Citywide Grants Compliance Manager

City of Seattle•Seattle, WA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Office of City Finance (OCF) is responsible for the financial operations of the City of Seattle. The OCF oversees the City's financial control functions and enterprise reporting responsibilities and supports the goals set by the Mayor and the City Council by providing financial information and expertise. The Office of City Finance champions race and social justice and works progressively to realize the City's vision of racial equity by participating in the Race and Social Justice Initiative - RSJI. Citywide Accounting & Systems, a division of OCF, supports the City by overseeing central financial policies, processes, and systems that support all City departments and executive offices. The division is responsible for citywide required financial reporting, including the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, while also administering the enterprise accounting system, citywide accounting policies, and the City’s fiscal monitoring and compliance program. The Office of City Finance (OCF) is seeking a Citywide Grants Compliance Manager to lead a team that supports Citywide grant compliance functions and processes. This new role is crucial in ensuring compliance with complex regulatory requirements associated with grant funding. This role leads a team that supports Citywide grant functions and processes, is accountable for filing the required federal (SEFA) and state (SESA) reports on behalf of the City and serves as the audit liaison for the City’s single federal audit. Effective leadership in this role protects the City from financial penalties, audit findings, and loss of future grant eligibility while enabling departments to maximize the resources available to serve Seattle communities. Additionally, the Grant Compliance Manager will introduce a grant governance model, defining roles, responsibilities, and accountability structures for all departments that receive or manage grant funds. This role also leads the development, documentation, and publication of standardized Citywide grants policies and procedures.

Requirements

Knowledge of federal grant regulations, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and related Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs).
Knowledge of SEFA and SESA reporting requirements, including data collection, validation, and reconciliation processes.
Ability to interpret complex regulatory language and provide technical guidance to other teams.
Working knowledge of internal controls and risk assessment concepts relevant to grant compliance.
Familiarity with central cost allocation plans, cost allocation methodologies, and financial modeling related to grant reimbursement.

Nice To Haves

CPA certification
Knowledge of GAAP, GASB, and public sector accounting principles
Experience with public sector financial management practices
Familiarity with grant-funded program operations in a municipal environment
Experience with creating and maintaining City policies, monitoring grants, and responding to audits
Experience with ERP systems and financial reporting tools (e.g., PeopleSoft Query or querying similar relational databases)

Responsibilities

Establish and lead the City’s grant compliance program, ensuring departments meet federal Uniform Guidance and state regulatory requirements.
Provide authoritative guidance to department CFOs, accounting managers, and grant administrators on regulatory interpretation and compliance expectations.
Develop, update, and communicate Citywide grant policies and procedures covering the full lifecycle of grant administration.
Establish and maintain governance structures, compliance calendars, cost allocation methodologies, and monitoring metrics for grant activity.
Convene and lead citywide grant stakeholder meetings; deliver training, technical memos, and guidance on policy updates and compliance requirements.
Collaborate across departments to ensure alignment of grant policies, financial controls, and reporting tools.
Supervise a small team responsible for grant compliance support, citywide grant reporting, the Citywide indirect cost allocation plan, and preparation and submission of annual SEFA and SESA reports, including citywide data collection and reconciliation.