cultivate and administer a portfolio of corporate foundation and governmental funding agencies.

• Engage in financial planning and assess short- and long-term budgetary implications of institutional grant activities.

• Manage departmental budget and participate in setting annual fundraising strategy and goals in collaboration with partners in the offices of the Provost and Dean of Faculty, Alumni Relations and Development, and Finance and Administration.

• Supervise the development and implementation of procedures and processes necessary to ensure compliance with all grantor requirements, including fiscal management, reporting, record retention, monitoring, site visits, and financial analysis.

• Ensure that the team remains current with developments and changes in state and federal government regulations, compliance requirements, court decisions, executive orders, higher education practices and college policies related to grant funding and expense reimbursements to ensure institutional compliance.

• Oversee the development and/or delivery of training in grant administration, compliance, and organizational policies to relevant stakeholders.

• Provide senior level grant writing by working with cabinet-level partners (i.e., the President, Provost and VP of Alumni Relations and Development) to develop competitive proposals; responding to and managing RFP grant opportunities; and coordinating work with individual principal investigators.

• Oversee composition of acknowledgement letters and other grant related correspondence for key administrators and faculty.

Departmental Leadership

• Manage a coordinated, well-defined team that provides excellent support to principal investigators and other grant leads and develops relationships with on-going and new targets of funding opportunities.

• Ensure office and roles are led and organized to maximize effectiveness and work to the highest impact to support the educational mission, curricular innovation, and strategic priorities of the college.

• Direct hiring, development / coaching, and performance-related decisions of the office with support from Human Resources.

• Make informed decisions impacting the team and college including setting priorities, allocating resources, and problem-solving. Addresses conflicts and challenges within the team to promote a positive work environment.

• Effectively communicate expectations, provide feedback, and ensure alignment with department goals.

Other Functions

• Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

• Other duties, projects, etc. as assigned

• Regular travel required

MINIMUM REQUIRED Qualifications (education, experience, certifications, licenses, knowledge, skills)

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum of 10-12 years of professional experience, proven successful experience with grant writing and grant development across a range of funding opportunities, with a preference for experience in the higher education sector, including 5 years of leadership experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Skills

• Inspirational leader

• Innovative, entrepreneurial thinking

• Proven ability to write persuasively and fluently in a number of different areas, including the sciences and arts and humanities

• Deep understanding of the grant lifecycle from pre-award to proposal to post award requirements

• Knowledge of the foundation, corporate, and government funding sources

• Experience with major fundraising campaign desired

• Project management and execution skills

• Familiarity with current online research skills and grant tracking and reporting tools

• Outstanding interpersonal skills; ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, students and external stakeholders

• Highly organized and able to manage/delegate multiple priorities

• Continual commitment to learning and development of self and team

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced degree preferred

Experience in a higher education environment

In addition to a cover letter and resume, applicants are required to submit a writing sample. Examples of acceptable materials include, but are not limited to:

• A grant proposal that you have authored or substantially contributed to
• A grant or funding solicitation
• Other materials that demonstrate your ability to craft persuasive language to meet a strategic need

Please attach BOTH a current resume and a cover letter in order for your application to be considered for this position . Be sure you have provided all attachments before submitting your application.

You will NOT be able to attach additional files after you have hit the Submit button.

Review of applications will begin

October 22, 2025

About Smith College

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women's colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at [email protected] .

As set forth in our mission and values , Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.