Senior Grant Strategist

At CHOOSE 180, we are on a mission to transform systems of injustice and support the young people who are too often impacted by these systems. Our vision is for a future where youthful behavior is decriminalized and young people are offered restorative practices in lieu of traditional prosecution.

We believe that every young person has the potential to achieve their goals and make a positive impact in the world. That's why we have created a workplace deeply rooted in the community, where passionate individuals come together to create meaningful change.

The Senior Grants and Contracts Manager plays a crucial role in our organization by seeking grants and managing contracts within CHOOSE 180. This position ensures that grants and contracts are aligned with our mission and implemented accordingly.

• Develop and implement grant strategies to secure funding from diverse sources, including government agencies, foundations, and corporations.
• Lead the development and management of funding pipelines to track and capture funding opportunities.
• Manage grant lifecycles, including identifying funding opportunities, proposal development, submission, and reporting.
• Identify and mitigate risk related to contract compliance, performance, and invoicing, developing and implementing improvements as necessary.
• Cultivate and strengthen relationships with grant-making organizations and funders to seek opportunities for partnership, collaboration, and long-term funding sustainability.
• Collaborate with the Finance and Program teams to monitor contract progress, track spending opportunities, and identify overspending trends.
• Lead post-award meetings with internal teams to ensure grant deliverables, budget, and reporting expectations are clearly communicated.
• Maintain accurate documentation of all contracts, including amendments, deliverables, and compliance checkpoints.
• Facilitate internal audits and external monitoring, ensuring timely access to necessary documentation and reporting tools.
• Manage grant proposal and contract management tools in a coordinated approach with accountants.

• Support staff with grants and contract-related tasks, including reporting and other duties as needed.
• Actively participate in the annual organizational budget review process, working collaboratively with the Finance and Executive team to ensure alignment between strategic goals and budget allocations.
• Participate in strategic discussions and decision-making in various meetings, contributing insights and perspectives to advance organizational objectives.
• Improve processes and procedures for sourcing grants and managing awards.
• Foster open communication channels between staff and organizational leadership, promoting transparency and inclusivity in decision-making processes.

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in grants and contract management.
• Proven success in securing and managing funding from government agencies, foundations, and corporate funders, ideally within a nonprofit or youth-focused organization.
• Strong knowledge of grant lifecycles, including prospecting, proposal writing, budgeting, compliance, reporting, and audit preparedness.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and mitigate risk related to contract compliance and performance.
• Experience managing complex funding pipelines, tracking deliverables, and ensuring timely and accurate reporting.
• Comfort working cross-functionally with program, finance, and leadership teams to align funding and organizational priorities.
• Skilled in developing and implementing systems to improve internal contract management processes and ensure compliance.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with transparency and accountability, grounded in community- and equity-centered values.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to funders, internal stakeholders, and community partners.
• Proficiency in using grant and project management software, as well as Excel or other budgeting tools.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity, social justice, and youth advocacy, aligned with our mission and culture.
• Bachelor's degree in public administration, nonprofit management, business, or a related field or a combination of education and relevant experience.

This position requires working some weekend days as well as attending after-hours events, and being available for consultation when needed. Additionally, this position may be called upon to compassionate de-escalation and crisis intervention involving youth and/or family members working through trauma.

CHOOSE 180 is committed to providing employees with a living wage and benefits package. The salary range for this position is $75,000 - $80,000. This position comes with medical, dental, and vision benefits, as well as generous paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and a wellness investment.

CHOOSE 180 is an equal opportunity employer regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, disabilities, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. Those who have experienced incarceration are encouraged to apply.