Grants and Contracts Manager

Essential Functions:

• Works closely with the Executive Director and Associate Director of the Educating Character Initiative to develop the structure and application for the granting initiative and to coordinate and review grant application budgets and receipt of all proposal materials.

• Assists proposal writers in applying for grant opportunities, aids in determining appropriate guidelines and regulatory requirements, and works with the organizations to prepare budgets and fulfill other requirements. 

• Develops, negotiates, reviews and finalizes all sub-contracts and tracks and monitors maintenance coverage periods, contract dates, invoice due dates, and amounts due.

• Manages over 100 grants and subcontracts to external institutions, including grants to individuals. Maintains and reconciles detailed budgets for each grant or subcontract; advises and/or determines which expenditures are within budget guidelines; informs management of irregularities; and proceeds with corrective action. 

• Provides ongoing communication and support to grantees to ensure accountability and the success of their programs and works as a liaison between the individual institutions and the Program staff. 

• Ensures timely submission of sub-grantee reports and reviews reports from sub-contractees to ensure that budget and program goals are being met in accordance to the guidelines in the contract.

• Compiles and reviews progress reports for internal and external stakeholders, including the Program leadership, faculty/staff, Research & Sponsored Programs, and funding agencies.

• Assists with reports and proposals related to grantmaking efforts.

• Serves as a department liaison to coordinate grantmaking procedures with Wake Forest’s Office of Research and Sponsored Projects and the Legal Department.

• Works with the Business Manager to ensure that grants and sub-contracts comply with University accounting policies and procedures.

• Works with the Business Manager to oversee the system for releasing funds to grantees as well as receipt, processing and approval of invoices and expenditure requests from sub-contracts.

• Assists Associate Director with interviewing and selecting external consultants and manages the contract negotiation and ongoing consulting relationships with those individuals. 

• Works with ECI Grants Team to ensure coordination of operations, activities, and timelines with program officer liaisons as well as ECI Finance.

• Works with the ECI Research team on ensuring necessary data collection, management, and retrieval.

• Works with the Associate and Assistant Director of Partnerships to maintain a system of contacts and communications with key partners.

• Assists the Director of Communications with gathering relevant information from the sub-grantees to disseminate advertisements and resources. 

• Takes an active role on a dynamic, collaborative, and fast-paced team.

• May supervise support staff as needed.

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Bachelor’s Degree in business or related field plus three years of progressively more responsible accounting/management experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Knowledge of office and administrative practices and principles.

• Knowledge and skill in developing and reviewing contracts, accounting and budget preparation/management.

• Contract administration experience. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite.

• Well-developed planning, administrative, and project management skills; ability to establish goals, prioritize tasks, and mobilize resources in a time-critical environment.

• Strong interpersonal and communications skills, both verbally and in writing. Ability to develop and nurture relationships with organizations and individuals having diverse professional expertise.

• Ability to analyze and solve problems, make decisions, and proactively respond to grant budgeting issues and needs. Ability to analyze and interpret policy and procedural questions.

• Strong critical thinking skills with careful attention to detail.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks under pressure and adapt rapidly to changing priorities; excellent time management skills; ability to organize personal workflow.

• Ability to work independently and acquire knowledge of new systems in a short time period.

• Good character, sound judgment, and a strong work ethic.  

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Experience in grantmaking.

• Experience with Salesforce and Workday.

• Demonstrated proficiency in contract law, including interpreting and constructing contractual language.

• CRFA designation, or equivalent.

• Familiarity with higher education.

• Familiarity with leadership and/or character education.
   

Accountabilities:

• Works under minimal supervision.  

• Responsible for own work.

• Budgetary responsibilities
   

Physical Requirements:

• Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting and standing. 
   

Environmental Conditions:

• No adverse environmental conditions expected.