Assistant Director for Research Partnerships & Strategic Initiatives (Part-Time)

**Working Title:** **Assistant Director for Research Partnerships & Strategic Initiatives (Part-Time)** **State Role Title:** Lab/Research Assistant **Position Type:** Part-time - Wage / Part-time Salaried **Position Status:** Part-Time **FLSA Status:** Non-Exempt: Eligible for Overtime **College/Division:** Office of the President Unit **Department:** 100191 - JMU Center for Civic Engagement **Pay Band:** **Pay Rate:** Hourly **Specify Range or Amount:** $30 **Is this a JMU only position?** No **Is this a grant-funded position?** No **Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position?** No **Beginning Review Date:** 7/23/2026 **About JMU:** At James Madison University (JMU), we’re more than just a publicly funded institution — we’re a vibrant, welcoming community located on a stunning campus where innovation, collaboration, and personal growth thrive. Our mission is to prepare students for a bright future, and we believe that starts with supporting the people who make it all possible: our employees. JMU offers several perks to all employees including: • A Tuition Waiver Program that allows employees to have tuition waived for undergraduate and graduate level courses taken at JMU. • Free Access to the University Recreation Center (UREC): Employees can enjoy facility access and program registration privileges at UREC and University Park. This includes the climbing wall, equipment centers, and group exercise studios. • A variety of voluntary benefits such as Pet Insurance, Identity Theft and Legal Protection Plans, and several other supplemental benefits. • Holiday Breaks: The university is granted 12 holidays a year. • Talent Development Trainings: The Talent Development department offers a wide variety of personal and professional trainings, eligible for all employees to join. At JMU, we believe in Being the Change — and that starts with creating an environment where you can grow, contribute meaningfully, and feel supported every step of the way. Discover what makes JMU a great place to work: bit.ly/JMUEmployment **General Information:** As the Madison Center for Civic Engagement advances as a Research Center of Excellence at James Madison University, the Assistant Director of Research Development supports the growth and sustainability of the Center’s research and sponsored project portfolio. This role provides both strategic and operational support for grant development (pre-award), contributes to research design and dissemination, and supports post-award coordination in collaboration with Center leadership and staff. The Assistant Director plays a key role in advancing the Center’s research mission by identifying funding opportunities, supporting the development of competitive grant proposals, and strengthening research capacity across faculty, staff, and students. This position bridges grant development with the Center’s broader research, evaluation, and civic engagement initiatives. **Duties and Responsibilities:** Research Development & Strategy • Collaborate with Center leadership to advance the Madison Center’s research agenda, including identifying priority areas and funding strategies. • Coordinate with the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) and Corporate & Foundation Relations (CFR) to build and sustain a pipeline of grant and funding opportunities aligned with the Madison Center’s mission. • Support the development of research frameworks, study designs, and evaluation approaches aligned with Center initiatives. • Assist in cultivating and sustaining research partnerships across campus, K–12 partners, and national networks. • Contribute to the development of research outputs, including reports, white papers, presentations, and publications. Post-Award Support & Coordination • Support the development and implementation of post-award tracking systems to monitor progress and ensure alignment with grant deliverables and reporting requirements. • Collaborate with Center staff to track project milestones, evaluation metr…