Senior Manager-Grants

As the Senior Manager - Grants, you will lead and manage the Agency’s grant strategy, which is crucial for securing over $100 million in annual funding. You will oversee the entire grants process, from research and development to submission and compliance, ensuring alignment with the Agency’s long-term financial and strategic goals. This role involves representing the Agency in key funding negotiations and partnerships, particularly with organizations like the Puget Sound Regional Council and the Federal Transit Administration. Internally, you will collaborate with the executive team and various departments, including planning, project management, and government relations, to integrate grant opportunities into the Agency’s broader plans. Additionally, you will manage the Grants Team to ensure effective and compliant grant administration.

Strategic Planning and Coordination

• Develop overall grant funding strategy to maximize funding opportunities.  Ensure integration with the Agency’s budget, transit development, and long-range financial plans.
• Develop and manage strategic direction, ensuring compliance and oversight for all grants.
• Lead and advise Project Managers to plan and manage awarded funds.
• Lead and develop long-term forecasts of grant revenues and ensure integration within the Agency’s financial plan.

External Relations and Representation

• Acts on behalf of the Agency in funding negotiations.
• Advises the executive team and the Board on grant/funding strategies, positioning, and opportunities. 
• Represents the grants function and Community Transit with other departments, programs, and agencies, including the Puget Sound Regional Council and the Federal Transit Administration.
• Direct and manage FTA oversight and ensure compliance with regulations.
• Represent Agency on various external committees

Grants Administration and Compliance

• Manage grant cycle and agreements, from submission to close-out.
• Oversee grant opportunity research.  Write and review applications. 
• Oversee program and financial reporting in coordination with the finance team and program management staff.
• Develop and implement administrative controls, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with grant requirements.
• Direct and ensure audit readiness, documentation, and compliance for audits.  Represent Community Transit with the Federal Single Audit, FTA triennial review, and other funder audits or reviews.

Financial and Administrative Management

• Develop and manage the team’s annual budget.  Forecast future funding needs and oversee expenditures.
• Ensure and review documentation, data, and reports for grant revenue and expense accounting.
• Manage and conduct special projects.

Team Management

• Manage the daily activities of the Grants Team, including planning, managing, and reviewing staff and consulting contracts.
• Ensure staff are trained.  Encourage professional growth and manage employee relations.

Agency Values and Safety

• Promote the Agency’s core values and contribute to a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Follow Agency safety rules and integrate sustainability into business practices.

Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Business Administration, Management, Finance, or a related field
• Eight years of experience in federal grant administration and program development for a large organization, preferably involving public works and transit facilities.
• Six years of leadership, budgetary, planning, and workforce management experience.
• Eight years of progressive supervisory roles managing people.

An equivalent combination of education and experience to successfully perform the job duties is also accepted.

Knowledge Requirements

• Advanced standards, practices and procedures of grant development, monitoring, management, and reporting.
• Federal grant development, administration, and compliance, especially with the Federal Transit Administration.
• Methods and techniques of research, analysis, and statistical and report preparation.
• Project management principles and practices.
• Record keeping and reporting requirements and procedures.
• Working knowledge of PeopleSoft Financials or similar accounting software.
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and statues, including 2 CFR 200 (Federal Uniform Guidance).
• Regional and metropolitan transportation planning processes and requirements.

Skill Requirements

• Fostering an inclusive workplace by valuing and leveraging diversity, equity, and inclusion to uphold Community Transit’s Core Values and achieve the organization’s vision and mission. Inspiring and fostering team commitment, pride, and trust. Facilitating cooperation and motivating team members to accomplish group goals while treating others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect.

• Evaluating and analyzing technical grant activities and developing solutions.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with various stakeholders.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Supervisory principles and techniques.

Preferred Skills and Knowledge

• Project management certification

Working Conditions

Hybrid telework is available, typically 2 days on site (is required), 3 days remote (if requested).  Work is performed in an office environment and requires the use of office equipment and technology.  You will be required to move throughout and between different office buildings and may need to complete tasks in noisy environments. You may also be required to lift and carry materials up to 10 pounds occasionally.

Application and Selection Process

• Only on-line applications accepted.  
• Applicants for this job may be considered for other openings up to six months after the date this position is filled.
• Applicants who meet the minimum requirements may be scheduled for an interview as well as a variety of tests to demonstrate knowledge, and skills for the position.  The evaluation process may include interviews, background check, reference checks and various performance tests. 

Employee Benefits Exempt

• Employees (and their families) are covered by medical, dental, vision, basic life and disability insurance.
• Employees participate in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and have the option to enroll in the agency’s deferred compensation plan.
• In addition to WA Paid Sick Leave, employees in this position, accrue of 24 days of Paid Time off (192 hours) in their first year and ten (10) paid holidays throughout the calendar year.
• Full list of all benefits and details can be found here.

If you are related to, or share the same living quarters of a current Community Transit employee, please let your Human Resources Recruiter know as your eligibility for this position may be affected.

Community Transit provides a tobacco-free and drug-free work environment.  As a recipient of federal funds, Community Transit is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on a basis prohibited by Federal, State or Local law.  We value and encourage diversity in our workforce.  EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, protected veteran status or disability.