Senior Director of Grant Operations (55339)

YSS•Ames, IA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Director of Grant Operations is a newly established executive leadership role at YSS, reporting to the Chief Growth Officer and serving as the strategic lead for the full lifecycle of grant management. This includes grant research and identification, proposal development, award setup, compliance, billing, data integrity, reporting, and post-award monitoring. As YSS continues to expand its impact for youth, young adults, and families, this role is a key investment in long-term sustainability and operational excellence. The Senior Director oversees two core teams—Grant Billing & Compliance and Grant Research & Development—ensuring accuracy, transparency, strong revenue performance, and audit readiness across all grant-funded programs. This leader partners closely with Finance, Program Leadership, the Growth Office, and Executive Leadership to align grant strategy with organizational priorities, strengthen compliance practices, improve billing accuracy, and create clear, consistent processes that support program success.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, nonprofit management, communications, or a related field required
4+ years of experience in grant operations, including billing, compliance, and full lifecycle management
At least five years of progressive leadership experience, with a track record of developing high-performing teams and driving operational and financial results
Proven ability to manage complex grant portfolios, including government contracts and private foundation awards
Strong knowledge of nonprofit compliance requirements, grant regulations, and funder expectations
Exceptional organizational, analytical, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complexity into clarity
Skilled at managing multiple priorities, deadlines, and moving pieces without losing momentum

Nice To Haves

Experience working with grant management systems such as Foundant, Fluxx, eCivis, or Salesforce-based platforms
Experience in behavioral health, youth services, or human services environments
Familiarity with federal grant funding sources such as SAMHSA, HRSA, DOJ, or HUD
Experience developing grant budgets and partnering closely with finance teams

Responsibilities

Lead the Grant Operations division, overseeing both Grant Billing & Compliance and Grant Research & Development
Set strategy, goals, and performance metrics to drive revenue, compliance, and operational excellence
Partner with Finance, Program Leadership, and Executive teams to align grant strategy with organizational priorities
Oversee the full grant lifecycle—from research and proposal development through award setup, billing, reporting, and close-out
Ensure clear processes, timelines, and expectations for all awarded grants
Maintain oversight of grant calendars, deadlines, and reporting cycles
Ensure compliance with all funder requirements (federal, state, local, and private)
Maintain audit-ready documentation and lead audit responses
Implement strong internal controls and monitor regulatory changes
Oversee accurate, timely billing and revenue capture
Ensure integrity of grant data, documentation, and reporting systems
Partner with Finance on budget tracking and revenue reconciliation
Oversee grant research, writing, and submission of high-quality proposals
Ensure alignment of proposals with organizational priorities and accurate budgeting
Build and maintain strong relationships with funders and partners
Lead improvements in grant systems, workflows, and technology
Implement tools and processes that increase efficiency, accuracy, and transparency
Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team
Foster a culture of accountability, compliance, and continuous improvement
Provide training and guidance to program staff on grant requirements