Senior Director, Grants Administration

Job Description

Job Description

The Senior Director of Grants Administration collaborates with colleagues across the organization to execute grants that achieve the strategic and philanthropic goals of The Chicago Community Trust. Responsibilities include developing, recommending, and implementing policies and procedures related to grants management, as well as providing leadership for interdepartmental activities regarding the execution and administration of Discretionary, Designated, and Donor Advised grants. The Senior Director of Grants Administration is responsive to the needs of grant seekers and internal staff, including Philanthropic Services, Community Impact, and Trust leadership, while providing coaching and mentorship to the Grants Administration team.

Position Responsibilities :

• Oversee the Grants Administration team to structure the work of executing all types of grant-making, including Discretionary, Designated, and Donor Advised grants.
• Manage, inspire, mentor, train, and evaluate the Grants Administration team to achieve departmental goals and support organizational objectives.
• Demonstrate intellectual curiosity to learn more about current grant making practices, industry best practices and strategic needs to evolve the team and organizational operations.
• Lead decision-making among colleagues to design and execute efficient and effective funding programs.
• Partner with Community Impact and Philanthropic Services teams to leverage the grants management system to best achieve the department's goals.
• Lead standardization, maintenance and improvement of grants policies and procedures, documentation, due diligence and compliance procedures and technology, reflecting strong internal controls and US GAAP compliance.
• Answer and manage external and internal inquiries about the Trust's grant program and specific funding opportunities. Communicate with grantees regarding their grant agreements, payments, and reports.
• Drive a culture of data-driven decision making when evaluating grant making and operational efficiency through the creation (or design) of reports, dashboard and trend analysis.
• Ensure all processes and procedures demonstrate respect to the donor's intentions and desired outcome.
• Plan grant cycles and deadlines in coordination with Community Impact and grant making program staff & partners.
• Oversee training of Trust staff on both grant procedures and grants management software; partner with the Innovation & Technology team on enhancement requirements and managing incremental releases of software improvements.
• Serve on various internal and interdepartmental committees as needed.

This description should not be construed to contain every function or responsibility that may be required to be performed by an incumbent in this job. Incumbents are required to perform other related functions as assigned.