Director, Pre-Award (2 Positions)

Job Summary

The Director, Pre-Award will be responsible for pre-award activities at Dallas College in coordination with the Senior Director, Pre-Award Sponsored Programs. This position will communicate closely with various funding agencies externally as well as faculty, staff, and internal leadership across academic, operational, and workforce units to develop sponsored programs of Dallas College. The Director, Pre-Award will work closely with all College branch leadership, stakeholders, and external partners.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge and experience understanding policies and procedures and federal, state, and local funding agency guidelines.

• Demonstrates a fundamental respect for the dignity of others.

• Works collegially and is a proven team player.

• An innovator, capable of creating or seizing opportunities to improve service effectiveness and department outcomes as well as build strategic partnerships within the organization and with funders.

• Politically astute and tactful; attentive to the perspectives and competing interests of various internal and external stakeholders.

• Ability to thrive in a flexible, fast-paced, accredited, and growth-oriented environment.

• Ability to provide guidance and resources for grant proposal development and letters of collaboration/commitment.

• Adaptable and reliable in face of conflict, crisis, or changing priorities.

• Ability to analyze problem situations, identify feasible solutions, and present recommendations in a concise, logical, and systematic manner.

• Knowledge of internal controls and the ability to analyze and apply.

• Understands and values quality improvement.

• Able to effectively address overlapping projects and deadlines.

• Excellent organizational skill and must be able to prioritize responsibilities and handle multiple tasks relating to concurrent projects.

• Proven project management experience as well as superb strategic planning, writing, and editing skills.

• Ability to work independently and in a team setting.

• Exercises good judgment in confidential matters.

• Able to work across departments and coordinate team efforts in a timely, friendly, and effective manner.

• Ability to partner with others across the college and externally to exchange information, collaborate on projects, share resources, etc.

• Proven success in following through and completing projects.

• Ability to identify underlying principles, reasons, or facts of data information by breaking down information into separate parts and creating understandable reports.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment routinely and independently in making decisions.

• Advanced computer skills and demonstrated experience with office software and email applications.

• Ability to utilize computer technology to access data, generate reports, prepare spreadsheets/reports, and inter- office communications.

• Adapts to change and learns and integrates specialized and/or upgraded software packages utilized by the college.

• Promotes positive staff, customer, and community relations by communicating organizational and departmental plans and priorities on a regular basis.

• Able to gather, compile, and analyze data/information and prepare reports as requested.

• Detail oriented with the ability to manage multiple assignments and projects, create detailed actions plans, as well as the ability to adapt to changing priorities, deadlines, and directions.

• Exhibits strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituents within the Dallas College community.

• Exhibits excellent customer service.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the review of funding agency guidelines and identify key requirements.

• Successfully engage with various groups or committees across organizational units and campus locations that would be key to the success of a grant award.

• Work closely with team leaders, faculty, staff, and leadership across Dallas College to prepare project plans and other documentation necessary to support the planning and development of the project.

• Conduct research and work with other operational units to acquire and analyze institutional data to assist with proposal development.

• Develop and update Pre-Award grant development tracking, analysis, and reporting.

• Identify project costs and draft budgets.

• Budget preparation, related documentation, and proposal submission forms.

• Provide guidance on proposal preparation and feedback or edits on proposal drafts.

• Provide guidance to division leadership and/or potential principal investigators regarding specific grant announcements (i.e. eligibility requirements, restrictions, etc.).

• Complete and submit "Request for College Support to Pursue External Funding."

• Work seamlessly with the Post-Award arm of Sponsored Programs to ensure seamless transition and execution for all awarded grants.

• Contact and collaborate with partner institutions and organizations to secure support and all necessary subcontract documentation if necessary.

• Conduct on-going search process to identify funding opportunities.

• Assist with the identifications of subcontractors including requesting budget and scope of work materials.

• Obtain academic approvals and provide institutional approval for the proposal.

• Ensure the accuracy, completeness, and timely submission of applicable proposal tasks, including funding agency forms, and budget development.

• Attend training events and webinars to stay abreast of funding opportunities and agency compliance changes.

• Develop content and train others in grant proposal development and associated Pre-Award function.

• Completes required Dallas College Professional Development training hours per academic year.

• Performs other duties as assigned.