Location: Westfield, MA
Category: Professional/Executive
Job Type: Full-time
Posted On: Mon Jul 20 2026
Job Description:
Campus Title: Executive Director of External Relations and Grants (EDERG)
State Job Title: Executive Director
Department: Institutional Advancement
Job Code: HA6200
FLSA Status: Exempt
Funding: 7115-0100
Bargaining Unit: APA
Job Type: Full-Time Permanent
Timeframe: 52 Weeks
Shift: Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm
Regular Days Off: Saturday and Sunday
Supervision Received: Reports to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement.
Supervision Exercised: Supervises the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations/Grants, Grants Coordinator, and Graduate assistants and/or Interns.
Salary: $130,000 to $150,000 Annually (salary commensurate with education and experience)
General Statement of Duties:
The Executive Director provides leadership, oversight, and management of the work of the Office of External Relations and Grants. Based on their extensive experience with the full life cycle of grants, they will work collaboratively with members of the campus community, and in particular faculty across all academic disciplines, to secure monetary awards from funding opportunities from private entities and at the local, state, and federal levels which support the institutional mission and strategic priorities of Westfield State University. The EDERG, with the support of their staff, will coordinate securing external funding through the entire funding life cycle, including pre-award, proposal submission, and post-award management. In the pre-award phase, their expertise will help identify grant and other funding opportunities that Westfield State is strongly positioned to be awarded; additionally, they will support the conceptualization and proposal writing for those funding opportunities. The Executive Director will be the institutional designee for all grant proposal submissions. In the post-award phase, the Executive Director, with the support of their staff, will collaborate with and support the principal investigators of the award to ensure the successful implementation of all of the components of the award; ensure compliance with all internal and external rules, regulations, policies, and laws governing the expenditure of awarded funds; and will ensure timely required reporting to funding agencies. The Executive Director and their staff will collaborate with colleagues in all areas of the campus in the securing of external funding to support campus priorities and help faculty secure funding for their scholarship and research that is in line with WSU strategic plan priorities. The EDERG is responsible for the management and supervision of all government relations activities at WSU. In addition, the EDERG will manage and collaborate with any sponsored research partnerships the members of the Campus community conduct. In collaboration with the WSU General Counsel and the President's office, the EDERG will be the primary cultivator of government officials that include state and federal legislators and officials. The EDERG manages and conducts the day-to-day activities of the External Relations and Grants office including managing a portfolio of government officials and their staff ? this includes being the primary liaison for the University with all government agencies, both state and federal.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Duties include but not limited to:
Essential:
Identification of Funding Sources:
- Identify funding sources with reasonable likelihood of supporting current and planned University initiatives and work to encourage interest among faculty members, administrators, and staff members in applying for these funds.
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Identify academic and administrative areas with potential to secure grant funding; identify appropriate funding sources for these programs.
Coordinate Grant Submissions:
- Oversee the development of grant proposal budgets and associated narratives; review budget proposals submitted by others; manage the review of these materials by the appropriate Vice President and the Finance Office; and gain approval of these materials in advance of their submission to funding agencies.
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Identify matching cost requirements and sustaining cost requirements prior to proposal submission.
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Manage grant proposal teams; develop, coordinate, and manage grant proposal development and writing; review and edit proposal drafts; ensure proposal review and approval by WSU Executive staff as appropriate; and arrange for submission of approved proposals.
Grants Administration:
- Oversee the maintenance of all University grants in the database by providing guidance to the Grants Coordinator to disseminate regular updates on available funding opportunities to the WSU President, Vice Presidents, and Deans as appropriate.
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Monitor and provide periodic reports on grant submissions and awards to the WSU President, Vice President of Institutional Advancement, and other the Vice Presidents as appropriate.
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Manage the gift and grant stewardship process, including oversight, review and editing of narrative and financial reports, and gaining the necessary reviews and approvals from senior staff.
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Draft correspondence for the Vice President of Institutional Advancement (to review and sign) endorsing proposal submission and acknowledging grant and gift funding.
Manage the WSU's Government Relations efforts:
- Responsible for managing a wide range of complex and politically sensitive legislative, funding, and issue-oriented interactions as well as campus initiatives designed to advance the mission and priorities of the campus.
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Leads the development of strategy and tactics to enhance state support for the institution.
