Public Contracts & Compliance Manager

Strive International Inc•New York, NY

1h•Onsite

About The Position

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW STRIVE is a national leader in workforce development solutions, empowering individuals to discover their best future selves through innovative, evidence-based career training and holistic, lifelong support. STRIVE partners with employers, funders and community organizations to close gaps in workforce needs and help local economies thrive. Founded in East Harlem, NY, in 1984, STRIVE has grown from its roots to now offer programs in locations across the country. For more than 40 years, STRIVE has been a catalyst for economic change and prosperity in underserved communities. Our tuition-free skills and job readiness training, one-on-one support and lifetime personal coaching prepare students for careers in high-growth industries such as healthcare, construction and logistics. With a proven pathway to possible, 80% of STRIVE students graduate, 76% attain employment and 70% retain employment long-term. Looking to the future, STRIVE has embarked on an ambitious ten-year growth plan to increase its impact in more locations nationwide, aiming to serve up to 10,000 individuals each year by 2033. We meet individuals where they are, providing free programs tailored to adults 18+, including those impacted by the justice system. At STRIVE, there is always a path forward. See why STRIVE has been the pathway to possible for more than 40 years in our 3-minute mission video. POSITION SUMMARY Under the supervision of the Chief Finance & Administration Officer, the Contract Manager leads oversight of STRIVE’s public funding contracts. This role ensures compliance with federal, state, and local requirements and manages contracts from award through close-out. The Contract Manager serves as STRIVE’s primary resource on government contract compliance and risk management.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; preferred fields include public administration, business administration, accounting, finance, nonprofit management, public policy, or related discipline.
5- 7 years of experience working in compliance, 5+ years in a government-contracted program preferred
A high level of comfort using data analysis software such as Excel, SPSS, Stata or other data analysis tools
Excellent evaluation and research skills
Advanced knowledge in MS Office, including Excel, and database applications and project management tools
Demonstrated skills and experience in creating dynamic data visualizations for non-profit or public sector program staff using tools such as PowerBI, Tableau, or LookerStudio
Detail oriented with excellent writing, organizational skills plus strong presentation, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to work effectively individually and collaboratively with diverse internal and external stakeholders and constituents of various levels
Reliable - ability to meet deadlines, work independently in a fast-paced environment, with attention to details.
Confidently interface at all levels within an organization and with external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Manage full public contract process from execution to close-out, creating a compliance contract plan to monitor performance and serve as departmental point of contact and knowledge resource on contract details.
Work closely with Finance and Development on the launch of national public contracts, gathering and reviewing public grant award documents for accuracy and compliance; outgoing and incoming.
Establish and oversee contract administration systems, including vendor and subrecipient compliance monitoring, reporting workflows, and tracking of key fiscal and performance metrics to ensure regulatory adherence and audit readiness.
Create a system to track documentation needed for contracts, to ensure proper invoicing requirements are met to the highest required standards.
Maintain monthly and quarterly statistical reports on contract utilization and submit reports as required to oversight agencies, internal executives and (when needed) external stakeholders, or upon request.
Partner with program leadership on report development, reporting procedures, quality control and reporting mechanisms as necessary.
Ensure contractual performance reporting compliance by validating data accuracy, aligning Apricot reporting structures with funding requirements, and overseeing the timely submission of all required reports to public agency portals (e.g., DOL).
Support and conduct necessary program file audits, working with team(s) to ensure they are collecting contractually required documentation and strategizing with team members relating to issues of meeting contract outcomes.
Provide year-to-date contract performance to internal stakeholders when requested or required and manage required deliverable to finance team necessary for contract approval and payments.
Support audits and other accountability reviews from government agencies and assist with and analyze data for audits and Annual Reports, including providing narrative information for contract reports.
Liaise with Development and Finance teams to manage and maximize grant performance data pipeline.
Collect and analyze data, compile cyclical reports, and summarize information to guide programmatic decision making, strengthen performance and guide organizational strategy.
Convene quarterly performance calls to provide updates based on data trends.
Participates in technical assistance conferences and meetings with stakeholders to review and discuss the terms of award, roles and responsibilities, and schedule of deliverables to project manage the awarded contract post kick-off meeting.
Leads regular contract review meetings to ensure compliance with terms of award; also participates in Close-Out meetings to ensure timely submission of final reports or requests for no-cost extensions.
Ensure practitioners are welcomed and consistently supported throughout their programming experience, including all interactions before programming begins, throughout programming, and during follow-up period.
Provide technical assistance support on technological systems TA (e.g. Grant Vantage) and contracting to program practitioners to ensure a smooth and practical experience for system users.
Conduct quality assurance and fidelity analyses in partnership with program leadership to help managers better understand performance concerns and successes.
Train program teams on documentation standards, reporting expectations, and fiscal compliance requirements.