Grants Manager

City of Decatur - Decatur, IL; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

14.5 paid holidays

Paid vacation and sick leave

Excellent health insurance

Strong retirement pension plan

Dedicated health center with free care

Job summary

City of Decatur in Decatur, IL seeks an experienced Grants Manager to lead the Grants Division and maximize funding for community priorities. You will oversee the full grant lifecycle from opportunity identification to reporting and closeout.

You will collaborate with City departments, ensure compliance, monitor expenditures, and guide grant administration with strong leadership and analytical skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field required.
• 3–5 years of grants administration, social service program administration, or accounting.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local policies, regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of federal and state grant administration, including funding sources, application processes, and reporting requirements.
• Knowledge of grant program audit requirements and best practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Grants Division and oversee federal, state, and other grant programs throughout their full life cycle.
• Identify funding opportunities aligned with City priorities and advise departments on pursuing them.
• Coordinate grant applications, project scopes, budgets, environmental reviews, and required documentation.
• Oversee grant budgets, expenditures, fund balances, reimbursements, and financial reporting.
• Monitor grants for compliance with funding requirements and City policies.

Skills

Grant administration

Budgeting

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Microsoft 365

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, finance, public administration, social service, or related field

Tools

IDIS

ACRES

SAM.gov

Grants.gov

SharePoint

Excel

Job description

$70,205 - $85,416

About the Opportunity

Make an impact. Maximize opportunity. Strengthen our community.

The City of Decatur is seeking an experienced Grants Manager to lead the Grants Division and maximize funding that advances community priorities. This position oversees the full grant lifecycle, from identifying funding opportunities and coordinating applications to managing compliance, monitoring expenditures, and completing required reporting.

The Grants Manager works across City departments to evaluate funding opportunities, guide grant administration, and help ensure funded projects achieve their goals and meet all requirements. The role combines grants management, financial oversight, compliance, analysis, problem-solving, and team leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Grants Division and oversee federal, state, and other grant programs throughout their full life cycle.
• Identify funding opportunities aligned with City priorities and advise departments on whether and how to pursue them.
• Coordinate grant applications, project scopes, budgets, environmental reviews, and required documentation.
• Serve as a resource to City departments from application through grant closeout.
• Oversee grant budgets, expenditures, fund balances, reimbursements, and financial reporting.
• Monitor grants for compliance with funding requirements, City policies, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Review program and financial documents, identify potential issues, and help departments address them.
• Ensure timely, accurate reporting and maintain grant records ready for review or audit.
• Research funding requirements, program expectations, performance measures, and emerging grant opportunities.
• Analyze budgets, expenditures, outcomes, and other program information to support recommendations.
• Prepare reports, budget materials, presentations, and recommendations for City leadership and City Council.
• Help shape policies, procedures, goals, and strategies that strengthen the City's approach to grants management.
• Lead, mentor, and develop Grants Division staff; prioritize work, delegate effectively, and ensure critical deadlines are met.
• Build productive relationships with City departments, grant partners, funding agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Promote responsive, solutions-focused service and help departments navigate complex grant requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, accounting, finance, public administration, social service, or a related field.
• Three to five years of experience in grants administration, social service program administration, or accounting.
• Equivalent combinations of education, experience, and training may be considered.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local policies, regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of federal and state grant administration, including funding sources, application processes, proposal development, and reporting requirements.
• Knowledge of grant program audit requirements and best practices.
• Knowledge of procurement processes, including competitive bidding procedures, and municipal financial planning principles and practices.
• Knowledge of Microsoft 365 applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and SharePoint.
• Ability to perform basic and advanced mathematical and statistical calculations and track project costs and expenditures in alignment with approved program budgets.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex laws, regulations, grant contracts, and compliance requirements.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to identify solutions when situations are not fully standardized.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while exercising sound judgment.
• Ability to perform effectively under pressure and meet strict grant program deadlines.
• Ability to supervise, mentor, and evaluate staff; delegate tasks; manage workloads; and provide clear direction to achieve team objectives.
• Ability to foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment, resolve conflicts, and hold staff accountable.

Preferred Qualifications

• Grants management designation such as Certified Grants Management Specialist (CGMS) or Grant Professional Certified (GPC) credential.
• Knowledge of grant administration systems such as IDIS, ACRES, SAM.gov, and Grants.gov.

What We Offer

• 14.5 paid holidays, including two personal days
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Excellent health insurance
• Strong retirement pension plan
• Dedicated health center with free check-ups, chronic care, bloodwork, immunizations, and many free prescriptions for employees and their dependents

Additional Details

The City of Decatur does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a continuous basis.

The City of Decatur is a drug-free workplace, including marijuana. Candidates will be subject to a post-offer pre-employment drug screen, physical exam, and background check.

Employees must reside within 50 miles of Decatur's corporate limits within 12 months of appointment.

Why Decatur?

Decatur offers an affordable, accessible place to live with opportunities to enjoy Lake Decatur, more than 2000 acres of parks and trails, arts and entertainment, and a strong employment community. Decatur was named the #1 Best Affordable Place to Live in the U.S. for 2025-2026 by U.S. News & World Report and is within driving distance of Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis.