PCM Grant and Programs Manager

Job purpose 

This position works under the direction of the Director of Precision Conservation Management (PCM) and the primary function is to oversee contract and grant development, deadlines, and deliverables for the PCM program.  PCM is a farmer service program led by the Illinois Corn Growers Association and Illinois Soybean Association in partnership with 30 other partners.  The mission of PCM is to increase conservation practice adoption using data analysis and farm business management principles.  This position is responsible for overseeing all aspects of PCM grants and contract, and assisting with operationalizing staff responsibilities to assure that those responsibilities are met.  This position will work with other PCM staff to track PCM program performance to assure that partner commitments and grant expectations are met and will include working with staff at IL Corn Growers Association and IL Soybean Association on invoicing and budgeting issues, representing PCM at meetings (as needed), and attending to correspondences with current and potential partners.  This is an in-office position, working remotely with periodic travel regionally within the Midwest. Position will require weekly meetings (combination of in-person and/or virtual) and approximately three mandatory in-person team meetings annually with other PCM staff.   

 Duties and responsibilities 

• Collaborate with the PCM Director on management, administrative, and implementation issues related to PCM grants and contract and maintain concise but open communication with PCM team members on all aspects of project performance and implementation.
• Manage all aspects of grant execution to comply with various funding agency guidelines (public & private), deadlines, and regulations; including but not limited to the annual work plans, output documentation, report preparation, and budget management.
• Identify opportunities and challenges in meeting PCM objectives and work with PCM staff to address issues and meet goals.
• Conduct and coordinate internal and external communications related to PCM partnerships, programs, and grants.  Communicate with new partners and manage relationships with existing partners.
• Coordinate and execute strategic and programmatic activities of the PCM program.
• Develop and implement tracking system for grant budgets and deliverables.
• Work with IL Corn staff to reconcile monthly funds coding, quarterly invoices, & reimbursements. 
• Work with the PCM Director to approve reimbursement requests.
• Oversee the management of quarterly payment agreements and signatures w/ SWCD offices and other contractors.
• Work with the PCM Director to draft and submit performance reports to funding agencies (USDA-NRCS, private foundations, and associations) that track financial and performance aspects of grants.
• Provide input that assists with PCM staff performance evaluations.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Education: Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in agronomics, economics or related field
• Experience: Minimum 5 years of managing grants and contracts
• Required Skills: •Budget management •Ability to act independently and use sound judgment in responding on behalf of project/PCM. •Excellent analytical skills and abilities •Excellent English writing and communications skills •Strong interpersonal and team-working skills.
• Preferred Skills: M.S. agronomics, economics or related field •Report writing •Grant writing •Reimbursements & invoicing •Grant management •Experience managing/coordinating projects •Proficiency in information and communication technologies •Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite software.

 Qualifications 

• Education: Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in agronomics, economics or related field
• Experience: Minimum 5 years of managing grants and contracts
• Required Skills: •Budget management •Ability to act independently and use sound judgment in responding on behalf of project/PCM. •Excellent analytical skills and abilities •Excellent English writing and communications skills •Strong interpersonal and team-working skills.
• Preferred Skills: M.S. agronomics, economics or related field •Report writing •Grant writing •Reimbursements & invoicing •Grant management •Experience managing/coordinating projects •Proficiency in information and communication technologies •Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite software.