Description

Classification Title: Grant Development Specialist

Salary: $63,109.00 Annually 
Department: Grants

Pay Grade: ADM3

Reports To: Director of Grants

FLSA Status: Exempt

Unit: Administrative

Opening Date: 11/24/2025

Closing Date: 12/12/2025 11:59 p.m.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

Middlesex College is seeking a dynamic, strategic, and experienced Grant Development Specialist to strengthen and expand the College’s grant portfolio. Focused on the pre-award phase of grant development, this position contributes to all aspects of proposal creation, from identifying funding opportunities to supporting program design and developing competitive applications.

While the College’s Grants Department post-award team manages financial reporting and compliance, the Specialist collaborates on performance reporting to ensure alignment with original proposals and funder expectations. This role also plays a key part in building institutional capacity through mentoring, training, and the development of toolkits and resources that enhance grant-seeking effectiveness.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Functions:

1.       Serves as lead grant writer for assigned projects under the supervision of the Director of Grants.

2.       Collaborates with faculty, administrators, and staff to conceptualize and design grant-funded programs that advance institutional priorities and align with funder requirements.

3.       Researches and identifies new funding opportunities, analyzes grant trends, and builds a robust pipeline that positions the College for long-term success.

4.       Interprets RFPs and Funding Opportunity Announcements and provides clear guidance to project teams.

5.       Reviews proposals for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with program guidelines.

6.       Develops and maintains reusable content, toolkits, and templates to improve efficiency and quality in grant submissions.

7.       Provides feedback on proposal narratives, ensuring clarity, persuasiveness, and alignment with strategic goals.

8.       Participates in performance report preparation, ensuring that outcomes reported align with the original proposal narrative and commitments.

9.       Leads and participates in training workshops for faculty and administrators on grant writing, project design, and proposal development best practices.

10.    Contributes to periodic assessments of the College’s grant portfolio, identifying areas of strength, opportunity, and process improvement.

11.    Maintains Grants Office databases, tracks statistics, and assists with institutional reporting on grant activity.

12.    Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

        Bachelor’s Degree in English, communications, public administration, nonprofit management, education, business, or related field

        Two (2) or more years of professional experience involving grant writing, program development, fundraising, or related work in the public. non-profit, or higher education sectors

        Experience assisting with or developing grant budgets, cost proposals, or project financials

        Demonstrated ability to write clearly and persuasively for varied audiences, with strong editing and organizational skills

        Proven capacity to manage multiple projects and deadlines, with attention to detail and collaboration across departments

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

        Proven record of successfully developing or securing competitive federal, state, or foundation grants

        Experience in higher education, workforce development, or the nonprofit sector, particularly in roles involving grant writing, program development, or strategic partnerships

        Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and familiarity with collaboration or database systems (e.g., SharePoint, Smartsheet, or grant-tracking platforms)

        Working knowledge of federal and state regulations governing grant-funded programs, such as Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200)

        Ability to train, mentor, and collaborate with faculty and staff on proposal development, project design, and budget preparation

        Demonstrated initiative in improving grant processes, developing proposal templates or toolkits, or contributing to strategic portfolio evaluation and reporting

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The work is sedentary work which requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required: 

        Hearing: Picking, holding, or otherwise working, primarily with the whole hand.

        Mental Acuity: Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.

        Speaking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately and concisely.

        Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.

        Visual Acuity: Have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and/or extensive reading.

        Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

SCHEDULE:                            Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

RETIREMENT:                        Pension Eligible

Candidates chosen for an interview will be asked to submit a portfolio of their previous work, and may be asked to complete a writing assignment.

Work Arrangement

Consistent with the current application of Middlesex College Policy 4.18.0, this position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Flexible work arrangements are not permanent, and are subject to change or cancellation. Further, they are contingent on the employee completing an initial probationary work period and receiving approval from his or her immediate supervisor, and may be re-evaluated after six (6) months. Additional information may be found at:
https://middlesexcollege.edu/about/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/11/policy-manual.pdf 

NJ First Act

Any Middlesex College employee hired after September 1, 2011 will have to meet the New Jersey residency law requirement.       

Equal Opportunity Employer

Middlesex College is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, marital status, familial status, religion, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, liability for service in the armed forces of the United States, or disability.

Affirmative Action and Compliance Statement

Middlesex College is firmly committed to a policy of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action. The College will implement this policy to assure that the educational programs, activities, services, benefits and employment opportunities offered by the College are available to all persons regardless of sex, race, creed, national origin, ancestry, nationality, color, marital status, civil union or domestic partnership status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity, age, handicap (and/or disability), service in the armed forces, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, refusal to submit to genetic tests, or refusal to make available results of genetic tests, in accordance with State and Federal laws. All employees and students are expected to accept these principles and to reflect their spirit in everyday relationships with fellow employees and students. Inquiries regarding compliance may be directed to the Affirmative Action Officer, Middlesex College, Chambers Hall, 2600 Woodbridge Avenue, Edison, New Jersey 08818-3050.