The grant specialist will work on development and grant administration functions within TLG by developing grant applications, coordinating grant activity among involved parties, ensuring grant activities and expenditures are properly documented, and exploring new sources and opportunities for grant-funded programs at Leona-managed schools. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.  

• Develop, write, and submit consolidated/categorical grant applications on behalf of Leona’s Midwest schools.
• Monitor the status of grant applications and coordinate with the budget and finance department to draw down funds promptly. Track and review grant expenditure requests and advise about their appropriateness; identify problematic requests and work with school leaders and the budget department to resolve them.
• Research, develop, write and submit competitive grant applications as appropriate. Ensure coordination between staff, contractors and school personnel on grant applications being written.
• Maintain ongoing communication with school personnel to understand school needs, identify and seek appropriate funding opportunities, prepare high quality applications, and implement approved grant-funded programs in a manner which effectively supports school objectives. 
• Ensure grants compliance. Communicate effectively with school and corporate personnel to monitor the appropriateness of grant expenditures, create necessary documentation, and respond to audits. Resolve audit needs or concerns in an effective and timely manner by working cooperatively with school, corporate and external parties.
• Maintain up to date knowledge of the regulatory environment and inform others of issues related to grants. 
• Advise school leaders and corporate leadership about grant opportunities, compliance issues, and evolving trends.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. 

• Assist management in making interim and final reports on grants expenditures; gather data, draft narrative portions, etc.  Coordinate with school personnel to gather information needed for grants purposes; communicate related deadlines and timeframes to ensure timely completion of grants-related activity.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Superior abilities to develop strong relationships with individuals inside and outside the organization; able to represent TLG schools effectively to grantors, regulators, and others. Able to foster cooperative, productive connections between grants staff, school leaders, TLG departments, and others who are involved in grants administration and compliance.
• General knowledge of education funding as acquired through prior experience. Basic knowledge of public school accounting regulations preferred.
• Prior experience in a grant-writing, grants administration, or grants accounting role, providing familiarity with public and private grant application processes; prior experience in education-related grants area strongly preferred.
• Excellent skills in business writing, research, and analysis of complex information, as acquired through a college degree or equivalent work experience.
• Excellent knowledge of data entry, word processing, database, internet, and spreadsheet tools. Able to use internet research tools, and to effectively manage information related to grants.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-stage projects and to meet associated deadlines.