Grants Financial Manager

Lighthouse for the Blind • New Orleans, LA, United States • $200k - $250k / year • 4w ago

Job Overview

Job Summary: The Grants Financial Manager (GFM) will report to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and have oversight for all financial management activities associated with the effective and accurate management of grant funds awarded to Lighthouse Louisiana. The GFM must ensure all financial activities align with a grant’s project goals and financial reporting requirements, so the Lighthouse remains compliant with all financial aspects associated with the funder’s terms and standards governing the grant award.

The core functions of this role rely on the GFM’s ability to collaborate with programmatic staff in a manner that supports meticulous handling of grant funds to ensure that every dollar of a grant award is used to further the project’s goals and build trust with the grantor and stakeholders through clear, organized, and timely application of financial practices and standard accounting principles.

Duties

The GFM will be responsible for the following core job duties:

Knowledge of Grant/Project Financial Terms & Conditions: Understand the financial requirements, terms, and intricacies of the Lighthouse’s grants and project agreements, identifying all financial commitments and requirements that must be adhered to. Pay close attention to any restrictions on the use of funds and allowances that may be tied to specific grant awards. Alert the CFO and grant/project director to any unique or exceptional concerns, financial practices specific to grant awards.
Budgeting: Work with the CFO and grant/project director to develop a comprehensive budget that aligns with the project goals and funder requirements for a grant/project award and continue to monitor the budget closely throughout the life cycle of the grant/project to alert the CFO and grant/project director if realignment of funding within the approved grant/project budget may be needed.
Expenditure Tracking: Monitor and track grant- or project-related expenditures to ensure they align with the approved grant/project budget, always utilizing the Lighthouse’s accounting system and standardized grant-related expenditure tracking templates. Alert the CFO and appropriate programmatic staff in a timely manner to any inconsistencies, errors, or concerns relative to expenditure tracking.
Compliance: Adhere to the specific guidelines, requirements, and regulations set forth by the grantor, the Lighthouse, or other governing entities pursuant to the grant award. Ensure financial practices comply with Lighthouse financial requirements and standard accounting principles.
Reporting: Provide accurate and timely financial reports at the specified intervals to the grantor, CFO, and/or Lighthouse leadership that demonstrate how grant funds are used and the financial progress towards grant goals. Coordinate with other Lighthouse Accounting staff and grant partners to ensure accurate billing and/or drawdown of funds based on Lighthouse reporting and accounting system data.
Documentation: Maintain thorough and accurate documentation of all financial transactions and relevant paperwork associated with grant/project funds and as required by the grantor, the Lighthouse, or other governing entities pursuant to the grant award.
Audit Preparation: Under the leadership of the CFO and Controller, be prepared for financial audits associated with grant awards to ensure transparency and accountability providing all required documentation supporting the usage of grant/project funds.
Financial Planning: Continuously work with the grant/project director or other designated program staff to strategically plan for the effective utilization of grant funds to maximize the impact of the grant and successfully achieve the grant’s goals.
Financial Activities Awareness: Participate in ongoing training and technical assistance related to the financial activities associated with grants/projects. Attend all grantor or Lighthouse meetings relative to the financial and programmatic matters that may impact a grant/project award from a financial aspect.
Communication: Establish clear communication channels with the grantor’s financial management officer, project official(s), the Lighthouse’s grant/project director, and accounting team regarding financial matters and any changes in the project that may affect funding, expenditures, or compliance with the grant’s approved budget.
Financial Analysis: Analyze financial data associated with grants/projects to ensure the greatest financial impact, cost effectiveness, and total alignment with grant/project goals.
Risk Management: Identify and mitigate financial risks to ensure the smooth execution of the grant/project and relative goals. Perform the necessary financial research to determine deficiencies or areas of risk that may exist and work with the CFO and the grant/project director to mitigate identified risks.
Grant Closeout: Properly and timely close out grants/projects by meeting all financial reporting requirements and working closely with the CFO and grant/project director to determine if any grantor refunds are due or budget realignments may be needed to fully expend funds prior to closeout.
Grants Financial Liaison: Serve as a financial liaison and technical advisor in collaboration with the CFO and grant/project director about the financial aspects or financial monitoring of Lighthouse grants/projects. Under the direction of the CFO, serve as a primary Accounting Team contact on all financial aspects of Lighthouse grants/projects, and interface with partner agencies, external groups, stakeholders, etc. regarding the financial aspects of Lighthouse grants.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field. Prior financial management or grants management preferred.
Special Knowledge/Skills: Working knowledge of standard accounting & financial practices. Ability to adequately manage the financial aspects of multiple grants/projects and meet deadlines. Excellent organizational, typing, oral, and written communication skills required. Attention to detail is a must. Proficiency in MS Office Suite. Proficiency in NetSuite accounting software is a plus. Ability to interpret and apply grant rules & regulations.
Experience: Minimum of 2 years’ proven experience in financial or grant management, working with diverse populations, is required. State, federal, or non-profit financial and/or grant management preferred. Individuals with relevant work experience and/or from impacted communities, particularly those with multiple marginalizations, are strongly encouraged to apply.
Supervisory Responsibility: No supervisory responsibility; however, must have the ability to lead and facilitate collaborative groups with strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with partners and stakeholders from diverse groups.
Physical: Able to travel throughout the facility to safely and effectively manage all work responsibilities, breaks, and emergency evacuations, with or without a reasonable accommodation. Able to manage all self-care needs and activities of daily living as required to support successful employment, with or without a reasonable accommodation.
Personality Traits: A self-starter who is well organized, punctual, independent, personable, dependable, able to motivate and work well with others, enthusiastic, adaptive, confident, positive, and flexible. Can manage conflict and find common ground. Must be capable of interacting with a variety of personalities and cultures in a professional and courteous manner.
Working Conditions: Office setting with options for remote work, including offsite office locations with community partners. Must possess reliable transportation to travel independently to offsite locations when necessary.
Work Schedule: Full time, 40 hours weekly schedule. May require occasional overtime and some evening and weekend work under extraordinary circumstances.
Background Check and Drug Testing required: Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results.
Federal Suitability Requirements: Certain federal grant awards require individuals to meet federal suitability requirements to perform the duties associated with the grant award. Employees who perform certain job duties associated with these grant awards must meet federal suitability requirements to secure and maintain employment with the Lighthouse. Applicants/Candidates will be notified if federal suitability requirements are applicable.

This job description does not imply that these are the only duties to be performed. The incumbent in this position will perform such other tasks as may be required for the effective operation of the Division/Department upon request by his/her supervisor.

At Lighthouse Louisiana, we are committed to the principles of equal employment. We comply with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, and all other employment laws and regulations. We are dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy regarding all aspects of employment including, but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay (and other compensation), termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. In addition, we take affirmative actions to recruit, hire, promote and retain veterans.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $65,000.00 - $71,000.00 per year

Benefits: