Job Title: Grants Manager

Reports To: Senior Director of Programs

New/Replacement Position: New

Location: Remote

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary: $70,202 - $84,226

Organization Overview

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, healthy, and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. NRPA advances this vision by investing in and championing the work of park and recreation professionals as a catalyst for positive change in service of equity, climate-readiness, and overall health and well-being. 

With more than 60,000 members, NRPA champions and supports the work of park and recreation professionals and advocates through professional development, grants and programs, research, publications, conferences, advocacy and more.

For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. 

For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org. 

Job Overview

This position is a full-time, benefits-eligible position. NRPA’s Programs and Partnerships Team manages a robust portfolio of $5-$7 million in institutional partnerships to advance equity, environmental resilience, and health and well-being across the park and recreation field. As part of these partnerships, NRPA provides training, technical assistance, monetary and in-kind subawards/grants, and other forms of programmatic and capacity building assistance to support local park and recreation agencies and their community partners. 

The Grants Manager monitors, supports, and ensures the effective administration of NRPA’s secured portfolio of federal, foundation, and corporate grants. The Grants Manager coordinates with program staff to support the grants lifecycle including developing requests for applications (RFAs) for subawards and supporting the grant review and subaward process. The Grants Manager is responsible for key grants management activities including developing and managing subaward agreements and contracts, processing and tracking payments, supporting subgrantee monitoring and grants administration training activities, coordinating with all project staff to ensure compliance with grant terms and conditions and organizational procedures, and supporting budget management, performance tracking and reporting. The Grants Manager works closely with NRPA’s Programs, Development and Finance staff on grant budget preparation, financial reporting, and establishing cost tracking methodologies and systems, including personnel management. The Grants Manager manages and establishes best practices and standard operating procedures for NRPA’s grants submission portal (currently OpenWater) and contributes to database best practices with respect to NRPA’s financial and customer relations management tools. This position will help establish and manage NRPA’s Equitable Grantmaking Advisory Panel and requires a unique blend of grants and budget management skills. 

Responsibilities and Duties

Grants Management and Financial Analysis

• Manage the organization’s grantmaking process.
• Coordinate with Programs staff to improve and support the grantmaking process including developing Requests for Applications (RFAs) in NRPA’s grants submission portal (currently OpenWater) and supporting the review and award process. 
• Manage the Equitable Grantmaking Advisory Panel responsible for supporting the grantmaking process and maintaining NRPA’s Equitable Grantmaking Policy and SOPs. With support of the panel and in collaboration with Programs staff, establish new practices and procedures to improve NRPA’s grantmaking practices and procedures.
• Stay abreast of best practices and trends in grantmaking, including shifting grantmaking practices to center equity and inclusion.
• Manage the organization’s grants administration processes.
• Work closely with Programs, Development, Finance staff and our outsourced accounting team to ensure effective management of all foundation, federal, and corporate grants, including supporting the development of proposal budgets and post award tracking of subgrantees, project personnel, grant expenses, deliverables and reporting requirements.
• Provide expertise on grant compliance and ensure adherence to all applicable regulations, policies, and procedures in collaboration with Programs and Finance staff. Collaborate with Programs and Finance staff to update and develop compliance policies and procedures as needed.
• Provide support and coordination with Legal in developing and reviewing sub-grant and consulting agreements.
• Collaborate with Programs and Finance staff to manage contracts, process and track payments and expenses, and oversee invoicing for professional service contracts and other reimbursement-based grants.
• Assist program managers in complying with grant financial and program requirements.
• Coordinate with Programs and Finance staff to train and monitor subgrantees to guard against unallowable costs and ensure adherence to policies, procedures, and reporting requirements.
• Prepare internal and external reports and analyses, including research, data analysis, supporting documentation, schedules and supplemental information as required.
• Collaborate with finance team to develop financial reporting for foundation and government grants.
• Act as liaison to NRPA’s auditors regarding federal grant awards during the Single Audit.
• Conduct annual audit of NRPA sub-grantees, per NRPA’s sub-grantee management policy. 
• Stay abreast of all applicable regulations, policies, procedures to ensure compliance with funding requirements and best practices.
• Maintain organization-wide personnel tracking spreadsheet, analyzing how new grants impact personnel and shift allocations in collaboration with Program, Development, People & Culture, Finance teams and Executive leadership.
• Monitor time charged to each grant monthly and flag project staff who are not charging. 

NRPA Annual Conference

• Support planning efforts for NRPA’s Annual Conference by participating in conference education planning (submitting sessions during the call for proposals, planning pre-conference workshops, recruiting speakers and subject matter experts, reviewing proposals, participating in conference review committee, etc.); participating in conference task forces (DEI, member area, etc.); promoting conference to grantees and partners; coordinating grantee meetings and networking events; or providing other support as needed.
• Provide onsite or remote support at NRPA’s Annual Conference by serving as a volunteer for events and activities (receptions, ceremonies, networking events, room hosting, etc.); supporting NRPA’s membership area; presenting, facilitating, or supporting education and pre-conference sessions; hosting grantee or partner meetings; or providing other onsite support as needed.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a minimum of 5-7 years in related field; 3-5 position specific experience preferred; Association or P&R experience preferred. 
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for Public Sector financial management.
• Knowledge and experience with federal grants management, including OMB Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200, federal reporting and systems, indirect cost rate development, and other federal grant regulations.
• Experience with budget management and planning tools, Adaptive Insights preferred.
• Experience and high proficiency with Excel required.
• Must be detail-oriented and able to manage multiple projects with specified or predetermined deadlines.
• Must possess excellent organizational, time and project management skills; demonstrated ability to work effectively and efficiently in a remote work environment.
• Must possess excellent communication skills (oral, written) to communicate with individuals effectively and professionally at all levels, including members, partners and donors.
• Demonstrates an understanding and passion for learning more about diversity, equity, and inclusion concepts, is able to represent those in external relationships, and ensures that they are reflected in the programs and activities they are responsible for.
• Demonstrates ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a remote environment, ensuring effective communication and productivity across virtual teams.
• Self-motivated with a collaborative and professional team spirit to contribute to a collegial, team-oriented environment.
• Travel up to 10 days per year to local, state-wide or national conferences, meetings, grantee site visits, etc.