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Cultivate relationships with MA legislative and executive branch officials, as well as with other MA state institutions of higher education and other related groups. At least 10 days a month should be spent in this area. These should be significant interactions.
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Disseminate relevant information and data to bolster support for various programs and initiatives of interest and benefit to the University and the Commonwealth.
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In collaboration with senior campus leadership, this position shares responsibility for elevating the visibility and public funding for the campus.
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Act as WSU's primary contact for major capital project funding with state agencies such as DCAMM, to ensure compliance with proposal processes and heighten WSU's visibility with those organizations.
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Works diligently and creatively to find government funding sources for University's strategic initiatives.
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Establishes overall strategy for advocacy programs, creating and leveraging partnerships and collaboration opportunities on behalf of the University.
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Requires a significant presence in Boston throughout the calendar year.
Build Community:
- Work closely with peers in the University and Western Massachusetts community developing trusting and cooperative relationships with faculty, staff, and key members of external community organizations, including federal, state, and local government officials.
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Explore opportunities for professional development, especially those opportunities that lead to new sources of grant and gift activity.
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Work jointly with external organizations to explore funding opportunities and information about funders, and work to ensure good information sharing, cooperation, and collaboration rather than competition.
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Develop relationships with funding agencies and program officers and keep up to date on the development profession.
General Duties:
- Collaborate with colleagues in the Finance department to ensure compliance with all internal and external rules, regulations, policies, and laws governing the expenditure of awarded funds.
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Oversee the successful completion of regular review of Sponsored Programs and associated functions.
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Work collaboratively to identify areas of improvement for the Office and to formulate plans to implement improvements, including to any University policies, guidelines, and resources central to a robust infrastructure for grants management.
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Manage, mentor and recognize employees in the Office of External Relations and Grants and promote grants-centered collaborations across university divisions and with faculty across all academic disciplines.
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Perform other duties as assigned.
Job Requirements:
Required Qualifications:
- Master's degree or equivalent record of professional qualifications and achievement.
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A minimum of 7-10 years of successful grants acquisition and contract management experience.
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A minimum 3-5 years of government engagement experience.
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Demonstrated relationship building with government officials both state and federal.
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Excellent writing, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
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Experience in aiding grant seekers and in the grant management process.
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Experience building grant budgets and, in their coordination, and monitoring.
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Experience in interfacing with funders at all phases of grant development and award implementation.
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Experience in working with senior leaders in developing, analyzing, and managing grants.
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Ability to quickly react to resource development opportunities in a rapidly changing environment to meet the needs of shifting priorities.
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Demonstrated skill in tracking grant projects from initial identification through conclusion of project or to sustainability.
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Demonstrated effectiveness in working with diverse colleagues, constituents, and stakeholders.
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Strong technological skills, including proficiency in common Microsoft Office programs, database use, and grant research tools.
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Three plus years, experience in sponsored research administration.
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Proficiency in the development and delivery of presentations, reports, and other communication assets to a variety of executive, corporate, and community stakeholders.
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Expert ability to represent Westfield State University.
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Strong problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working in higher education.
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Experience working within union environments.
Additional Information:
Salary:
Salaries for current Westfield State University employees and individuals currently working for the state of Massachusetts must be calculated individually in accordance with collective bargaining agreements as well as state policies. State job specifications may be found on the Department of Higher Education's webpage.
Employee Benefits:
Benefits are an important component of an employee's total compensation package.
- Health Insurance: Westfield State offers a variety of HMO, POS, and PPO-type health insurance plans for eligible employees. Coverage is effective on the 1st of the month following the date of hire. Exceptions to employees hired on the 1st of the month, coverage is effective immediately.
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Retirement: the MA State Employee Retirement System provides eligible employees with a retirement pension following a 10-year vesting period. In lieu of the retirement pension, eligible employees may select the Optional Retirement Plan with a maximum 5% employer matching contribution.
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Tuition Waivers & Discounts: eligible employees, including spouses and dependent children, receive reduced tuition at MA state colleges, community colleges, and universities.
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Paid Time Off: employees receive 12 paid holidays and generous vacation, personal, and sick leave benefits.
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Additional information regarding employee benefits is available on the University's Benefits & Wellness webpage.
Disability Accommodations
Westfield State University is committed to the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities and will ensure the availability of reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at (413) 572-8809 or visit us in the Horace Mann Building, 1st floor.
Background Check
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion and review of a background check. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify an applicant from consideration.
