Who We Are
American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. Since our founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 6.5 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally-sound farming practices on millions of additional acres and helped thousands of farm families make a go of it (primarily through programs that increase farm viability and/or enhance farmland access). Long a pioneering leader, AFT is now riding a new wave of growth, driven by agriculture’s most pressing needs and opportunities.
Job Purpose
Reporting to the Director of Grants Management, the Grants Compliance Manager (GCM) is responsible for overseeing grant compliance across AFT’s diverse portfolio of grants. The GCM ensures that all grant activities adhere to applicable regulations, funder requirements, and organizational policies; develops and maintains internal systems, tools, and standard operating procedures; and serves as a key resource for staff on grant management and compliance matters. This role requires a high degree of collaboration with the Programs, Project Management, Legal, and Development teams, and the ability to clearly communicate grant regulations and financial concepts to a variety of audiences.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Interpret and apply grant agreements, terms, and conditions to ensure compliance with funding guidelines, reporting deadlines, and allowable costs across awards issued by federal, state, corporate, foundation, and other institutional funding sources.
- Monitor and stay current on U.S. Government (USG) grant management policies, federal regulations (including 2 CFR 200), and funder-specific requirements; update internal guidance and advise staff accordingly.
- Develop, maintain, and refine organizational grant award tracking and filing systems, including SharePoint platform management, to ensure records are current, accurate, and complete.
- Review new grant agreements and solicitations to identify compliance requirements, risks, and operational considerations.
- Oversee subaward compliance, including development and review of subaward agreements for consistency with prime award requirements.
- Provide training, guidance, and mentorship to grant team members and project/program managers to build organizational capacity and ensure compliance with applicable requirements.
- Develop, update, and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for key grant management functions, to include procurement, subawards, consultant contracting, and budget and financial management.
- Support the annual organizational work planning and budgeting process as it relates to grant compliance requirements.
This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities. Management reserves the right to revise the job or to request other or different duties be performed as assigned.
Qualifications
Required
- Demonstrated knowledge of federal grant regulations, including 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance), and experience applying these regulations in a grant management or compliance role.
- Experience in grant compliance and/or grants management within the nonprofit sector, government agencies, or a similar environment.
- Familiarity with grant agreement structures, subaward management, and fiscal management of federal funds.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with keen attention to detail.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex regulatory requirements for non-specialist audiences across all levels of an organization.
- Experience developing or managing grants-related systems, trackers, or filing structures.
Preferred
- Experience with large federal awards, including familiarity with USDA regulations, USDA General Terms and Conditions (GT&C), and NRCS Grant Agreement and Development Budget Expense Tables (GADBET).
- Experience with foundation grant management.
- Demonstrated commitment to the mission of AFT.
Education & Experience
- A bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.
- A minimum of 7–10 years of relevant experience in grants management or grant compliance, with a strong background in federal grants and/or nonprofit administration.
- Certification in grants management (e.g., Certified Grants Management Specialist – CGMS) or federal or commercial contracting is a plus.
Working Conditions/Travel
- This is a remote-based position. Occasional work in the evenings or on weekends may be required to meet deadlines.
- This position does not require travel.
Degree of Supervision Received
The incumbent will operate under the general supervision of the Director of Grants Management.
Degree of Supervision Given
The incumbent may be expected to supervise one staff member, the Grants Administration Coordinator (or similar position).
Compensation
American Farmland Trust offers excellent vacation, medical, retirement and other benefits. The salary range for this position is from $100,000 to $110,000 based upon experience.
American Farmland Trust offers a full benefits package for full time employees:
- Insurance coverage begins the 1st of the month following the date of hire.
- Medical & Prescription Coverage
- Dental Coverage
- Vision Coverage
- Company Paid Life Insurance & Long-Term Disability (LTD)
- Voluntary Life Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – Healthcare & Dependent Care
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- 401k Plan
- Sick Leave: Regular full-time employees accrue 13 “sick days” per year.
- Vacation Leave: Accrue 15 days during the first year increasing by one day per year to 20 days per year maximum.
- Holidays: AFT observes twelve fixed holidays and a week between Christmas and New Years off during the year (all offices closed) plus a choice of up to three (depending on hiring month) floating holidays.
Why you should apply
- Be a part of a purpose-driven, committed, knowledgeable, high-performing, experienced and fun team
- A diverse and inclusive work environment
- A cause and mission you can be proud of
- Competitive compensation & benefits
- Remote work opportunity
Timeline
To be considered applicants must submit a resume, a cover letter explaining what they are a right fit for both AFT and this role. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Directly Apply Here: Grants Compliance Manager
Skills Required
- Demonstrated knowledge of federal grant regulations, including 2 CFR 200
- Experience in grant compliance and/or grants management within nonprofit or government
- Familiarity with grant agreement structures and subaward management
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Experience developing or managing grants-related systems
- Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, or related field
- Minimum 7-10 years of relevant experience in grants management or compliance
What We Do
American Farmland Trust leads the conservation agriculture movement with a mission to save America’s farms and ranches by protecting agricultural land, promoting sound farming practices, and keeping farmers on the land.
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