| Basic Responsibilities |
The Research Development Officer will participate in the strategic planning, budgeting, and
development of grant proposals for the ACU Dallas Campus. This position will work directly with the ACU Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and participate in all phases of grant development, evaluation, and compliance, including the coordination of grant applications, post-award support for grant-funded projects, managing the grant reporting process, and successfully closing out grant projects with final budget and report outcomes to stakeholders.
The role will actively research and pursue prospective public and private funding sources. This position will coordinate with the Dallas Campus Student Financial Services team and Vice Provost for Research, Writing, & Special Initiatives. The role will report to the Vice President for Research.
1. Support ACU’s Mission: Educate students for Christian service and leadership
throughout the world.
2. Support ACU’s 21st Century Vision: To position ACU as the premier university for the
education of Christ-centered global leaders.
3. Support the Core Values of ACU Dallas: Innovate, Empower, Develop, and Grow.
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| Essential Duties |
Reporting to the Vice President for Research and responsible to the Dallas Campus with the following areas of focus:
● Oversees the proposal concepts by identifying and clarifying opportunities and needs intended for the online students and programs.
○ Grants - Student-based, Organization based, Institution Based, and Research
○ Loan Forgiveness program
○ Texas Workforce Commission
● Engages with ACU Dallas faculty and staff in identifying external funding opportunities to pursue.
● Leads faculty and staff through the proposal development process from ideation to submission, including letters of inquiry, concept papers, white papers, and full grant proposals.
● Develops toolkits, including sample language and guidance documents, to aid and expedite proposal development.
● Ensures high-quality grant proposals, narratives, applications, and supporting
documents meet the requirements and guidelines of the funding agencies
● Ensures compliance with institutional, federal, and sponsor-specific regulations, including IRB, IACUC, and Uniform Guidance requirements.
● Conducts training and provides resources to support faculty and staff in identifying funding opportunities and improving proposal quality.
● Resolves complex, technical, and administrative problems associated with developing proposals.
● Critically assesses grant proposals for clarity, compliance with deadlines, and fit with funder priorities.
● Conducts strategic reviews of rejected proposals to strengthen grant applications and implement solutions for resubmissions. Follows ACU’s Office of Research & Sponsored Programs procedures and processes to submit grant proposals and to monitor grant compliance.
● Liaises with funding program officers; resource developers at the local, state, and national levels; community organizations; and regional education and business partners.
● Coordinates and supports grantsmanship and research development events for faculty and staff.
● Manages external grant writers hired to develop proposals as necessary.
● Experience with creating and submitting grant proposals through sponsor systems (NIH eRA Commons, research.gov, grants.gov, EERE, Cayuse).
● Maintains knowledge of federal and state laws, regulatory requirements, and university policies governing the planning, application development, and management of grants and contracts.
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| Professional Development Requirements |
● Excellent oral and written communication skills
● Excellent time management and critical thinking skills
● Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
● Knowledgeable of funding sources, compliance issues, and legal and fiscal policies of funding sources and appropriate government agencies
● Implement the use of technology to assist with grants development and management
● Demonstrates a high degree of initiative to find solutions and meet deadlines
● Read, comprehend, interpret, and apply governmental regulations and proposal guidelines
● Work independently, be computer literate, and possess the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines |
| Qualifications |
● Required: Bachelors degree and four years of experience developing or managing programs or projects.
● Preferred: Experience in research development, grant proposal writing, and/or research administration.
● Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple projects and meet external, hard deadlines. Independent judgment, strong organization and communication skills, and a superior customer service focus. Proficient with MS Office Word and Excel.
● Superb professional writing and editing skills.
● Knowledge of multiple funding sources for research and programs. Ability to work with a diverse community including students, faculty, administrators, and industry, as well as federal and state agencies. |
| Additional Information |
ACU does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, disability, genetic information, national or ethnic origin in employment opportunities, in keeping with applicable state and federal law.
ACU is committed to maintaining a safe and secure campus environment and protecting the university's financial and physical assets. Therefore, Abilene Christian University conducts background checks on all candidates for employment in security sensitive positions.
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