Manager, Grants - National Office (Remote)

Location: Chicago, IL, US

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

Overview

The Manager, Grants manages the execution of subgrants awarded by YMCA of the USA to local YMCAs in support of organizational and programmatic priorities. The role coordinates multiple stages of the subgrant lifecycle in partnership with internal teams and is responsible for supporting applicants and grantees throughout the grant process.

 

The Manager advances Y-USA’s priorities by managing consistent sub-granting processes and systems, ensuring timely execution, and providing responsive operational support to local Ys and internal stakeholders.

 

The Financial Development department secures and sustains the philanthropic resources that power the organization’s mission on a national scale. Connecting donors and their resources directly to transformative programs and people at both Y-USA and the local community level, the department leads comprehensive fundraising strategies across corporate and foundation partnerships, individual giving, major and principal gifts, and planned giving. Through strong donor relationships, data driven practices, and cross organizational collaboration with YMCAs across the country, Financial Development aligns philanthropic investment with strategic priorities, driving urgent and measurable impact in service to millions of individuals and families every day. Its work ensures the organization’s long-term financial strength not only for today but for years to come. 

Responsibilities

• Manage communication of subgrant opportunities, including application announcements, timelines, and applicant guidance, while identifying opportunities to enhance clarity and applicant experience
• Build and manage subgrant timelines in partnership with project teams and grants leadership, ensuring alignment with funding priorities and operational capacity
• Coordinate application and review processes, including eligibility verification, scoring, documentation of funding decisions, and communication of award outcomes, while recommending workflow or process improvements where appropriate
• Manage subgrant execution processes, including payments, returns, modifications, extensions, and closeout activities to ensure timely and accurate grant delivery 
• Administer and configure the Y-USA Grants Portal (SmartSimple) by building forms and workflows, maintaining data integrity, managing user access, troubleshooting system issues, and supporting day-to-day grantmaking operations, while identifying system enhancements and automation opportunities
• Lead applicant and grantee support, clarifying grant expectations, reviewing modification and extension requests, and ensuring all inquiries receive timely and thoughtful resolution
• Provide technical assistance to applicants and grantees throughout the application and award process, including system navigation, documentation guidance, and readiness support, and develop tools or resources that strengthen applicant success
• Monitor grant activities, deliverables, and reporting to ensure compliance with established requirements, analyzing trends to inform operational improvements
• Analyze applications and reports to identify trends and inform process improvements
• Collaborate with internal teams to support reporting, communications, and grantmaking operations, while contributing to cross-functional initiatives and knowledge sharing

Qualifications

A successful candidate will possess a majority of the following professional and personal attributes and competencies:

• Bachelors degree in business or a related field; equivalent relevant professional experience will also be considered.
• 4-8 years of experience required
• Advanced functional skills
• Intermediate industry knowledge and experience
• Entry to intermediate managerial skills
• Complex/advanced functional and operations tasks
• Manages a team or function
• High degree of decision-making within own area
• Focused on policy and strategy implementation for short-term results
• Internal and external communications
• High influence over teams and within the function
• May set goals and objectives for team members for achievement of operational results

Benefits

We offer a full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, defined benefit plan (retirement savings), defined contribution plan (403(b) plan, life and disability insurances, technology stipend, and generous paid time off, all in a work from anywhere within the continental U.S. workplace.

Posted Salary Range

USD $75,000.00 - USD $89,000.00 /Yr.