Grants and Compliance Manager

$107,185.33 - $160,778.61/year Starting salary depends on qualifications but usually does not exceed the midpoint of the range. Nature of Work The Grants & Compliance Manager evaluates and applies for competitive federal, state, and private funding to advance the City’s housing and community development goals and oversees day‑to‑day operations of the Grants & Compliance Division. The role requires expertise in housing finance and building relationships with partners such as the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), Cook County, and the Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC) to develop collaborative partnerships. The position administers funded programs and projects, reports, and compliance for local, state and federal grants, including Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), and the PRO Housing competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It also oversees projects funded by the City’s Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) and other sources to achieve the goals of the City's Strategic Housing Plan, in collaboration with Planning & Zoning and Building & Development Services divisions. The manager supervises the Housing & Grants Supervisor and their direct reports: Senior Grants & Compliance Specialist, Housing & Economic Development Analyst, Housing Loan Specialist, and CDBG Financial Analyst. Essential Functions Identify, evaluate, and apply for competitive funding opportunities from federal, state, and private sources to support and expand housing and community development programs. Support development and implementation of programs and projects aligned with the City’s adopted plans and initiatives. Serve as the City’s subject‑matter expert in housing finance, including loan structuring, underwriting, and leveraging public/private funds for housing initiatives. Supervise the Housing & Grants Supervisor and provide strategic direction and support to their team. Oversee lifecycles of federal, state, and local grants including entitlement programs such as CDBG and HOME; ensure compliance with regulatory and reporting requirements, including the HUD Consolidated Plan process. Oversee implementation, reporting, and monitoring of programs and projects funded by the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) and other public/private sources. Ensure financial accountability and compliance for all grant‑funded projects. Build and maintain partnerships with regional and state agencies such as IHDA, CMAP, Cook County, and HACC to coordinate and align efforts on housing and community development initiatives. Represent the City in regional housing and grant‑related forums and consortia. Monitor program outcomes and submit required reports to funding agencies and City leadership in a timely, accurate manner. Develop and maintain performance metrics to assess the effectiveness of housing and grant programs. Contribute to development of policies and procedures that support equitable housing and grant administration. Work with nonprofit agencies and developers to leverage external resources and expand capacity to serve Evanston residents and businesses. Advise senior leadership and City Council on grant opportunities, program performance, and strategic initiatives. Foster professional development and ensure high performance across the Grants & Compliance Division. Collaborate with other divisions, such as Planning & Zoning and Building & Development Services, to integrate housing and community development goals. Ensure compliance with the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance (IHO). Staff the Housing & Community Development and Social Services Committees in compliance with the Open Meetings Act, including meeting notices, agendas, packets, and minutes. Attend City Council and other City Boards, Commissions, and Committee meetings as needed. Minimum Requirements of Work Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and seven years of work experience in Housing Policy, Public Administration, Real Estate Development, Grant Management, Financing, or a substantially similar area, OR ten years of comparable work experience in lieu of a degree. Minimum of four (4) years of progressively greater managerial and supervisory responsibility. Three (3) years of experience with affordable housing finance sources (e.g., HOME, Low‑Income Housing Tax Credits, or substantially similar). Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Grant writing and funding sources for housing and community development projects and programs. Budgeting and financial management, including federal single audits. Demonstrated track record of obtaining grant awards. Proficiency in housing and economic development finance documents, including project agreements, mortgages/loans, subordination agreements, and land use restriction agreements. Underwriting funding requests and assessing applicant capacity to carry out proposed work; budgets, staffing estimates, financial pro formas. Analyzing real estate pro formas, business plans, and other documents used to determine financial feasibility and return on investment. Applying principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Interpreting federal and state statutes and regulations, and technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form. Working with and relating to diverse groups from varying socioeconomic and racial/ethnic backgrounds. Organizational and management practices applied to analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs. Proficiency with modern office practices and technology, including personal computer hardware and software. Administrative principles and methods, including goal setting, program and budget development, and implementation. Methods and techniques of effective project management, contract administration, and preparation and presentation of technical reports. Clear and concise oral and written communication. A positive and proactive approach when responding promptly to the development community and residents. Availability to attend evening meetings as needed. Physical Requirements of Work Primarily sedentary position; occasional use of force to exert up to 10 pounds. Capability to lift, carry, sit, bend, stoop, climb, or otherwise move objects up to 25 pounds frequently; negligible force constantly to move objects. Ability to work occasionally outside in various weather and environmental conditions. Supervision Work performed under general supervision of the Director of Community Development. Supervision over professional staff; may act in the absence of the director as assigned. Public Contact Regular and frequent contact with department and division employees, other City employees, elected officials, individual citizens, and groups. Meetings conducted virtually and in person. Presentations during evening public meetings are part of the role. The City of Evanston is an equal‑opportunity employer and ensures against discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status, source of income, housing status, or gender identity. The City of Evanston is also committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. 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