Grants and Contracts Manager

Rural Innovation Strategies, Inc. is a social impact consulting firm dedicated to serving rural America in finding renewed prosperity and economic sustainability through the tech economy. Our multi-disciplinary team of strategists, capacity builders, and data scientists help rural leaders create an economy that can attract and retain technology skills, resources, and businesses. Our services include tech-based economic development, data mapping and analytics, federal grant writing support, broadband and entrepreneurship consulting (including startup incubation and acceleration, innovation workshops, entrepreneurship program design and capacity building, and placemaking). With deep rural expertise, we identify what each community needs, whether improved funding, or an attractive environment for tech workers and entrepreneurs, and help unlock the funding needed to make this vision possible.
Job Description:
We are seeking a key member of our Operations team that will be instrumental in managing our growing portfolio of federal and philanthropic Grants and corporate contracts. This role requires a deep understanding of federal grant regulations and compliance, and contract law, coupled with at least five years of experience working within / overseeing the complete lifecycle of federal Grants and corporate contracts, from application to closure, ensuring adherence to all laws, regulations, and guidelines.
This position is geared towards individuals that are interested in gaining exposure to a broad range of financial management topics while serving multiple client entities across a growing enterprise that is at the intersection of tech-based rural economic development and venture capital within a mission-driven context.
The Grants and Contracts Manager will work across many teams and interface with various federal agencies and stakeholders. Responsibilities vary based upon grant / contract type but generally include:
Federal Grants:

• Responsible for all financial grant management tasks including accurate tracking and recordkeeping of grant-related transactions ensuring compliance with GAAP and the Single Audit Act, and the preparation and submission of online quarterly reimbursement requests ensuring compliance with federal requirements and standards.
• Develop federal grant budgets in collaboration with the Controller and project teams.
• Oversee and ensure compliance with all federal grant requirements, including OMB Uniform Guidance and specific federal agency regulations.
• Lead the annual process of renewing our Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) for multiple entities.

Philanthropic Grants:

• Develop philanthropic grant budgets in collaboration with the Development team, the Controller and project teams, and prepare financial performance reporting for funders upon request.
• Maintain the financial records of philanthropic grants from award to completion.

Corporate Contracts:

• Own the contract management process, from executing contracts with clients at the beginning of an engagement to closing out the process when the engagement is complete.
• Draft legally binding contracts for fee-for-service, client-facing professional services and validate budget assumptions in collaboration with the Controller and project teams.
• Function as a direct line negotiator with RISI customers and partners, and draft and finalize Statements of Work, Order Schedules, and NDAs.
• Design and maintain an accurate, up-to-date system to track contracting and invoicing for fee-for-service work while maintaining correspondence and documentation consistent with RISI's record retention policies.

Other duties:

• Serve as the point person on financial matters related to Grants and Contracts and assist with complex/problem situations while providing technical expertise.
• Collaborate with external auditors, state agencies, and federal officials during audits and inquiries.
• Analyze monthly budget to actual financial results and work with project teams to identify issues and opportunities for improvement.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements
Required Skills/Attributes:

• Outstanding analytical skills, detail-oriented, proactive and self-motivated
• Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and verbal communication skills relative to grants, corporate contracts, statements of work, non-disclosure agreements, etc.
• Ability to interpret and convey complex regulatory and/or contractual information.
• Demonstrated strength in rigorous analysis and structured problem solving while maintaining a proactive approach towards compliance and risk management
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal grant regulations, including OMB Uniform Guidance and other relevant federal policies.
• Strong computer skills, including use of Google Enterprise tools, project management tools, and web-based tools and databases

• Self-directed, and able to thrive in a collaborative team environment
• Attentive to detail and curiosity in learning new, technical material

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, Finance or related field; specialized training in federal grant management preferred.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in federal grant management and compliance, philanthropic grants, and corporate contracting
• Exposure to non-profit accounting principles / recordkeeping

Physical Requirements:
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Location:
Fully remote, but will require travel to Hartland, VT headquarters and/or other rural locations 4-5 times a year for in-person meetings.
**We are seeking candidates who currently live in a rural area or have lived in a rural area for more than 5 years. Rural is defined as a town with a Rural Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) code of 4 or higher as determined by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy.**
IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Please make sure your application materials are tailored to showcase your ability to succeed in this specific role.
• Due to the pace of this search, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
• RISI will manage the application and review process using our Workable platform. Please direct all inquiries through this system. We are unable to respond to phone and email inquiries at this time.
• Due to scheduling complexities, candidates on the West Coast/Pacific Time zone are not in consideration for this role.

Benefits

• Annual professional development allowance
• 100% employer paid health, dental, vision, and short-term disability insurance
• 5% employer matched 401k after 90 days
• Home office set-up allowance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Fifteen days accrued PTO, plus eight floating holidays
• The salary for this position is $80,000 - $90,000 depending on experience
  We are an Equal Opportunity Employer-people of color, people with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to a diverse workplace, and to supporting our staff with ongoing career development opportunities. We are interested in your ambitions, personal experiences, great ideas, and passions, and believe that everyone's unique story and perspective adds value to our organization.