Job Application for Senior Director, Federal Grants at Achievement First Network Support

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Team: Development
Job Level: Senior Director
Reports To: Associate Chief
Location: New Haven CT, New York City NY, Stamford CT
Standard Work Hours: 8a-5p
Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time

About Achievement First

Achievement First (AF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that currently supports 41 public charter schools in New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Consistently rated as one of the top charter school networks in the country for almost 25 years, AF is committed to continuous improvement, programmatic evolution for enhanced student outcomes, and sustainable growth. The majority of AF students are Black and Latinx children from low-income families who will be the first in their families to graduate from college. AF currently employs more than 2,200 staff — 64% of whom identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color — who collectively educate nearly 15,000 students in Brooklyn and Queens, NY; New Haven, Bridgeport, and Hartford, CT; and Providence, RI.

The mission of Achievement First is to deliver on the promise of equal educational opportunity for all of America’s children. AF knows that every child—regardless of race, zip code, or economic status—deserves access to great schools. At AF, students realize their potential and develop the skills they need to graduate from high school, succeed in college, thrive in a competitive world, and serve as the next generation of leaders in their communities. At AF, students and staff embark on a shared journey to fulfill their incredible potential.

Your Impact

The Senior Director of Federal Grants will lead Achievement First’s federal grants management across all regions, serving as the primary expert in application and financial oversight for both competitive and non-competitive federal, state, and public grants. This role is essential in securing and managing public funds, maintaining compliance, and aligning resources with the organization's strategic goals. The Senior Director will manage a team, provide professional development, and collaborate across departments to enhance financial analysis, reporting, and compliance.

This role offers a dynamic blend of in-office and field work, providing the opportunity to connect with teams across multiple regions. You’ll spend two days per week working from one of our three regional offices or an Achievement First school in locations such as New York, Brooklyn, New Haven, Bridgeport, Hartford, or Providence. Additionally, once a month, you’ll visit one of our regions to meet directly with regional public grants staff and engage with our school communities, ensuring a hands-on approach to supporting our mission and driving grant impact.

Reporting to the Associate Chief of Development, your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Team Management

Supervise and mentor a team of three full-time regional staff.
Set and track performance goals, ensuring growth and cross-departmental collaboration.
Oversee consultants and part-time staff funded by grants, managing grants over $1 million.

Network-Wide Public Grants Strategy

Manage Title Budgets and Entitlement Funds, totaling approximately $13 million across three states.
Direct the management of multi-year, multi-million dollar federal grants, including those from the Department of Education and Charter School Program.
Collaborate with finance and regional managers to ensure grants are allocated, recorded, and used in alignment with Achievement First’s strategic budgeting.
Identify and support program and staffing needs in partnership with the superintendent and finance teams.

Federal Grant Management and Compliance

Lead the monitoring and compliance of public grants across the network.
Ensure timely reporting to grant authorizers and maintain up-to-date calendars for all grant deadlines.
Work with regional teams to create a comprehensive grant guidebook covering application procedures, use of funds, and compliance.

Prospecting and Evaluation of New Grants

Develop an evaluation framework for identifying and assessing new federal, state, and local grants.
Guide regional managers in setting up a prospecting system to evaluate potential funding opportunities.

Project Management

Lead cross-functional projects within finance and program areas to enhance processes and improve grant management efficiency.

Skills You’ll Have

All candidates for this position will support AF core values, lead innovation, and manage projects to ensure our team, like our schools, are setting a high bar in all areas and pursuing it relentlessly. Bachelor’s degree required, M.Ed. or Ed.S. in Educational Administration preferred.

An ideal candidate will have the following experience and qualification:

7+ years of public grants management experience.
Experience with Title grants in large school districts, preferably in New York or Connecticut.
Proven success in managing and securing grants between $500,000 and $1,000,000.
Expertise in grant writing, project management, and data analysis.
Strong communication and organizational skills.
Advanced proficiency in MS Excel and Office 365 or Google Suite.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with school staff and candidates.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency in data management and tracking recruitment metrics.

In addition, the following characteristics are required to be successful on this team:

Strong ethics and ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
Confident in interacting with and influencing individuals at all levels within the organization
Ability to work autonomously as well as take direction as needed
Maturity, humility, strong work ethic, and a roll-up-my-sleeves attitude
Belief in the Achievement First mission and educational model

Compensation

Achievement First sets salaries are set through a lens of equity, and based on the requisite skills, education, and experience relevant to the role. The salary for this position is $130,842. In order to uphold our commitment to equity, Achievement First does not negotiate pay. Additionally, Achievement First offers to all regular, full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid time off, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, a 403(b) retirement benefit package with match, and paid Family Leave.

Achievement First is an equal opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity. People from all diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Spanish language proficiency is a plus. You can learn more about diversity at Achievement First here: http://achievementfirst.org/about-us/diversity/

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AF is interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Also, please note this employer doesn't participate in E-Verify.

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PERSONAL QUESTIONS We request that in addition to your application, you consider providing demographic information below. Completion of this information is completely voluntary and is not a requirement of employment. Any information you choose to provide will be treated as personal and confidential and will be kept separate from your application for employment. Additionally, as an equal opportunity employer and, consistent with applicable law, Achievement First provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in job application procedures. If you have difficulty using our online system and need an accommodation due to a disability, you may use this phone number to reach out and request that accommodation: 718.623.2660 What is your race or ethnicity?

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Senior Director, Federal Grants

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