Director, Government Grants & Contracts

About JFF:  

Jobs for the Future (JFF) drives transformation of the American workforce and education systems to achieve equitable economic advancement for all. 

Uniquely situated at the intersection of education and workforce, for nearly 40 years, JFF has led the way in designing innovative and scalable solutions to ensure that all Americans have the skills, resources, and credentials they need to achieve economic advancement. JFF works with partners across the field to improve labor market outcomes for youth and adults—particularly for individuals who face barriers to economic mobility and populations that have been historically denied opportunity.    

JFF operates at the national, state, and local levels to bridge education, workforce, and policy within regions of all sizes. The organization employs a staff of more than 300 across the U.S., both fully remote and in offices in Boston (headquarters); Washington, DC; and Oakland, CA. The organization has a $105 million operating budget and is on a path of continued scale and impact. JFF has developed powerful partnerships and networks across the public, private and non-profit sectors and is funded by dozens of leading government agencies, foundations, and corporations. JFF’s work is guided by a set of five strategic priority areas. 

Learn more about JFF and join us as we build a future that works.  

About the position:  

JFF is experiencing a period of unprecedented growth and is strategically organizing to scale its impact. As a result, we have recently created multiple new positions and departments to build a solid foundation for growth in support of our mission to drive equitable economic advancement for all. The Director, Grants & Contracts plays a critical role in advancing JFF’s pursuit of public sector funding opportunities that support JFF’s mission as the organization continues to grow. The Director will lead JFF’s pursuit of federal grants and support JFF’s efforts to secure federal, State and local contracts (most notably, the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor, and other agencies) as well as corporate and individual funding opportunities, as the need arises.    

Reporting to the Senior Director, Government Business Development and as part of the broader Development team, and in close collaboration with program-area leaders, you will lead proposal development for mission-aligned federal grants, as well as state/local grants and contracts in targeted states. You will work closely with other members of the Development Team and colleagues in program roles, who will be responsible for executing on these grant and contract awards. You will operate with significant autonomy, with input from cross-functional teams that will ensure you  submit the most successful and competitive proposals.  

This role is an ideal opportunity for someone who is deeply passionate about workforce development and education and wants to work in one of the most well-respected and high-growth oriented organizations in the space.  

The ideal candidate for this role will have demonstrated expertise in public sector grant and contract proposal development, coupled with exceptional collaboration, communication, grant writing, and project management skills. You will bring a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and will be excited to work in an impact-oriented and highly collaborative environment. 

This role is a remote or hybrid position, depending on the preference of the candidate. We have offices in Boston, Washington, DC, and Oakland.  

What you'll do:   

Proposal Development 

• Lead the Development Team’s federal and other public sector grant proposal processes, including the writing, editing, submission, and oversight of all proposal documentation and compliance with submission requirements, ensuring a high quality proposal.  

• Support the Development Team's federal, state, and local government contract proposal processes, including writing, editing, submission, and oversight of all proposal documentation and compliance with submission requirements, ensuring a high quality proposal. 
• Track and analyze federal and other public RFPs to identify potential opportunities, vet with internal stakeholders, and ensure alignment with JFF’s strategic priorities. 
• As needed, collaborate with program-area leaders on writing and editing compelling and audience-centered proposals for national and local foundations  and corporate funders.  
• Monitor proposal outcomes to identify effective strategies and to improve JFF’s proposal development process. 

  Relationship Building and Management  

• Manage relationships with relevant external partners throughout the proposal development process as well as to support the ongoing identification of new grant and contract opportunities. 
• Build and maintain close working relationships with program leaders accountable for fundraising for the purposes of developing high quality proposals. 
• Identify, convene and manage internal proposal teams comprised of Program, Finance, and Development Team staff members. 

Project Management  

• Manage federal and other public sector proposal processes in response to competitive RFPs from project kickoff through submission. 
• Identify opportunities to improve the processes and systems needed to effectively manage the proposal process. 
• Contribute to the Development Team’s boilerplate library with pertinent information from proposal submissions. 
• Provide guidance and quality assurance to internal project teams on post-award federal contract management and grant reporting. 

Who you are:   

• You have 7+ years of relevant experience in fundraising or business development in the public sector or nonprofit arena. 
• You have a track record of success in pursuing grants from federal agencies and other public sector clients, with exposure to garnering support from foundations, corporations, and individuals. 
• You have excellent, audience-centered written and verbal communication skills as well as outstanding attention to detail. 

• You are a skilled project manager who excels at meeting deadlines, working collaboratively with cross-functional teams, and effectively managing multiple projects simultaneously. 
• You possess comfort and facility in exercising influence without authority and know how to effectively engage, motivate, and communicate with cross-organizational teams and external partners. 
• You have experience utilizing databases and CRMs (JFF uses Salesforce) and bring a process and systems improvement orientation to your work. 
• You possess high energy and passion for JFF’s mission and the ability to apply JFF’s core values to all areas of your work. 
• You model inclusive leadership, working effectively with colleagues from a diverse range of backgrounds, and building and stewarding an organizational culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

• You build positive, effective, collaborative cultures and teams wherever you work. 
• You are a curious and adaptive learner, with a willingness to take in new information, perspectives and data to inform your work. 
• You demonstrate a growth mindset and a desire to continuously improve in your work 
• You have experience developing budgets and/or cost proposals for federal and other public sector opportunities, including estimating and pricing levels of effort (preferred, not required, experience) 
• You have direct grant and/or contract management experience (preferred experience, not required) 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at JFF:  

JFF is committed to sustaining a diverse community with a work environment that is welcoming, respectful, and encouraging to all. JFF fosters a culture of inclusion that celebrates and cultivates diversity along multiple dimensions, including race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, socioeconomic status, religion, ability, culture, and experience. As part of our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, JFF strongly encourages people impacted by the criminal legal system to apply.  

To apply:  

As part of your application, please include your resume and a thoughtful cover letter, addressed to Page Sciotto, Senior Director, Development Strategy & Operations, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position. 

Positions at JFF are not eligible for employer-visa sponsorship or open to F-1 student visa holders.  

All JFF employees are required to be fully up to date on their vaccinations against COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption has been requested and a reasonable accommodation approved.   

JFF offers a competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience and skills.