Director of Grants Administration – SIP Grant

City Colleges of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 93,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and welfare benefits

Pension plan (SURS)

403(b) & 457(b) plans

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

City Colleges of Chicago's Wright College seeks a Director - Grants Administration (SIP Grant) to lead districtwide implementation and reporting of the Strengthening Institutions Program grant. Reporting to the Dean, this role guides grant lifecycle, budgeting, data reporting, and compliance with federal regulations.

The position coordinates with stakeholders across colleges, manages staff and procurement, and ensures outcomes align with retention, progression and degree completion goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field.
• Five years of program or project administration work experience.
• Three or more years of professional experience working with underrepresented college populations.
• Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
• Knowledge of federal regulations governing grant-funded programs.
• Knowledge of student development theories and academic advising practices.
• Strong understanding of program assessment and retention initiatives.
• Proven track record of collaboration, self-direction and innovation in a collegial work environment.
• Experience managing projects involving multiple stakeholders.
• Skilled in managing budgets and tracking spenddown of grant funds.
• Experience in project or program management, preferably in higher education.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience implementing projects in a complex organization.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Strong donor cultivation and relationship management skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook).

Responsibilities

• Manage the post-award phase of the grant’s lifecycle, developing and implementing work plans to execute activities and expend funds.
• Advise college administrators and key stakeholders on project objectives, scope of work, budget, and timelines.
• Direct day-to-day operations to ensure grant deliverables are met within budget and reporting requirements.
• Participate in hiring and selection of project personnel within budgeted staff.
• Manage the grant’s budget and monitor expenditures for compliance.
• Oversee procurement, vendor selection, and purchases aligned with grant requirements.
• Monitor progress and evaluations, prepare scope/budget modifications as needed.
• Prepare and submit timely programmatic progress and financial reports; assist in grant renewals if applicable.
• Oversee districtwide coordination and stakeholder engagement for transfer credit and software implementation.
• Provide leadership in development of grants management handbooks and training materials.
• Oversee focus groups and feedback processes to inform scheduling and advising analysis.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Donor cultivation

Organizational skills

Project management

Microsoft Office 365

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration / Business Administration / Education Administration

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Job description

City Colleges of Chicago's Wright College seeks a Director - Grants Administration (SIP Grant) to lead districtwide implementation and reporting of the Strengthening Institutions Program grant. Reporting to the Dean, this role guides grant lifecycle, budgeting, data reporting, and compliance with federal regulations.

The position coordinates with stakeholders across colleges, manages staff and procurement, and ensures outcomes align with retention, progression and degree completion goals.