Grant Manager I.

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid leave

Job summary

State of Colorado is seeking a Grant Manager I in the Global Business Development Division to support CHIPS, AIA, and STEP programs. You will manage contracts, reimbursements, and tracking databases, ensuring compliance with state fiscal rules.

The role emphasizes project coordination, cross-unit collaboration, and timely grant close-outs while maintaining thorough documentation and reporting to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding or ability to learn public sector procurement processes, contracting workflows, and state fiscal rules.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail with ability to prioritize multiple tasks under tight timelines.
• Demonstrated budget expertise in tracking expenditures, reconciliations, and spend-down rates.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with vendors and stakeholders.
• Proficient in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative guidance for state funding programs such as CHIPS, AIA grants, and STEP.
• Perform preliminary compliance reviews and prepare reviewer packets and logistics.
• Draft statements of work with procurement to define scope, deliverables, and timelines.
• Regularly check in with grant recipients and monitor progress.

Skills

Public sector procurement

Contract management

Grant administration

Budget reconciliation

Google Workspace

MS Office

Interpersonal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration/public administration/finance

Tools

Salesforce

CORE system

Job description

Department Information

The Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) was created to foster a positive business climate that encourages quality economic development through support of local and regional economic development activities throughout the State of Colorado. A comprehensive slate of programs within OEDIT’s divisions work together to offer economic development services for all Colorado businesses – new and expanding, traditional and emerging, small and large – including retention programs to ensure continued competitiveness of Colorado’s economic base, and job training to keep Colorado’s workforce the best in the nation.

Department Information

The Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) was created to foster a positive business climate that encourages quality economic development through support of local and regional economic development activities throughout the State of Colorado. A comprehensive slate of programs within OEDIT’s divisions work together to offer economic development services for all Colorado businesses – new and expanding, traditional and emerging, small and large – including retention programs to ensure continued competitiveness of Colorado’s economic base, and job training to keep Colorado’s workforce the best in the nation.

This Position Is Part Of The Global Business Development (GBD) Division Within OEDIT. The GBD Division Elevates Colorado Businesses And Communities By Offering Programs, Services And Incentives That Foster An Innovative And Healthy Economy Where People, Businesses And Communities Thrive. Such Offerings Include Tax Incentives And Grant Programs Related To Business Recruitment, Retention And Expansion, Foreign Direct Investment And Data Analytics Services. GBD’s Programs Include, But Are Not Limited To, Colorado’s CHIPS Semiconductor Programs And The Advanced Industries Accelerator (AIA) Program Grants, And The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP).

• The CHIPS Semiconductor programs include the Colorado CHIPS Community Support Program which is a suite of three grants that support the development of semiconductor and advanced industry ecosystems.
• The AIA Program promotes the commercialization of innovative technologies in Colorado’s seven advanced industries. Non-dilutive funding is provided through the following opportunities: Proof of Concept Grant, Early Stage Capital and Retention Grant, Collaborative Infrastructure Grant, Global Consultant Network, and Export Grant.
• STEP is a federally funded export grant that helps small businesses expand internationally by funding international business development activities.

Description Of Job

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Grant Manager I is a vital operational and administrative role within the GBD Division. This position provides critical technical and administrative support for state funding programs managed by GBD, guiding applicants through the entire grant lifecycle from initial application compliance to final operational close-outs. This role will primarily support programs including Colorado's CHIPS semiconductor programs, AIA Program grants, and STEP. Key daily responsibilities include managing contracts, processing reimbursements, maintaining accurate tracking databases, and proactively monitoring grantee progress to ensure all statutory and financial requirements are met. The ideal candidate is a driven, detail-oriented problem solver who thrives when managing complex workflows, coordinating project logistics, liaising across state business units, and ensuring strict compliance with state fiscal rules and procurement guidelines.

Key Duties And Responsibilities

• Technical Assistance & Applicant Support: Provide administrative and technical guidance to business stakeholders, local partners, and companies seeking to qualify for state funding programs managed by the Global Business Development Division, such as the Colorado CHIPS Community Support Program, Dept. of Commerce trade and investment shows and Advanced Industries Accelerator Program grants.
• Application Compliance & Review Support: Conduct preliminary compliance reviews on grant applications to ensure submissions adhere to statutory and program requirements. Prepare review packets, organize review committee logistics, and issue reviewer invitations.
• Contracting and Amendments: Assists in drafting statements of work in collaboration with the procurement team to define project scope, deliverables, timelines and compliance standards for grant contracts and amendment requests as needed.
• Grant Monitoring: Proactively check-in with grant recipients on a routine basis, giving them status updates and reminders about their progress to date in the completion of the award.
• Reimbursements: Reviews all grantee reimbursement requests for appropriate documentation and compliance prior to preparing the reimbursement package for processing.
• Grant Close-Outs: Manages the operational close-out process for completed grants. Conducts final financial reconciliations, verifies that all contract deliverables and reporting requirements have been met, and processes final payments.
• Grant Tracking & Record Keeping: Maintain master documentation files and tracking databases in Salesforce, Google Drive, and the state accounting system in full accordance with program policies and state fiscal rules. Track and provide quarterly updates on grant program awarding, reimbursement, and remaining funds.
• Process Optimization: Evaluates workflows to develop efficient and effective processes for the overall grant reimbursement cycle
• Collaborative Alignment: Works in a professional, collaborative manner with internal program staff, procurement and accounting teams, external program partners, and grantees.
• Other Duties: Performs other duties as assigned by the Advanced Industries Senior Manager, GBD Division Director, and GBD Deputy Director.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Project Management: Plans, directs, and monitors multi-faceted projects and administrative workflows effectively while meeting quality standards and deadlines.
• Results Driven: Conveys a sense of urgency, moves tasks toward closure, and holds high standards for accuracy and quality.
• Process Improvement: Continuously evaluates internal workflows, challenges the status quo, and identifies opportunities to streamline procurement and grant tracking systems.
• Relationship Management & Collaboration: Builds and maintains productive, collaborative working relationships across internal divisions, fiscal agents, vendors, and external program partners.
• Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking: Uses logic and critical thinking to resolve complex operational or financial discrepancies and navigate state administrative procedures.

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Strong understanding or ability to learn public sector procurement processes, contracting workflows, and state fiscal rules.
• Exceptional organizational skills, high attention to detail, and proven ability to prioritize multiple complex tasks under strict timelines.
• Demonstrated Budget Expertise. Proven ability to accurately track program expenditures, conduct financial reconciliations, and actively monitor overall spend-down rates.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required to interact effectively with state officials, vendors, and business community stakeholders.
• High proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, finance, international relations, or a related field. An equivalent combination of education and professional experience will be considered.
• Experience: 2–4 years of progressive professional experience in administrative support, public sector procurement, contract management, or grant administration.
• System Experience: Hands-on experience using Salesforce (or comparable CRM software) and state accounting systems (such as Colorado's CORE system) is highly desirable.

Supplemental Information

Salary Range: $65,000 - $75,000 Annually

This position is considered non-classified, which means the position is not part of the Colorado State Personnel System. Therefore, the individual appointed to this position is considered at-will, and is not covered by the State Personnel Rules or the State Classification System. However, this position does come with the same benefits (retirement, insurance, etc.) as every other State employee, and with the same opportunities, pride and passion that comes with working for the great State of Colorado. Even though employment is at-will, non-classified positions have protections against discrimination and retaliation in state and federal employment laws. "At-will" employment means that either the employee or the State may terminate the employment relationship at any time for any reason or no reason, with or without notice or cause, as long as no federal or state law is violated.

Benefits

The State of Colorado/Office of the Governor offers generous benefits to full-time employees including:

• Annual leave accrued at 10.66 hours per month
• Sick leave accrued at 5.33 hours a month
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Medical plans - choice of Cigna or Kaiser; several plan options (including High Deductible Health Plan with HSA); most plans offered with significant state contribution towards premium
• Dental and vision plans
• Flexible spending accounts
• State-paid life insurance policy of $50,000
• Choice of 2 retirement plans (defined contribution or defined benefit) with generous state contribution
• Optional 401(k) and 457 plans for additional retirement savings
• State-paid short-term disability coverage
• Access to the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program
• Membership opportunity with the Credit Union of Colorado
• Training and professional development

To learn more about State of Colorado benefits, please visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/benefits

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

To learn more about the “State of Colorado For All”, visit our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion website .

ADAAA Accommodations

The Office of the Governor is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Staffing Coordinator, the Director of Human Resources: [e-mail]