Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state's flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.
About the College/Unit/Department
The University of Georgia, a land-grant and sea-grant institution, is an international leader in outreach programming and statewide engagement. As part of UGA's outreach mission, the division of Public Service and Outreach ( PSO ) works to help create jobs and prosperity, develop the state's leaders, and solve critical statewide challenges.
College/Unit/Department website
https://outreach.uga.edu/
Posting Type
External
Retirement Plan
TRS or ORP
Employment Type
Employee
Benefits Eligibility
Benefits Eligible
Full/Part time
Full Time
Work Schedule
Additional Schedule Information
M-F
Advertised Salary
Commensurate with Experience
Posting Date
04/22/2026
Open until filled
Yes
Closing Date
Proposed Starting Date
07/01/2026
Special Instructions to Applicants
Applicant screening will begin immediately. Applications received by Monday, May 18, 2026, will receive full consideration; however, review of applications will continue until the position is filled.
Location of Vacancy
Athens Area
EEO Policy Statement
The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).
USG Core Values Statement
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02.
Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience
Preferred Qualifications
Position Summary
The Strategic Engagement and Grants Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting all Public Service and Outreach ( PSO ) units by identifying and pursuing high-value funding opportunities, convening interdisciplinary teams, and enhancing proposal competitiveness. This role integrates strategic engagement with grants development by proactively scanning agency priorities, analyzing funding trends, and leading and shaping collaborative proposal development efforts.
This role serves as a key advisor to project teams and operates with a high degree of independence, guiding teams through reviewer criteria and scoring considerations, and building strong partnerships across PSO , academic units, community organizations, and external agencies. The Specialist establishes efficient proposal processes, supports project ideation, coordinates structured proposal enhancement activities such as peer review and mock panels, and provides training on best practices across the grant lifecycle.
The position ensures that PSO's external funding strategy aligns with broader university priorities and contributes to improving proposal development processes and funding outcomes across PSO , strengthening the impact of outreach initiatives.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies
Advanced ability to build and sustain collaborative relationships across various units and with external partners.
Comprehensive knowledge of grant development processes, including complex, multi-investigator and multi-partner proposals, with the ability to guide teams from concept through submission.
Demonstrated ability to lead and facilitate interdisciplinary teams, including strategy sessions, proposal development activities, and stakeholder coordination.
Strong knowledge of federal, state, foundation, and corporate funding agencies, including review criteria, sponsor priorities, and compliance requirements.
Advanced analytical skills for evaluating funding opportunities and assessing competitive positioning.
Experience designing and implementing proposal enhancement strategies, including peer review, mock panels, and engagement with program officers.
Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex proposals, coordinate stakeholders, and meet overlapping deadlines.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
High proficiency in Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and related collaboration tools.
Physical Demands
Work in a standard office environment.
Is driving a responsibility of this position?
No
Is this a Position of Trust?
Yes
Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?
Yes
Does this position require a P-Card?
No
Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position?
No
Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?
No
Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications)
No
Credit and P-Card policy
Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.
Background Investigation Policy
Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.
Duties/Responsibilities
Duties/Responsibilities
Lead Collaborative Proposal Development
Serve as a primary resource and advisor for collaborative proposal development across PSO , supporting teams in navigating complex funding requirements and proposal expectations.
Identify opportunities to strengthen proposal competitiveness and recommend improvements to approaches, tools, and processes used across PSO .
Manage timelines, deliverables, and compliance for complex multi-partner proposals.
Lead strategy sessions and support development of compelling proposal narratives, aligning project concepts with sponsor priorities and community needs.
Facilitate proposal enhancement by collaborating with faculty and campus partners.
Guide teams through reviewer criteria and scoring considerations, helping position proposals for success in competitive funding environments.
Establish, evaluate, and continuously improve processes for managing collaborative grant submissions within PSO , identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency, quality, and competitiveness.
Ensure the process is efficient, transparent, and accessible to all relevant stakeholders, and update regularly as needed.
Coordinate proposal enhancement activities, including peer review, mock panels, and consultation with program officers.
Percentage of time
55
Duties/Responsibilities
Identify and Investigate Funding Opportunities
Provide recommendations to leadership and project teams on strategic pursuit of funding opportunities.
Research high-value funding opportunities across federal, state, foundation, and corporate sources.
Analyze funding landscapes and competitive positioning beyond general research and assess alignment with PSO and institutional priorities.
Coordinate information-gathering activities and maintain an updated opportunities pipeline.
Provide insight into emerging funding trends and priorities to inform proposal development and strategic planning.
Percentage of time
20
Duties/Responsibilities
Build and Foster Collaborative Relationships
Support the development of sustained partnerships that enhance long-term funding opportunities and programmatic impact.
Cultivate strong, trust-based relationships with PSO units, academic colleges, and external partners, identifying opportunities for mutual support and collaboration.
Engage with campus entities such as OIBR and OVPR Office of Strategic Research Development to enhance funding proposals and foster interdisciplinary partnerships.
Build connections with faculty and staff within PSO and academic units to establish a collaborative network for future grant development.
Ensure that PSO's funding strategy aligns with broader university research and outreach priorities.
Percentage of time
15
Duties/Responsibilities
Provide Education and Guidance on Grant Management
Develop a structured grants training curriculum for PSO units.
Deliver grantsmanship workshops and training to PSO faculty and staff.
Develop accessible documentation, templates, and guidance materials.
Support understanding of the full grant lifecycle and best practices.
Provide advanced guidance on proposal development strategies and sponsor expectations.
Percentage of time
10
Contact Information
Recruitment Contact
Contact Details
For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.
Recruitment Contact Name
Mark Risse
Recruitment Contact Email
mrisse@uga.edu
Recruitment Contact Phone
Posting Specific Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
