Grants Manager

Grants Manager                    

Job Description                                                                        

CSRS is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Grants Manager to oversee and manage federal grants, as well as support the application development and submittal for federal and state funded grants on behalf of our clients. The Grants Manager (GM) at CSRS is responsible for providing grant requirement expertise to our clients, and for the successful administration, compliance, and reporting of federal grants in accordance with applicable regulations and guidelines, especially related to federal procurement requirements. The Grant Manager’s expertise in grant management, financial analysis, and compliance will play a critical role in ensuring efficient and effective utilization of grant funds to achieve program and our clients’ objectives. This technical role serves CSRS clients by transforming their challenges into opportunities by developing projects, identifying associated competitive funding options, and capturing funding through strong and winning proposal applications.  The GM works closely with team members across CSRS’s disciplines to meet grant deadlines and lead grant development activities for our clients.

The Grants Manager often serves as a liaison between the client and funding agency and responds to the funding agency’s inquiries regarding award determinations, eligibility determinations, and for use in supporting a funding request. They provide expert advice and assistance on strategies, compliance, and policies and procedures as they relate to the grant programs and assist with the closeout of the project grant. Finally, the GM identifies potential hurdles to grant applications, execution, and project delivery, and coordinates their resolution and performs other assignments as required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Grant Administration: Manage the full lifecycle of federal grants, including pre-award activities, proposal development, budgeting, award acceptance, and post-award management. Ensure compliance with grant terms, conditions, and reporting requirements.
• Compliance Oversight: Stay up to date with federal regulations, policies, and procedures related to grant management. Ensure adherence to applicable regulations and guidelines throughout the grant lifecycle, including financial management, procurement, recordkeeping, and reporting. This also includes:
  • Sub-recipient monitoring
  • Sub-recipient financial management
  • Domestic purchasing and acquisitions
  • Resource recovery
• Budgeting and Financial Analysis: Develop, monitor, and analyze grant budgets to ensure proper allocation and utilization of funds. Conduct regular financial reviews, reconcile expenses, identify cost savings opportunities, and provide accurate financial reports to project stakeholders.
• Reporting and Documentation: Prepare timely and accurate reports, both narrative and financial, for submission to federal agencies as required. Maintain comprehensive grant files and documentation to support audits and compliance reviews.
• Development of Grant Program Rules:  Prepare Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Policies and procedures (P&Ps) relevant to the federal grant program and any sub-recipient programs applicable.
• Collaboration and Communication: Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure effective coordination and communication regarding grant requirements, progress, and outcomes. Foster strong relationships with federal agency representatives and serve as the primary point of contact for grant-related inquiries.
• Performance Evaluation: Develop and implement performance measurement systems to assess program outcomes and progress towards grant objectives. Monitor program performance indicators, evaluate results, and identify areas for improvement or adjustments to meet grant requirements.
• Risk Management: Identify potential risks and challenges associated with grant implementation and take proactive measures to mitigate them. Implement risk management strategies, including contingency plans, to ensure smooth grant operations and minimize disruptions.
• Manages projects and the production of grant deliverables, including grant applications, data integration to support grants and projects, and reports.
• Establishes and maintains primary contacts and positive relationships with clients.
• Delivers content and provides guidance and perspective for a variety of grant related initiatives for the firm.
• Supports or leads the content development for resilience and recovery proposal efforts when needed.
• Conducts research to understand the history, structure, objectives, programs and financial needs of clients.
• Conducts research on grant opportunities from government and non-government agencies.
• Draft grant proposals and supporting documents based on the funding requirements of the clients.
• Submits application packages to management and clients for review, input and approval, and incorporates feedback and/or answers questions to strengthen the application package.
• Maintains positive relationships with funding providers and other stakeholders.
• Maintains records and submits reports related to grant opportunities.
• Shares knowledge and information with team members to improve processes and services for the betterment of the team and our clients.
• Provides strategic advice to clients on successful approaches and problem resolution methodologies.
• If needed, manages team efforts to deliver quick turn arounds on nationally competitive grant submissions which could include: NOFO compliance, preliminary scoping, engineering, mapping and data analysis, benefit cost analyses, narrative development, state and federal agency engagement, desktop environmental reviews and other relevant items.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., public administration, finance, or business management). A master's degree is preferred.
• Proven experience in managing federal grants, preferably within a contracting or consulting environment.
• In-depth knowledge of federal grant regulations, policies, and procedures, such as the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200).
• Experience in managing grants, such as CDBG (DR and/or MIT), FEMA HMGP, FEMA BRIC, and other grants from EPA, EDA, Dept. of Education, HRSA, ARPA, and IIJA, is highly desirable. Experience in CDBG (DR and/or MIT) is particularly important in this position.
• Strong financial acumen, with experience in budget development, financial analysis, and reporting.
• Understands benefit cost analysis approaches for multiple state and federal agencies.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple grants and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to anticipate challenges and propose effective solutions.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively convey complex information to diverse stakeholders.
• Proficient in using grant management software and financial management systems.
• Familiarity with program evaluation methodologies and performance measurement frameworks is desirable.
• Professional certifications are an asset.
• Strong ability to work effectively with peers and in a team setting as well as independently.
• Working to proficient knowledge of current federal grant application/management portals.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)