DESCRIPTION
Job Summary: The Director of Strategic Grants & Proposals is a leadership role responsible for leading YFA’s grant development and proposal strategy. This position identifies, evaluates, and pursues public and private funding opportunities aligned with YFA’s mission, strategic priorities, organizational capacity, and growth goals.
As the organization’s lead grant writer and proposal development professional, the Director manages grant applications, government funding proposals, and competitive RFP responses from planning through submission. The Director works closely with operations, finance, quality improvement, and executive leadership teams to develop compelling narratives, budgets, and supporting materials that communicate organizational impact and funding needs.
In addition to the duties and requirements listed below, YFA expects employees to be committed to incorporating principles of trauma-informed care in all areas of service delivery. Commitment to these principles is demonstrated through active participation in agency-required trainings, use of trauma-informed practices, and understanding that trauma-informed environments require cultural sensitivity and an emphasis on a safe and respectful environment for all.
Essential Job Functions:
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Conduct ongoing scans of local, state, federal, foundation, and corporate funding opportunities to identify potential revenue sources.
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Evaluate funding opportunities for alignment with YFA’s mission, strategic plan, organizational capacity, and growth goals.
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Lead go/no-go decision-making processes and coordinate proposal development activities across departments and programs.
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Serve as the organization’s primary lead for drafting, editing, and submitting grant applications, funding proposals, and competitive RFP responses.
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Manage all aspects of proposal development, including narrative creation, budget development, document collection, compliance review, quality assurance, packaging, and submission.
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Assemble proposal development teams, assign responsibilities, and ensure accountability for deliverables.
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Manage cross-functional grant and proposal teams to ensure timely completion of high-quality submissions.
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Identify and track key proposal requirements, deadlines, compliance needs, and supporting documentation.
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Develop and review grant and contract budgets in partnership with finance and program leadership.
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Coordinate collection of organizational data, program outcomes, and performance metrics required for competitive submissions.
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Conduct technical reviews of proposal narratives, attachments, and supporting documents to ensure quality, consistency, and compliance.
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Facilitates the transition of approved grant and proposal requirements to the Director of Projects and Initiatives for implementation and oversight.
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Provide training and technical assistance to staff on grant development, grants management, and funding best practices.
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Develop and maintain proposal development tools, templates, and best practices to improve efficiency and quality.
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Support relationship-building with funders, community partners, and collaborators to strengthen funding opportunities.
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Promote a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, learning, and commitment to quality.
The above duties and responsibilities describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to the job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities that an incumbent may be expected or asked to perform.
REQUIREMENTS
Education & Experience:
Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred. At least five (5) years of progressive experience in grant writing, proposal development, fundraising, grants management, contract administration, or nonprofit development is required. Professional certifications, such as Grant Professional Certified (GPC), Certified Grants Management Specialist (CGMS), or Project Management Professional (PMP), are preferred but not required.
Preferred knowledge and understanding of trauma-informed principles and practices, including the importance of creating a safe environment, fostering trust, promoting collaboration, and empowering individuals.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):
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Proven ability to lead strategic and operational grant development, proposal management, and administrative initiatives.
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Ability to analyze funding trends, assess opportunities, and recommend pursuits aligned with organizational priorities.
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Strong relationship-building skills with funders, community partners, collaborators, and internal stakeholders.
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Creative and strategic thinker with the ability to develop and execute effective growth and funding strategies.
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Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and apply critical thinking in complex situations.
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Excellent judgment and problem-solving skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution.
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Effective communicator with the ability to work collaboratively with diverse staff, clients, partners, and the public.
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Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to engage executive leadership, the YFA Board of Directors, and staff.
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Ability to facilitate meetings and group discussions while effectively managing varied group dynamics.
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Ability to function effectively as both a leader and a contributing team member.
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Flexible, collaborative, proactive, and committed to continuous improvement.
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Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and related productivity tools.
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Skilled in active listening and creating respectful, supportive spaces for individuals to express concerns without judgment or blame.
Physical Requirements: Ability to travel statewide on a regular basis; lift up to 30 pounds; and bend, stand, or sit for extended periods of time.
