Associate Director, Strategic Development and Grants Management

Overview

Associate Director, Strategic Development and Grants Management

Position Title & Department:
Associate Director, Strategic Development and Grants Management;
Joan

B. Kroc School of Peace Studies

Posting #
5453

Department Description:
The Kroc School of Peace Studies trains the changemakers and peace builders of today and tomorrow. Kroc is the first stand-alone school of peace in the United States. Innovation in learning and programs is at the center of what we do and who we are. We combine theory and practice not just to understand crises and world issues, but also to imagine new possibilities and develop solutions to humanity's urgent challenges from increasing inequality and violence to climate change.

At Kroc, people discover new ways of building more peaceful and socially just communities through a multidisciplinary lens and experiential learning. We look for passionate individuals who believe in the power of university learning to transform the world for the better.

University Description:
The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background.

The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity's urgent challenges.

Detailed Description:
The Associate Director leads strategic development and grant acquisition for the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, serving as the architect and implementer of the Institute's external funding infrastructure. The role designs, launches, and manages systems and strategies to diversify and grow the Institute for Peace and Justice's funding base; scans and qualifies opportunities; convenes interdisciplinary teams; and translates complex concepts into competitive, fundable proposals.

As the Institute's principal grant writer and strategist with a mandate for growth, the position develops proposals that may span and leverage multiple programs, divisions, and campuses, and oversees the full lifecycle from cultivation and narrative development to submission, compliance, and reporting. This builder role combines strategic analysis, relationship cultivation, exceptional writing, and project management to expand external funding and institutional impact during a period of organizational growth.

Strategic Grants Development and Proposal Leadership

• Leads the conceptualization, coordination, and drafting of large-scale, multi-partner grant proposals that advance the mission and visibility of the Kroc School of Peace Studies and the Institute for Peace and Justice (IPJ).
• Serves as the primary author and project architect for competitive proposals across philanthropic, corporate, and governmental funders.
• Identifies and analyzes funding opportunities; convenes and facilitates interdisciplinary teams of faculty and staff to shape ideas into fundable projects; and develops narratives, budgets, timelines, and supporting materials that meet institutional and sponsor requirements.
• Ensures all proposals reflect the intellectual rigor and strategic priorities of the School.
• Coordinates closely with the Office of Sponsored Programs and the Finance and Operations staff to ensure accurate budget design and a seamless transition from pre-award to post-award management.

Strategic Relationship Cultivation and Donor Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with program officers, foundation staff, and other potential funders.
• Represent the IPJ and Kroc School in funder meetings, conferences, and strategic dialogues.
• Partner with the Dean and University Advancement to align external funding with School and University priorities.
• Contribute to donor engagement materials and events that…