Director of Grants and Proposals

Director of Grants

Join a Community That Transforms Lives — Welcome to American International College

At American International College (AIC), we believe in the power of education to transform lives. Located in the heart of Springfield, Massachusetts, our vibrant campus blends historic charm with modern innovation. With approximately 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students, AIC offers a close-knit, supportive culture where your work makes a meaningful impact.

Our mission is to provide access to a holistic education in an inclusive environment that propels a diverse community of learners to personal growth and professional success. Guided by this purpose, we cultivate a campus where students, faculty, and staff feel a true sense of belonging, benefit from innovative education, and participate in experiences that empower them to thrive in their careers and communities.

Whether you’re teaching, advising, or supporting operations, you’ll be part of a collaborative team that values purpose-driven education, personal growth, and professional achievement. We are deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we actively seek candidates who bring unique perspectives and experiences to our campus.

Make a difference where it counts. At AIC, every position plays a part in empowering students and strengthening the AIC experience.

American International College is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building and sustaining inclusive and equitable working and learning environments for all. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as defined by law.

The Director of Grants provides strategic leadership in developing and managing a comprehensive grants program to support the mission and strategic goals of American International College. This position is responsible for identifying, securing, and stewarding public and private funding opportunities while establishing systems and structures to sustain long-term institutional grant success. The Director works collaboratively with faculty, staff, and administrators across the College to generate innovative, high-quality proposals and ensure compliance throughout the lifecycle of each award.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead efforts to build a sustainable grants infrastructure and operational model that enhances AIC’s capacity to secure external funding from government, foundation, and corporate sources.

• Manage the full lifecycle of grant activity, including research, proposal development, submission, award management, and reporting.

• Proactively identify, research, and evaluate funding opportunities aligned with institutional and divisional priorities.

• Develop and oversee the preparation of case statements, letters of inquiry, progress reports, and other communications for funders.

• Collaborate with faculty and staff to design programmatic elements of grant proposals, develop budgets in accordance with College and sponsor guidelines, and ensure all submissions receive proper internal review.

• Provide technical assistance and consultation to faculty and staff engaged in grant activity.

• Create and support an Office of Sponsored Research to coordinate the proposal submission process and manage post-award compliance.

• Track and maintain accurate records of all submissions, funded projects, expenditures, and required reporting.

• Partner with Institutional Research, Financial Aid, and the Registrar to collect and analyze data for grant proposals and reporting.

• Maintain a central repository for all grant records, including proposals, budgets, and compliance documents.

• Ensure ongoing compliance with federal and state laws, including OMB Circulars and EDGAR regulations.

• Build and sustain strong relationships with foundations, government agencies, and corporate partners to position AIC for continued success in competitive funding environments.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree

• 3–5 years of professional experience in nonprofit grant writing

• Demonstrated success in developing and securing grant funding

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to craft persuasive, data-informed narratives

• Ability to collect, analyze, and synthesize institutional data to support proposals

• Experience with budget development and financial reporting in a grant context

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and grant submission platforms (e.g., Grants.gov, eCommons, HRSA EHB)

Preferred:

• Master’s degree

• Experience with educational or academic grant writing in higher education

• Certified Grant Writer credential

• Familiarity with Raiser’s Edge or comparable donor management software

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Writes clearly, persuasively, and with attention to detail.

• Communicates effectively with diverse stakeholders including funding agencies, administrators, faculty, and staff.

• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a diverse environment.

• Knowledge of federal and state grant compliance requirements.

• Ability to manage complex budgets and interpret funding guidelines.

• Skilled in using digital tools for project management and data tracking.