Pre Award Grant Manager (26-27)

Pre Award Grants Manager

Mission:

Reporting to the Director of Philanthropic Grants, the Pre Award Grants Manager will play a pivotal role on IDEA Public Schools’ Advancement team by managing pre-award activities for philanthropic grants. This position leads the end-to-end management of foundation grant applications, including prospect tracking, opportunity identification, and proposal development and submission, aligned with IDEA’s mission and strategic priorities. The Pre Award Grants Manager also partners with Development staff to support grant applications, maintains accurate documentation and deadlines, contributes to prospect research, and supports special projects to strengthen team systems and processes.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This role does not currently supervise staff but works closely with the Director of Philanthropic Grants, Development staff, and other Advancement team members to execute grant-related strategies and deliverables.

Location:

This is a full-time position based in Texas, with preference given to candidates who live in Austin, El Paso, Houston, Permian Basin (Midland/Odessa), Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and Tarrant County (Fort Worth), or who are willing to relocate.

Travel Expectations:

Occasional travel (less than 10%) may be required for team meetings, site visits, or regional collaboration.

What You’ll Do – Accountabilities

Essential Duties:

· Conduct initial prospect research and pipeline development for foundation opportunities. Collaborate with the Prospect Strategy and Research team to identify and qualify new foundation funding opportunities to provide briefing materials, funder analyses, and strategic recommendations to support Development staff and Advancement leadership in pursuing grant awards.

· Manage the intake, evaluation, tracking, and prioritization of new grant opportunities, ensuring timely submissions and alignment with organizational strategy and funding capacity.

· Lead the development, writing, and submission of high-quality grant applications and proposals to philanthropic foundations across IDEA Public Schools Texas regions, ensuring alignment with IDEA’s strategic priorities and funding goals.

· Maintain accurate grant records in Salesforce and contribute to process improvements that strengthen IDEA’s philanthropic grants program.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

· Support Development staff with grant opportunities, including developing narratives and ensuring alignment with IDEA’s goals.

· Assist with special projects for the Philanthropic Grants team, including developing templates, case materials, and process documentation.

· Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure grant compliance, funder recognition, and alignment with organizational priorities.

· Monitor grant deadlines and track progress toward key milestones for philanthropic grants.

· Provide recommendations for improving grant management processes and systems to increase efficiency and effectiveness.

Knowledge and Skills – Competencies

• Make Strategic Decisions: This team member makes informed decisions by gathering reliable information, asking clarifying questions, and evaluating multiple options. They thoughtfully align their choices with team objectives, current responsibilities, and the broader mission of the organization.

• Manage Work and Teams: This team member sets clear, measurable goals and regularly reflects on progress, adjusting actions as needed. They prioritize work aligned with their goals using a task management system and consistently meet deadlines through effective time management.

• Grow Self and Others: This team member demonstrates self-awareness by actively seeking and thoughtfully responding to feedback with curiosity and a growth mindset. They identify development areas, implement feedback when appropriate, and pursue opportunities to build their knowledge and skills

• Build a Culture of Trust: This team member consistently demonstrates self-awareness and emotional intelligence, fostering psychological safety and trust within the team. They build respectful, reliable relationships and engage in direct, compassionate feedback, supporting a culture of honesty and mutual respect.

• Communicate Deliberately: This team member communicates clearly and professionally, delivering concise messages tailored to their audience. They actively listen, engage in dialogue by asking and clarifying questions, and follow up to ensure shared understanding in both individual and group settings.

Additional Skills:

· Strong track record of identifying, researching, and evaluating prospective funders to ensure clear strategic alignment and strengthen grant application outcomes.

· Strong writing and project management skills with experience drafting compelling grant proposals.

· Familiarity with philanthropic grantmaking processes, compliance, and reporting requirements.

· Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

· Collaborative mindset and ability to work effectively with colleagues across functions.

Required Education and Experience:

· Bachelor’s degree required

· Minimum 3 years of experience in development or philanthropic grant management

Preferred Education and Experience:

· Experience in education or nonprofit fundraising strongly preferred.

Physical Requirements:

· This is a sedentary role.

What We Offer:

Compensation & Benefits:

Salaries for people entering this role typically fall between $63,400 and $73,300, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity. This role is also eligible for performance pay based on organizational performance and goal attainment.

Additionally, we offer medical, dental, and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. You can find more information about our benefits at https://ideapublicschools.org/careers/benefits/.

* IDEA may offer a relocation stipend to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.

Application process:

Submit your application online through Jobvite. Please note that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Learn more about IDEA

At IDEA the Staff Experience Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members. Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here: https://ideapublicschools.org/our-story/#core-values