Partnerships Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Summary:

The Grants Manager works closely with Principal Investigators, Foundation leadership, VA partners, academic affiliates, and external sponsors to identify funding opportunities, develop competitive proposals, support awarded projects, and foster strategic partnerships that advance VHF's mission of supporting veteran-focused research, education, and innovation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Sponsored Programs Administration

• Coordinate and support pre-award and post-award activities for sponsored programs, including grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), Intergovernmental Personnel Agreements (IPAs), industry-sponsored projects, and other funding partnerships.

• Assist Principal Investigators and program staff with proposal development, budget preparation, sponsor submissions, and compliance reviews.

• Maintain award files and support documentation for sponsored programs and funding agreements.

• Monitor project budgets, expenditures, milestones, deliverables, and reporting requirements.

• Collaborate with Finance and Accounting staff to ensure accurate invoices, reimbursements, financial reporting, and award closeout activities.

• Ensure compliance with sponsor requirements, Foundation policies, and applicable federal regulations.

• Coordinate sponsor reporting and support award modifications, budget revisions, and agreement amendments as needed.

• Assist with development and implementation of sponsored program policies and procedures.

Research Development & Strategic Growth

• Identify funding and partnership opportunities from federal agencies, foundations, industry sponsors, healthcare organizations, and other public and private sources.

• Develop and maintain relationships with funding organizations, sponsors, and strategic partners.

• Assist investigators and program leaders in identifying opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.

• Support the development of new research initiatives, collaborative partnerships, and growth opportunities.

• Monitor federal funding priorities, agency initiatives, and legislative developments that may impact research funding.

• Assist with strategic planning efforts related to research growth and organizational development.

External Relations & Partnerships

• Develop and maintain relationships with VA Medical Centers, academic affiliates, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, industry sponsors, veteran service organizations, and community partners.

• Coordinate collaborative activities among VHF, VA investigators, university partners, and external sponsors.

• Assist in developing and maintaining partnership agreements, MOUs, IPAs, and collaborative initiatives.

• Represent VHF at meetings, conferences, sponsor visits, and community outreach activities as assigned.

Policy, Compliance & Organizational Support

• Monitor federal, state, and Veterans Affairs regulations impacting sponsored programs and research activities.

• Assist in developing and updating policies, procedures, and internal controls related to sponsored programs administration.

• Prepare reports, presentations, and analyses for Foundation leadership, sponsors, auditors, and the Board of Directors.

• Support strategic planning initiatives related to research administration, compliance, and organizational growth.

• Participate in Foundation committees, workgroups, and special projects as assigned

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Public Administration, Healthcare Administration, Finance, Accounting, Research Administration, Communications, or a related field. Experience in the field may be considered in lieu of a degree.

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in sponsored programs administration, grants management, project management and/or nonprofit administration

• Demonstrated experience managing the full lifecycle of federal and/or sponsored awards and monitoring awards for regulatory , financial and contractual compliance.

• Experience coordinating multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.

• Experience interpreting and applying federal regulations, including Uniform Guidance and other federal agency requirements

• Experience working with external stakeholders, sponsors, government agencies, or research organizations.

• Highly developed oral and written communication skills, including experience interacting with investigators, sponsors, auditors and executive leadership.

• Proficient in Microsoft Suite

• Ability and willingness to travel periodically to represent VHF at meetings with federal and private sponsors, funding agencies, research partners, academic affiliates, and professional organizations.

Preferred

• Minimum 5 years of solid experience supporting pre-award activities for grants and contracts, preferably in a non-profit or academic setting.

• Knowledge of complex large, multi-site grants

• Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Pre-Award Administrator (CPRA) or Certified Financial Research administrator (CFRA)

• Experience supporting VA affiliated non profit corporations, academic medical centers or healthcare organizations

• Demonstrated success identifying funding opportunities and cultivating sponsor relationships.