Senior Manager of Grants

Position Summary


The Senior Manager of Grants provides strategic leadership for United Way of Central Indiana's grants development and compliance efforts across private foundation funding sources. The Senior Manager of Grants serves as the lead internal subject matter expert on grants compliance, partnering closely with Finance and Impact leadership to ensure full adherence to all regulatory, contractual, and reporting requirements. This role leads the execution of a comprehensive grants management system that ensures excellence in compliance, stewardship, reporting, and long-term funder engagement. The Senior Grants Manager will oversee and continuously improve internal grants systems, including the use of grants management platforms such as Instrumentl, to support prospecting, tracking, reporting, and strategic pipeline development.


This role also manages a portfolio of funders and is responsible for cultivating meaningful, mission-aligned relationships that extend beyond transactions to long-term partnership opportunities. In addition, the Senior Manager of Grants actively contributes to high-quality grant writing and reporting within their portfolio, and outside their portfolio on an as-needed basis. To be successful, the Senior Manager of Grants must build strong internal partnerships, possess a deep understanding of United Way's work, and demonstrate a passion for strengthening relationships that advance community impact and shared organizational goals. The Senior Manager of Grants will also collaborate closely with the Senior Director of Foundations & Government Partnerships to guide grant strategy, manage the grant portfolio, and ensure accurate and timely compliance.


Position Duties & Responsibilities


The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.


Strategic Grants Leadership & Compliance

• Serve as the lead internal subject matter expert on grants compliance for all grants, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements, contractual obligations, reporting timelines, and documentation standards.
• Partner with Finance and Impact leadership to establish clear compliance protocols at the outset of each grant and monitor performance throughout the grant lifecycle. This includes grant kick-off meetings, report kick-off meetings, and oversight of the Grant Program and Financial Compliance quarterly reports.
• Manage the end-to-end grant acknowledgment process, including oversight of the signature decision matrix for all funded proposals.
• Establish internal controls and tracking mechanisms to proactively mitigate compliance risks.
• Provide internal guidance on compliance expectations and documentation standards.

Grants Management System & Prospecting


Lead the effective use of grants management system to:

• • Identify and research new funding opportunities within assigned portfolio.
  • Track deadlines, reporting requirements, and deliverables for all grants
  • Support data-driven decision-making and portfolio strategy

• Develop and continuously improve grants management system to ensure accurate compliance, accountability, and transparency.
• Responsible for identification, prospect research, planning cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospective funders within portfolio.
• Develop portfolio-level grant-seeking recommendations and regularly communicate opportunities and strategies to the Senior Director of Foundations and Government Partnerships and Impact team leadership.

Portfolio Management & Funder Relationships

• Manage a portfolio of funders, leading:

• • Relationship strategy and engagement planning
  • Proposal development
  • Award negotiation (as appropriate)
  • Reporting and stewardship

• Cultivate meaningful, trust-based relationships with funders, positioning UWCI as a strategic partner rather than solely a grant recipient.
• Identify opportunities to deepen engagement through site visits, briefings, impact updates, collaborative discussions, and long-term investment strategies.
• Partner with internal leaders to ensure consistent, compelling communication that reflects impact and accountability.
• Achieve established revenue and performance goals aligned with broader organizational strategy.

Grant Writing & Reporting

• Write, edit, and provide strategic guidance on grant proposals and reports to ensure consistent, persuasive, and high-quality submissions.
• Collaborate with program and finance leads (and SII, as needed) to ensure reports are submitted in accordance with required protocols (portal, email, etc.) and meet all compliance standards.

Organizational Leadership & Collaboration

• Be knowledgeable about UWCI's work in Central Indiana and effectively communicate the organization's vision, strategy, and impact.
• Demonstrate adaptability and leadership in a dynamic environment, embracing additional responsibilities as needed.
• Foster a culture of accountability, relationship stewardship, and compliance excellence across teams.

Qualifications (Education & Experience)

• Bachelor's degree in philanthropic studies, public administration, business, marketing, or related field
• At least 4-6 years of demonstrated persuasive writing experience (e.g., grant proposals, reports, research papers, marketing materials)
• Demonstrated leadership in grant compliance, including documentation, reporting, and audit readiness
• Experience in nonprofit, social services, or related administrative environments
• Knowledge of the Central Indiana community and human services sector
• Experience using grants management systems (e.g., Instrumentl)

*Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of formal education where appropriate.


Knowledge & Technical Skills

• Advanced persuasive writing skills with the ability to strategically frame complex initiatives for funders and stakeholders
• Strong knowledge of grant compliance processes, regulatory requirements, and contractual obligations
• Ability to interpret financial reports and funding requirements to ensure accuracy and alignment
• Experience leveraging grants management systems to track deadlines, documentation, and reporting
• Strong prospect research and portfolio strategy capabilities
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to manage multiple complex deadlines simultaneously
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including comfort presenting to leadership, funders, and external stakeholders
• Sound judgment in managing day-to-day decisions and appropriately escalating non-standard or compliance-related risks
• Ability to operate with integrity, discretion, and cross-functional collaboration

Position Leader: Foundations and Government Partnerships Senior Director


Position Leads: N/A


FLSA Status: Exempt, Full-Time


Salary Range : Mid 60's to 70's


Benefits: Complete Benefits Package Available


Reviewed: March 2026

Equal Opportunity Employer


United Way of Central Indiana (UWCI) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.


To apply, please visit uwci.org/careers.


This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not a contract of employment. Employment with UWCI is at-will and may be terminated at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to applicable law. UWCI reserves the right to modify, interpret, or apply this position description as needed and to assign additional duties as appropriate.