Senior Director of Grants and Contract Development

Five Keys Schools and Programs•Oakland, CA

3d•$130,000 - $160,000•Remote

About The Position

The Sr. Director of Grants and Contracts Development reports to the President of Five Keys and serves as the strategic and operational leader of Five Keys' Grants and Contracts Development Department. This position oversees all department staff and is responsible for building and managing the agency's grant and contract development infrastructure to maximize funding opportunities and support sustainable organizational growth. The Director leads the identification, evaluation, and pursuit of new public and private funding opportunities by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), funding databases, and other research platforms to proactively identify grants, contracts, and procurement opportunities aligned with Five Keys' mission and strategic priorities. The Director oversees the scouting, pre-qualification process, development, writing, review, and timely submission of high-quality grant proposals, contract applications, and procurement packets in collaboration with program leadership across all departments. This position serves as the central coordinator for the agency's grants and contracts portfolio, ensuring the accurate tracking of funding opportunities, awarded contracts, contract revenues, reporting deadlines, compliance requirements, and renewal timelines. The Director is responsible for maintaining a comprehensive grants and contracts management database that provides leadership with real-time visibility into the agency's funding pipeline, active awards, contract performance, and revenue projections. Working closely with Finance, Human Resources, Program Leadership, and Executive Leadership, the Director develops systems that support contract implementation, reporting, compliance, and performance measurement. The Director also provides strategic oversight and technical support for grant and contract reporting, ensuring all programmatic and financial reports are completed accurately, submitted on time, and meet funder requirements. Success in this role requires exceptional leadership, project management, strategic thinking, and organizational skills, along with a strong understanding of government procurement, grants management, contract administration, nonprofit funding, and emerging AI technologies that improve funding research and proposal development. The ideal candidate is an innovative, systems-oriented leader who combines analytical precision with collaborative leadership, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is committed to building efficient, technology-enabled processes that strengthen Five Keys' long-term funding sustainability and organizational impact.

Requirements

Advanced grant writing, proposal development, and persuasive communication skills
Strong knowledge of public funding, government grants, foundation funding, and competitive procurement processes
Exceptional project management and communication skills, with a track record of managing competing deadlines across multiple teams, while maintaining stakeholder confidence and morale
Demonstrated success securing complex federal, state, local, and foundation grants
Knowledge of grant budgeting, financial planning, and funding compliance requirements
Ability to analyze funding opportunities and align them with organizational priorities
Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
Strong leadership, coaching, and team development abilities
Ability to build collaborative relationships across departments and with external partners
Advanced proficiency in Zoom, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, databases and grant writing and management systems
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
Proven leadership and team development skills fostering growth, accountability, and collaboration
Deep commitment to Five Keys’ mission and social justice values, serving high-need and justice-involved
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, demonstrating initiative, adaptability, and sound judgment in fast-paced environments
High ethical standards, while working with confidential information and complex topics that require considerable discretion, judgment, tact, and diplomacy
Bachelor's degree in Communications, English, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Social Sciences, or a related field preferred.
Prior experience writing grants required
Five years of progressively responsible experience in grant writing, grant development, proposal management, fundraising, or related work
Demonstrated success securing large public grants and managing complex proposal development efforts
Experience supervising staff, consultants, or cross-functional project teams
Satisfactory results of a Live Scan (criminal background investigation)

Nice To Haves

Experience working with government funding agencies and large-scale grant programs preferred
Experience in nonprofit, education, workforce development, housing, behavioral health, criminal justice, or human services organizations preferred

Responsibilities

Lead the scouting, pre-qualification submission, development, writing, editing, and submission of competitive grant proposals, applications, letters of inquiry, concept papers, and supporting materials
Manage the full grant development lifecycle from opportunity identification through proposal submission
Research, identify, and evaluate funding opportunities from federal, state, local, foundation, corporate, and institutional funding sources
Review funding solicitations, Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs), and grant guidelines to assess organizational fit and competitiveness
Develop proposal timelines, assign responsibilities, and ensure all submissions are completed accurately and on schedule
Collaborate with various divisions, Finance, HR/Compliance, and Executive Leadership teams to develop project narratives, work plans, budgets, and supporting documentation
Coordinate complex, multi-departmental proposal efforts involving multiple stakeholders and funding partners
Harness the power of AI as a tool for writing and sourcing opportunities
Develop and maintain a comprehensive grants pipeline that aligns with organizational priorities and funding needs
Monitor funding trends, legislative developments, and emerging opportunities relevant to education, workforce development, housing, behavioral health, reentry, and other Five Keys program areas
Provide recommendations to leadership regarding funding priorities, proposal investments, and strategic opportunities
Track grant submissions, awards, pending opportunities, and funding outcomes to support organizational planning and decision-making
Develop systems, templates, and processes that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of grant development efforts
Supervise, coach, mentor, and evaluate grants team staff, consultants, and contractors as assigned
Establish performance expectations, priorities, and professional development opportunities for grant development team members
Foster a collaborative, solutions-oriented work environment focused on quality, accountability, and continuous improvement
Provide technical assistance and guidance to program staff regarding proposal development, funding opportunities, and funder requirements.
Build and maintain productive relationships with funders, government agencies, community partners, and key stakeholders
Represent Five Keys at meetings, conferences, funder briefings, and partnership discussions related to grant opportunities
Prepare grant development reports, funding analyses, and presentations for Executive Leadership
Support organizational revenue diversification efforts by identifying new and emerging funding sources
Assist with special projects and strategic initiatives as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned

Benefits

Very low monthly costs for medical, dental, and vision insurance
Generous time off
Various pre-tax flexible spending accounts
Retirement accounts, including 403(b)
Annual reimbursements up to $100 towards gym membership, smoking cessation, and weight loss programs
Annual athletic event participation and annual massages are reimbursed up to $50
Company-paid benefits, including free wellness-related apps
Employee Assistance Program
Comprehensive mental health care platform available to you and your dependents
Ongoing professional development opportunities (conferences, staff development training, coaching plans)