Citywide Grants Compliance Manager

City-of-Seattle; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 79,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Seattle seeks a Citywide Grants Compliance Manager to lead a team ensuring federal and state grant compliance across departments. You will implement governance, monitor regulatory calendars, and publish standardized policies.

Experience with SEFA/SESA reporting and audits is essential. The role is full-time, hybrid with minimum 3 days in‑office, and focused on strengthening financial controls for grant funding.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of federal grant regulations (Uniform Guidance) and CFRs.
• Familiarity with SEFA/SESA reporting and audit processes.
• Ability to interpret regulatory language and guide others.
• Experience with cost allocation, internal controls, and financial modeling.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead the citywide grant compliance program across departments.
• Develop governance structures, calendars, and reporting metrics for grants.
• Collaborate with departments to align grant policies and financial controls.
• Supervise a team handling grant reporting, SEFA/SESA submissions, and audits.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Risk assessment

Internal controls

GAAP/GASB knowledge

Education

CPA certification

Tools

ERP systems (PeopleSoft)

Job description

The Office of City Finance (OCF) OCF is responsible for the financial operations of the City of Seattle. While working closely with the City's Budget Office. OCF oversees the City's financial control functions and enterprise reporting responsibilities and supports the goals set by the Mayor and the City Council by providing financial information and expertise. The Office of City Finance champions race and social justice and works progressively to realize the City's vision of racial equity by participating in the Race and Social Justice Initiative -RSJI, which requires fostering a relational culture and an openness to learn and apply new ideas and skills through an equity lens.

Citywide Accounting & Systems, a division of OCF, supports the City by overseeing central financial policies, processes, and systems that support all City departments and executive offices. The division is responsible for citywide required financial reporting, including the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, while also administering the enterprise accounting system, citywide accounting policies, and the City’s fiscal monitoring and compliance program.

The Office of City Finance (OCF) is seeking a Citywide Grants Compliance Manager to lead a team that supports Citywide grant compliance functions and processes. This new role is crucial in ensuring compliance with complex regulatory requirements associated with grant funding. This role leads a team that supports Citywide grant functions and processes, is accountable for filing the required federal (SEFA) and state (SESA) reports on behalf of the City and serves as the audit liaison for the City’s single federal audit. Effective leadership in this role protects the City from financial penalties, audit findings, and loss of future grant eligibility while enabling departments to maximize the resources available to serve Seattle communities. Additionally, the Grant Compliance Manager will introduce a grant governance model, defining roles, responsibilities, and accountability structures for all departments that receive or manage grant funds. This role also leads the development, documentation, and publication of standardized Citywide grants policies and procedures

Grant Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

• Establish and lead the City’s grant compliance program, ensuring departments meet federal Uniform Guidance and state regulatory requirements.
• Provide authoritative guidance to department CFOs, accounting managers, and grant administrators on regulatory interpretation and compliance expectations.

Policy, Governance & Process Management

• Develop, update, and communicate Citywide grant policies and procedures covering the full lifecycle of grant administration.
• Establish and maintain governance structures, compliance calendars, cost allocation methodologies, and monitoring metrics for grant activity.

Cross-Department Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Convene and lead citywide grant stakeholder meetings; deliver training, technical memos, and guidance on policy updates and compliance requirements.
• Collaborate across departments to ensure alignment of grant policies, financial controls, and reporting tools.

Leadership, Reporting & Team Management

• Supervise a small team responsible for grant compliance support, citywide grant reporting, the Citywide indirect cost allocation plan, and preparation and submission of annual SEFA and SESA reports, including citywide data collection and reconciliation.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover orcontain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Knowledge of federal grant regulations, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and related Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs).
• Knowledge of SEFA and SESA reporting requirements, including data collection, validation, and reconciliation processes.
• Ability to interpret complex regulatory language and provide technical guidance to other teams.
• Working knowledge of internal controls and risk assessment concepts relevant to grant compliance.
• Familiarity with central cost allocation plans, cost allocation methodologies, and financial modeling related to grant reimbursement.

Technical & Professional Credentials

• CPA certification
• Knowledge of GAAP, GASB, and public sector accounting principles

Public Sector & Financial Management Experience

• Experience with public sector financial management practices
• Familiarity with grant-funded program operations in a municipal environment
• Experience with creating and maintaining City policies, monitoring grants, and responding to audits

Systems & Technical Tools

• Experience with ERP systems and financial reporting tools (e.g., PeopleSoft Query or querying similar relational databases)

PAY

This full-time position is classified as a Manager 2 The full salary range for this position is $56.57- $84.88 per hour. After a pay equity and budget analysis, the salary range for this role has been identified as $56.57- $75.00 per hour.

Workplace Schedule/Environment:

Hybrid schedule with remote work flexibility (minimum 3days/weekin-office). Individual schedules will be agreed upon by the employee and their supervisor.

Work is performed both in an office environment.

Collaborative, inclusive team environment.

Background Check:

Applicants must successfully pass a background check, which will be conducted in accordance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be given a chance to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information of good conduct and rehabilitation.

Why work at the City of Seattle?

The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

Benefits

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits

Who May Apply:

This position is open to all applicants that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The city encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experience.