Partners for Rural Impact’s (PRI) ultimate goal is for an America where all kids are successful, regardless of zip code, income, background, or ability.  At PRI, our focus is on ensuring that all children in rural places achieve success. Partners for Rural Impact was born out of our place-based partnership in Appalachia, where we’ve worked for 25 years to create student opportunity and success. 

  

Position Summary 

The Director of Strategic Grant Finance facilitates grant services systems, infrastructure, and cross-functional processes that support effective grant acquisition, compliance, and organizational performance. This role drives continuous improvement and process optimization across grant and financial operations, supports pre-award activities in collaboration with Funding Infrastructure, conducts strategic financial analysis, and performs year-end audit activities related to Grant Services.  The role supports seamless coordination with the Director of Post-Award, leads special projects related to grant services and financial operations, and drives continuous improvement efforts that enhance efficiency, accountability, and alignment with organizational priorities.  During peak submission periods, the team operates in an all-hands model to ensure the successful development and submission of proposals. This role may provide support across both pre- and post-award functions as needed to meet organizational deadlines. The Director of Strategic Grant Finance operates with the Partners for Rural Impact goal in mind that All Rural Students Succeed.    

Primary Duties and Responsibilities 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily. The requirements of the position are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required, with regular and predictable attendance essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

  

• Support pre-award grant activities, including proposal coordination, and submission support, while ensuring effective award transition and partnership with the Director of Post-Award for ongoing grant administration and compliance 

• Manage grant-related systems and infrastructure, including technical Salesforce assistance, document libraries, and external grant portals, to implement funding opportunities 

• Maintain organizational registrations and submission systems to ensure eligibility for public and private funding opportunities 

• Support the technical development and submission of federal and private grant proposals in collaboration with Funding Infrastructure, CEO, program and finance teams 

• Develop compliant proposal budgets, conduct strategic financial analysis across the grant portfolio, and support post-award financial management, including indirect cost calculations and subrecipient monitoring 

• Serve as a primary liaison with Finance and the Controller on audits, providing direct support for year-end close activities, Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) preparation, and the Single Audit, ensuring adherence to financial and regulatory requirements 

• Provide grant-related guidance and technical assistance to program, accounting, purchasing, and operations teams, including documentation, reporting, and compliance support 

• Design and deliver trainings to ensure staff understand and apply PRI processes and procedures consistently 

• Provide direct supervision and performance oversight of staff setting clear expectations and holding teams accountable for results 

• Lead continuous improvement and process optimization efforts across grant and finance operations, developing and refining tools, workflows, internal controls, and documentation to strengthen efficiency, accountability, and compliance 

• Identify and mitigate operational, financial, and compliance risks across assigned grants and projects 

• Lead and support cross-functional projects and initiatives related to grant services, financial operations, and process improvement, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and measurable outcomes 

• Contribute to departmental leadership and planning, including strategic financial analysis, financial forecasting, and identification of process improvement opportunities 

• Other roles/duties will be assigned as necessary to assist and support in the attainment of our mission, All Rural Students Succeed 
   

Position Location & Schedule 

  

The position will be considered for remote work with local, state, and sometimes national travel required. 

 

Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET with in-office, hybrid and/or remote work a possibility. Because of the nature of the responsibility to schools, partners, funders, and to the service region, individual offices or departments may have operating hours that extend beyond this period and may include evening and/or weekend hours. 

 

Minimum Qualifications 

Education required to ensure success in this position: 

• A Bachelor’s Degree in business, finance, management or related field, required 

• Nonprofit experience preferred 

 

Experience required to ensure success in this position: 

• At least 7 years of experience in grants management, including mid to high level financial management, budgeting, forecasting and accounting experience managing multi-million dollar budgets 

• 3+ years of supervising staff  

• Knowledge of multiple investment and funding mechanism including contracts, subawards, federal funding, state funding, and private investment with experience in braiding together multiple funding types 

• Ability to build relationships and work collaboratively with others while also holding them accountable for tasks and timelines 

• Demonstrated project management experience with a focus on developing systems and tracking action items. 

• Experience developing and implementing strategic initiatives aligned with organizational goals 

• Advanced Excel skills, and preferably experience with or knowledge of recent AI tools to enhance financial analysis 
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal skills, diplomacy, and ability to develop positive working relationship

Special skills, knowledge and abilities: 

• Knowledge of computerized accounting system. 

• Knowledge of federal grant procedures and finances, including match and indirect calculations. 

• Knowledge of and experience with electronic grant funding systems, including eGrants, Grants.Gov, and SAM.gov. 

• Knowledge of the 2 CFR 200, EDGAR, and other federal, state, and local grant regulations. 

• Strong organization, interpersonal, written and verbal skills. 

• Thorough understanding and ability to apply fundamental accounting principles. 

• Strong numerical and analytical skills. 

• Accuracy, organization and attention to detail. 

• Maintain confidentiality as required in all areas of the position. 

• Proven ability to work as a team player and appropriately exhibit a positive attitude. 

• Superior interpersonal and organizational skills. 

• Collaborative and collegial leadership style. 

• Demonstrated ability to cross boundaries of race, class, ethnic origin and personal philosophy; capacity to work effectively with a broad range of constituencies.  

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to establish priorities, ability to deal with pressure of deadlines, ability to handle unpleasant situations with diplomacy and tact and ability to do tasks without constant direct supervision. 

• Ability to read, understand and analyze written and electronic instructions related to financial management, general ledger and reporting.  

• Competencies to directly supervise staff. 

License, certification, or registration necessary: 

• Must have access to reliable transportation 

• Successfully complete pre-employment background check 

 

Physical requirements: 

• Ability to sit for long periods of time with computer use 

• Ability to accurately communicate and exchange information with partners, stakeholders, and/or meeting participants 

 

Environmental conditions: 

• Work in a fast-paced setting with frequent interruptions and shifting priorities 
   

Additional Company Information  

PRI offers a wide array of benefit options, to meet the financial, educational, and health needs of you and your family. 

• Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage. 

• Flexible spending accounts, plus an employee assistance program. 

• Life and long-term disability insurance and retirement plan. 

• Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave, and annual holidays, in addition to paid parental leave. 

• Tuition assistance and professional development for employees. 

  

Partners for Rural Impact is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.  

 

---