Grant Writer & Research Manager

Job Summary

We are seeking a candidate who possesses a strong research background, exceptional grant-writing skills, and the ability to lead complex projects that advance innovation and economic development initiatives. This role will lead grant development and management activities, support Utah organizations in securing external funding, and conduct research and analysis on key statewide innovation and economic development priorities.

Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and maintain a pipeline of federal, state, foundation, and industry grant opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.
• Led the development, writing, and submission of competitive grant proposals and funding applications.
• Cook up grant timelines, deliverables, reporting requirements, and post-award compliance activities.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to develop project scopes, budgets, work plans, and evaluation metrics.
• Maintain records of grant activities, funding outcomes, proposal submissions, and reporting obligations.
• Conduct original research and analysis on innovation, technology commercialization, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and economic development trends impacting Utah.
• Develop research reports, white papers, policy briefs, and presentations for public and private sector stakeholders.
• Support the development of metrics and frameworks for measuring innovation ecosystem performance and impact.
• Provide grant support and technical assistance to Utah-based startups, universities, nonprofits, economic development organizations, and community partners seeking external funding.
• Facilitate collaboration among research institutions, industry partners, government agencies, and community organizations.
• Represent the organization in meetings, conferences, workshops, and stakeholder engagements across Utah's innovation ecosystem.

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to attend events outside of normal working hours as needed.
• Willingness to travel for projects, meetings, and institutional site visits.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 6 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 4 years of directly related work experience.
• Assumes work equivalency (1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience).

Preferences

• Ph.D. in a relevant field such as public policy, economics, business, engineering, science, technology, innovation studies, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience serving as Principal Investigator (PI) or leading major research and grant-funded projects.