What are the responsibilities and job description for the Grants Specialist position at Lyon College?
Grants Specialist
A.K.A. The Wizard of Guidelines, Budgets, and Deadlines)
Do you speak fluent “NIH” and “NSF”? Can you wrangle budgets, deadlines, and acronyms without breaking a sweat? If so, we’d love to meet you! Lyon College is seeking a Grants Specialist to join our team and help bring great ideas to life.
We’re looking for someone who thrives on turning complex sponsor requirements into clear action plans, supports faculty through the grant process, and keeps everything running on time — with a smile (and maybe a little coffee).
What You’ll Do
Pre-Award Support
- Decode funding guidelines (NIH, NSF, NEH, DOE — you name it!) and help faculty plan and develop competitive proposals.
• Review and polish budgets until they meet both a funding agency’s rules and our accountants’ high standards.
• Coordinate routing, documentation, and electronic submissions through Grants.gov, Research.gov, and other grants management portals.
• Keep a sharp eye on deadline calendars and make sure all certifications, disclosures, and documents are submitted on time.
Post-Award Support
- Help set up new awards and make sure everyone plays by the rules (Uniform Guidance is your friend).
• Monitor spending activity and coordinate any needed budget revisions or justifications.
• Partner with PIs to prepare progress and technical reports.
• Support closeout activities and ensure we’re always ready for an audit.
• Serve as the bridge between Advancement, Finance, HR, and academic units to keep the grant machine humming.
Training & Support
- Help faculty and staff navigate the grant process, from first spark of an idea to final report.
What You Bring
Required
• Bachelor’s degree
• 2 years in research administration or grant management
• Familiarity with federal and private sponsor policies
About Lyon College
Lyon College is a selective private liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in the historic town of Batesville, Arkansas. Home to more than 660 students from 30 states and 18 countries, the College is renowned for its inclusive and nurturing academic community. Batesville, with a population of 11,000, was named the Best City to Live in Arkansas by USA Today. It offers a safe, vibrant environment and is a regional hub for commercial, medical, and social activities.
Why Lyon?
At Lyon, we prioritize excellent teaching, inclusive environments, and the persistence and success of our students and faculty. We support innovative teaching, meaningful research, and professional development in a close-knit academic community. Our liberal arts foundation encourages students to think critically about their place in the world and explore diverse perspectives.
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three professional references to Human Resources, P.O. Box 2317, Batesville, AR 72503-2317, or electronically at https://lyon.bamboohr.com/careers. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Lyon College does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or national origin. We comply with all federal and state laws regarding equal employment opportunities. Learn more about Lyon College at www.lyon.edu. Join us at Lyon College and be the difference in shaping the future of curious and dedicated students!