Grants Director

This position is responsible for developing and executing grant funding strategies, identifying new funding opportunities, strengthening funder relationships, and directing the overall performance of the Grants Office. 

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Grants Director provides strategic leadership for LifeCare Alliance’s Grants Office and serves as a member of the Agency Leadership team. This position is responsible for developing and executing grant funding strategies, identifying new funding opportunities, strengthening funder relationships, and directing the overall performance of the Grants Office. The Grants Director manages grants personnel and departmental operations while exercising independent judgment in establishing priorities, recommending funding strategies, and implementing process improvements. Working under the general direction of the Vice President of Grants & Strategic Planning, this position requires significant autonomy and decision-making authority.

Work requires attention to detail, excellent organization, writing and communication skills as well as the ability to multitask and meet deadlines. The Grants Director is responsible for all procedural and compliance aspects of grant requests and grant monitoring. The position provides guidance and logistical support in the search for project and funding opportunities and leads proposal development, budgeting, and submission. Grants Director is also responsible for Grants Office general improvements including funder cultivation and program communication. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Vice President of Grants & Strategic Planning and in cooperation with other Agency personnel.

This position always requires a professional demeanor, will be of a confidential nature, and requires balancing the administrative office duties and meeting with funders, donors and sponsors to increase fundraising revenues. Work requires an understanding of general office practices and an understanding of the inter-workings of the Agency, its programs, and fundraising revenue. It also requires performing multiple tasks with multiple deadlines.

PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Manage team of associates in the Grants Office providing supervision, direction, and delegation to direct reports.
• Manage grants calendar, including timely and accurate recording of organizational information, letters of inquiry, grant proposals, grant approvals, grant payments, and reporting requirements.
• Lead efforts of Grants Office internal process improvements and funder cultivation strategies.
• Develop and implement annual and multi-year grants strategies aligned with Agency priorities.
• Evaluate and pursue new funding opportunities that support organizational growth and sustainability.
• Set Grants Office annual metrics and maintain quarterly updates.
• Lead the ongoing grant management improvement process of current awards through monitoring progress on financial, programmatic, and outcome-related goals.
• Ensure receipt of proper documentation for grant payments, including countersigned agreements, and grant reports on agreements.
• Maintain official grant files that comply with legal, auditing and Foundation requirements. Ensure consistency of grant records to include letters of inquiry, grant proposals, grant agreement letters, grant payments, grantee reports, grant-related documents and materials, and all official correspondences.
• Work with LifeCare Alliance’s Finance department on accurate recording of grants awarded and grant payments.
• Assisting in maintaining and managing data int the grants management database, and donor database, DonorPerfect. Instrumental in keeping with Agency and team standards.
• Serve as a member of the Agency Leadership team and participate in organizational planning and decision-making.

Performs other departmental and agency functions, as necessary. This includes providing back-up coverage for the Volunteer team, attending Agency functions, attending, and participating in departmental meetings and committees as necessary and performing other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum of seven years’ work experience in philanthropy or in the nonprofit sector in a grant writing capacity with a bachelor’s degree required. Demonstrated experience in database management system or comparable electronic grants management system. Strong knowledge of computer applications, including MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, including chart preparation. Effective Internet search skills as well as ability to learn new programs and software. Ability to understand and effectively communicate the Agency’s mission and possess familiarity with community health and/or gerontology.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Full-time employment working eight (8) hours per day, forty hours per week, between 8 a.m. opening and 5 p.m. closing, Monday through Friday; schedule may change to include potential early morning, weekend or evening hours.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills, including a high level of professionalism and a positive attitude.
• Ability to act independently to organize, determine priorities, and implement assignments.
• Must have strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to maintain discretion and integrity in handling confidential information.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, staff, and volunteers.
• Ability to maintain discretion and integrity in handling confidential information.
• Ability to prioritize and complete multiple job assignments received from multiple staff members.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, staff members, agency Board Members, clients, and members of the community.