Manager, Grants - CT

Team: Development (Team Federal Grants)

Job Level: Manager

Reports To: Senior Director of Federal Grants

Location: Connecticut (Hybrid)

Salary: $99,175.20

Achievement First (AF) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization supporting 39 public charter schools across New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. For more than 25 years, AF has been recognized as one of the top tuition-free public charter school networks in the country. We are committed to creating schools of academic excellence within nurturing environments — schools that prepare students to be college-ready and to pursue and succeed in whatever paths they choose in life.

The majority of AF students are Black and Latinx children from low-income families, many of whom will be the first in their families to graduate from college. Across our network, we employ more than 2,200 staff members — 64% of whom identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color — who collectively educate nearly 15,000 students in Brooklyn and Queens, NY; New Haven, Bridgeport, and Hartford, CT; and Providence and Cranston, RI.

Our mission is to prepare every student to excel in college, career, and life; deepen their understanding of self and community; and lead lives of purpose. We believe in the limitless potential within our students and their power to shape a more just society. That belief drives our deep commitment to student achievement: we aim to set a high bar for learning and create warm, demanding classrooms where rigorous instruction is paired with the care, encouragement, and consistency every student deserves.

The Connecticut Grants Manager plays a key role in ensuring that vital funding reaches the classrooms and students who need it most. In this role, you will manage nearly $4 million in state and federal grant funding across four charters and ten schools serving K-12 students in Bridgeport, Hartford, and New Haven.

You will lead the development of program narratives and aligned budgets, oversee the lifecycle of grant applications and amendments, and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. At the same time, you will partner closely with regional leaders, school teams, and network departments to strategically allocate resources and ensure that grant funds are spent thoughtfully, equitably, and in ways that directly advance student success.

This role is ideal for someone who combines strong grant management expertise with project management skills and cross-functional collaboration, and who is motivated by the opportunity to support schools and communities through strategic resource stewardship.

• Lead the development and coordination of state and federal grant applications, including Titles I, II, III, and IV and other funding streams serving special populations.
• Partner with the Connecticut Executive Director, Regional Superintendents, and Regional Directors of Operations to align grant priorities with regional and school needs.
• Facilitate cross-team collaboration across Team Federal Grants, Financial Planning & Accountability, Team Talent, and school and regional leaders.
• Support the network and regional needs assessment process, providing training and guidance that informs grant program narratives and budget design.
• Develop compliant program narratives and grant budgets in partnership with school and regional leaders.
• Submit grant applications through state and federal grants management systems in a timely and accurate manner.
  

• Establish and maintain systems for tracking grant implementation, timelines, and compliance requirements across schools and regions.
• Partner with Regional Superintendents, Regional Directors of Operations, school leaders, Accounting, and FP&A to ensure strong fiscal stewardship of grant funds.
• Monitor grant spending to ensure funds are used strategically, compliantly, and within required timelines.
• Develop and submit narrative revisions, budget amendments, and grant updates as program needs evolve.
• Produce and analyze grant reports for internal leadership and external agencies.
• Support training for school and regional leaders on grant compliance, program requirements, and fiscal accountability.
  

• Contribute to the development and execution of the organization’s broader grants strategy.
• Participate in cross-functional planning meetings to ensure grant funding supports regional and network priorities.
• Represent Achievement First in state and federal grant trainings, meetings, and technical assistance sessions.
• Share updates, guidance, and best practices with internal stakeholders to strengthen grant implementation and compliance.
  

All candidates for this position will:

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree in education, public administration, nonprofit management, business administration, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• Have 5+ years of experience managing state and federal grants in the education sector 
• Demonstrate knowledge of state and federal grant regulations and compliance requirements.
• Have experience working with federal programs under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
• Be highly organized and capable of managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and timelines.
• Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into clear guidance.
• Be comfortable analyzing budgets and monitoring fiscal compliance of grant funds.
• Have proficiency with Microsoft Excel and/or Google Sheets.
• Build strong working relationships and collaborate effectively across teams.

• Grant Strategy and Compliance — Deep understanding of federal and state grant requirements and the ability to ensure strong compliance across programs and regions.
• Project and Systems Management — Ability to design and manage systems that track grant implementation, spending, and reporting.
• Budget Analysis and Fiscal Stewardship — Experience monitoring grant budgets and ensuring funds are used strategically and compliantly.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration — Strong ability to coordinate work across regional leaders, school teams, and central office departments.
• Strategic Thinking and Execution — Ability to connect grant strategy to broader organizational priorities while maintaining strong attention to operational detail.

Travel Expectations 

This is a hybrid role. The expectation is that the person in the role must be able to come into the Network Support office (CT) and schools at least 3 days a week. There may be additional travel to regions outside of your own on a monthly basis. 

Compensation
Achievement First sets salaries are set through a lens of equity, and based on the requisite skills, education, and experience relevant to the role.  The salary for this position is $99,175. In order to uphold our commitment to equity, Achievement First does not negotiate pay.  Additionally, Achievement First offers to all regular, full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid time off, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, a 403(b) retirement benefit package with match, and paid Family Leave.