Director of Grants and Contracts

The Director of Grants and Contracts is responsible for directing and managing all grant and contract activities across the organization. You will ensure compliance with policies, processes, and reporting requirements while leading teams to secure the resources necessary to fuel our mission. 

Lighthouse Youth & Family Services is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending youth homelessness and ensuring all young people in our community have access to vital care, including mental and behavioral health services, youth housing, emergency shelter, community juvenile justice services, residential treatment, and foster care and adoption.

We're seeking a Director of Grants and Contracts to join our development team. This is a high-impact leadership role for a professional who understands their ‘back office’ work provides a significant portion of the resources our organization and programs need to transform the lives of young people.

About the Role:

The Director of Grants and Contracts is responsible for directing and managing all grant and contract activities across the organization. You will ensure compliance with policies, processes, and reporting requirements while leading a team to secure the resources necessary to fuel our mission. This role reports to the Chief Development Officer and collaborates across departments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversees the research and review of potential funding sources (including grants and contracts for service) for new and existing services, ensuring each opportunity being sought matches Lighthouse’s mission, values, and capabilities.
• Leads teams of executive, financial, and senior operations personnel through defined processes and discussions to achieve the most competitive proposals within the requisite timelines including evaluation of grant opportunities, program design, proposal development, meetings/site visits with funders, contract negotiation, and post-award report preparation.
• Completes thorough contract reviews prior to signature by the organization’s leadership.
• Oversees compliance monitoring throughout the grant and contract cycle, ensuring grants are in compliance with established administrative and financial policies, procedures, and sound business practices.
• Supervises and guides the Grants Coordinator and works closely with them to prepare and submit compelling grant and contract proposals as well as comprehensive reporting.
• Ensures all areas of grant proposals are well-written, meet RFP requirements, and are submitted in a timely manner.
• Manages the recruiting, onboarding, training, and development of employees.
• Handles performance management and employee relation issues with support of HR.
• Monitors data quality in applicable systems to ensure data collected reflects grant, contract, and partnership requirements.
• Conducts internal grants and contracts training, as necessary.

What You Bring:

• Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Social Work, Writing, English, or a closely related field.
• At least five (5) years of progressive administrative experience in a nonprofit or similar setting.
• At least three to four (3-4) years of experience in grant writing.
• Strong understanding of federal grant regulations.
• Proven grant writing ability with excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Analytical mindset capable of assessing large amounts of data and business policy.

• Preferred Education and Experience:

• Experience using contract management software, preferably Contract Safe.
• Experience using a donor database, preferably Raiser’s Edge.
• Experience using project management software.

• Additional Eligibility:

• Strong customer service orientation.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• High level of computer proficiency and attention to detail.

Why Work with Lighthouse Youth & Family Services?

Join an organization that values its employees and the critical work they do. We foster a great culture and work environment where you can have a rewarding career that impacts the lives of youth and families.

• Rewarding Career: Make a difference in the lives of youth.
• Respected Agency: Work for a diverse, seasoned, and well-respected agency with an engaged leadership team.
• Competitive Compensation: Enjoy a competitive salary.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Benefit from 23 days of prorated PTO based on your hire date.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, including company-paid life and long-term disability insurance.
• Retirement Planning: 401k Retirement Plan including a company match (up to 6%).
• Continuing Education Support: Tuition Reimbursement and Student Loan Payment Reimbursement ($5,250 per year).
• Loan Forgiveness Eligibility: Qualify for the Department of Education’s Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Employee Perks: YMCA Discounts, Cell Phone Discounts, and Pet Insurance.
• Wellness & Support: Employee Assistance Program and an engaging Wellness Program.
• Paid Leave Options: Parental, Bereavement, and Jury Duty.
• Professional Development: Paid training and professional development opportunities.
• Referral Bonus Program: Opportunity to earn bonuses for referring qualified candidates.

If you're ready to leverage your skills for a cause that matters, we encourage you to apply!