Early Learning Grants Manager

Early Learning Grants Manager

The Early Learning Grants Manager plays a vital role in advancing equitable early learning outcomes by ensuring the effective administration of grants that fund and sustain our region's early learning systems. This position oversees all aspects of grant and contract management for both Early Learning Washington County (ELWC) and Early Learning Multnomah (ELM)two regional Early Learning Hubs for which United Way of the Columbia-Willamette (UWCW) serves as the backbone organization.

Serving as both a steward of public and private funds and a strategic partner to the early learning community, the Grants Manager ensures compliance with all federal, state, and private funder requirements while building strong, trust-based relationships with subcontractors and partners. This role bridges financial oversight and community impactsupporting transparent, equitable, and results-driven implementation that aligns resources with shared goals for children and families.

Working closely with the Senior Director of Education Initiatives, Hub Directors, UWCW's Impact and Finance teams, and external partners, the Grants Manager helps ensure that investments in early learning are administered effectively, transparently, and in alignment with community priorities and equity commitments.

Early Learning Multnomah and Early Learning Washington County are two of Oregon's 16 regional Early Learning Hubs that connect and coordinate services for young children and families. Funded by the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC), the Hubs are designed to align early learning and care services for children from birth to age sixespecially those facing barriers due to race, income, language, or geography. By centering family voice and aligning priorities, funding, and services, the Hubs bring local leaders together to build shared vision and collective action for equitable outcomes.

This is a grant-funded position.

Key Accountabilities

Grant, Contract, and Fiscal Oversight 50%

• Ensure all early learning grants and sub-contracts across both hubs are in compliance with all federal, state, and private funder requirements, timelines, and documentation standards.
• Collaborate with Senior Director of Education Initiatives, Hub Directors and Finance staff to track, monitor and reconcile budgets
• Review subcontractor contracts, budgets, invoices, and supporting documentation for accuracy, allowability, and compliance with organizational and funder guidelines.
• Process invoices and internal expenditures for both hubs, ensuring timely and accurate financial documentation.
• Develop and maintain systems for tracking deadlines and reporting requirements across multiple grants.
• Promote fiscal transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement across both Hubs, identifying opportunities to strengthen systems and capacity.

Data, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement 25%

Program and Partner Support & Collaboration 15%

Cross-Team Collaboration & Culture 10%

Required Competencies and Skills

Equity & Cultural Competency

Fiscal & Administrative Oversight

Collaboration & Relationship Building

Data-Informed Decision Making

Communication & Organization

Additional Competencies and Required Skills

Supervision and Working Relationships

Supervisory Direction Received : Position works under the general direction of the Sr. Director of Education Initiatives

Requires planning and arranging of own work in relation to overall set objectives

Work subject to review and evaluation by the Sr. Director of Education Initiatives

Working Relationships : United Way staff and volunteers; funded community partners; local, regional and state government staff and leaders

Supervises : This role does not supervise staff

Resources & Support : United Way provides administrative support, professional development opportunities, and access to internal systems and tools necessary for program management and fiscal oversight.

Education, Skills, Experience, and Training Required for this Position

Physical Requirements

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. This is not an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities,