Grant Strategy Director

The School District of Philadelphia; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 101,889 - 132,713; Full time

Job summary

The School District of Philadelphia seeks an Executive Director, Grant Development to lead the District’s grant strategy, development, and funding acquisition in support of student success and educational equity.

Reporting to the Chief of Staff, the role oversees the grant lifecycle from pre‑award to post‑award, coordinates with schools and central offices, and builds partnerships with governmental and philanthropic funders to maximize external resources for priority initiatives.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field is required.
• Ten years of full-time, progressive experience in grant development or related fields with at least five in leadership.
• Experience in large urban education settings and working with diverse communities is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements a comprehensive grant development strategy aligned to the District’s Plan.
• Advises leadership on funding opportunities, risks, and sustainability considerations.
• Oversees identification, cultivation, and pursuit of competitive grants from public and private sources.
• Establishes governance, policies, and procedures for grant management across the District.
• Manages relationships with government agencies, foundations, and funders to support priorities.
• Coordinates cross-functional teams to prepare high-quality proposals and ensure compliance.

Skills

Grant development

Proposal writing

Grant administration

Compliance

Monitoring

Reporting

Education

Master’s degree in Education / Public Administration / Business Administration / Nonprofit Management / Public Policy

Job description

The School District of Philadelphia seeks an Executive Director, Grant Development to lead the District’s grant strategy, development, and funding acquisition in support of student success and educational equity.

Reporting to the Chief of Staff, the role oversees the grant lifecycle from pre‑award to post‑award, coordinates with schools and central offices, and builds partnerships with governmental and philanthropic funders to maximize external resources for priority initiatives.