Director of Grant Development

YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee•Nashville, TN

About The Position

The Director of Grant Development serves as the primary grant writer for the agency and is responsible for leading the development, writing, and submission of high-quality grant proposals that support the organization's strategic funding priorities. This position manages assigned grant opportunities from concept through submission, including opportunity assessment, proposal development, coordination of internal stakeholders, budget collaboration, narrative writing, editing, submission, and funder communication. In addition to leading grant proposal development, the Director of Grant Development is responsible for managing assigned grant renewals and post-award grant activities, including compliance, reporting, funder stewardship, tracking deadlines, coordinating reimbursement or billing information as needed, and ensuring all grant requirements are met accurately and on time. This position works closely with program leadership, development, finance, and executive leadership to gather programmatic and financial information, develop compelling and competitive proposals, align funding requests with organizational priorities, and ensure compliance with funder requirements throughout the grant lifecycle. While executive leadership establishes the organization's overall grant strategy, funding priorities, and final pursuit decisions, the Director of Grant Development serves as the primary author and project manager for grant proposals and assumes primary responsibility for the successful development, submission, management, renewal, compliance, and stewardship of assigned grants and funding relationships.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required.
A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in grant writing and grants management is required, with a demonstrated track record of developing successful, high-quality grant proposals and securing grant funding.
Experience with grant compliance, contract administration, program administration, and post-award grant management is strongly preferred.
Exceptional written communication, research, and persuasive writing skills are essential.
Position requires incumbent to have a valid driver’s license, vehicle insurance and a clear driving record for the last three years.
Strong technical writing, editing, and organizational skills.
Exceptional attention to detail with strong follow-through abilities.
Knowledge of grant administration, compliance requirements, and reporting processes.
Ability to manage multiple deadlines and competing priorities effectively.
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to interpret and communicate grant requirements clearly.
Excellent organizational and time management skills.
Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and grant tracking/database systems; experience with Raiser’s Edge preferred.
Ability to work collaboratively across departments and support team-based grant development efforts.
Willingness to support the mission of the YWCA and convey its importance both verbally and in writing.

Nice To Haves

Experience with grant compliance, contract administration, program administration, and post-award grant management is strongly preferred.
Experience with Raiser’s Edge preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as the agency's primary grant writer, leading the development of compelling, competitive, and high-quality grant proposals.
Research and evaluate grant opportunities in collaboration with executive leadership to determine alignment with organizational priorities.
Lead the planning, coordination, writing, editing, and submission of assigned grant applications, renewals, continuations, and modifications.
Develop proposal narratives by gathering and synthesizing information from program, finance, development, and executive leadership.
Collaborate with Finance to develop grant budgets and budget narratives that accurately reflect program needs and organizational capacity.
Ensure all grant applications are complete, accurate, compliant, and submitted by established deadlines.
Maintain a grant development calendar to monitor proposal deadlines, deliverables, and submission requirements.
Cultivate and maintain positive relationships with assigned funders throughout the proposal and award process.
Manage assigned grants throughout the grant lifecycle, from award through closeout.
Serve as the primary organizational point of contact for assigned funders and grant programs.
Coordinate post-award activities to ensure grant requirements are implemented and monitored effectively.
Maintain complete and accurate grant records, contracts, award documents, correspondence, and supporting documentation.
Coordinate with program, finance, development, and executive leadership to ensure grant activities remain aligned with organizational priorities.
Monitor grant budgets, expenditures, and project activities in collaboration with Finance and program staff.
Maintain grant timelines to ensure all reporting, reimbursement, compliance, and renewal deadlines are met.
Maintain ownership of all assigned grant reporting requirements.
Prepare and submit timely and accurate programmatic, financial, performance, and outcome reports.
Monitor grant performance measures, deliverables, and compliance requirements throughout the award period.
Coordinate the collection of required information from program, finance, development, and other departments to support reporting and compliance.
Ensure compliance with all funder requirements, applicable regulations, and organizational policies.
Coordinate responses to funder monitoring visits, audits, desk reviews, and other compliance inquiries.
Identify potential compliance risks and proactively communicate concerns and recommended solutions to executive leadership.
Participates in special projects and performs additional tasks as assigned.
Maintains grant-related information, funder records, and reporting timelines within applicable tracking systems and databases.
Collaborate with internal teams to support funder stewardship and recognition efforts.
Perform other duties as assigned.