Grants & Community Engagement Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Department: Civil (Dedicated) - Embedded via Marketing Operations

Reports to: Director of Communications & Strategic Initiatives

Dotted line: Civil Principal - priorities, Go/No-Go inputs, and funding calendars

JOB SUMMARY: The Grants & Community Engagement Specialist plays a key role in driving the Civil group’s growth by securing competitive funding and coordinating the pursuit process end-to-end. This role is funding-led (grant discovery, strategy, writing/assembly, compliance) with community engagement and pursuit logistics to convert awards into projects.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Funding:

• Own and manage Civil’s funding calendar: identify funding programs, qualify fit, track deadlines, and coordinate readiness.
• Lead grant narrative and compliance assembly; maintain checklists; conduct post-award and post-denial debriefs and share learnings.
• Maintain a live pipeline of opportunities; brief Civil leadership regularly.
• Partner with Funding Technical Advisor and other stakeholders to ensure all grant/funding information is accurate, compliant, and timely.
• Monitor funding opportunities from federal, state, and local sources relevant to infrastructure and civil projects.
• Assist and support Associates and Principals with grant applications as needed.
• Prioritize Civil work exclusively during funding cycles.

Pursuit/Proposal Quarterbacking:

• Run Go/No-Go prep: funding fit, client context, schedule, risks for Civil leadership decision.
• In coordination with marketing department, prepare and submit compelling proposals, ensuring alignment with project objectives and client needs.
• Gather forms, certifications, ownership/licensure lists, and shepherd inputs from principals/shareholders ; enforce deadlines.
• Coordinate with marketing production for layout and graphics; this role does not perform design production.

Community Engagement & BD Support:

• Plan and execute municipal outreach touchpoints; log interactions and next steps.
• Drive and develop new business leads for municipal projects.
• Maintain and develop existing municipal client relationships.
• Foster positive relationships with community members, local officials, and organizations to ensure inclusive and informed planning processes.
• Ensure all collateral aligns with firm branding and Marketing standards.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 5+ years in municipal grants, community/economic development, or infrastructure funding roles with a proven track record of awarded projects.
• Strong project coordination and deadline discipline.
• Excellent communication with public officials and community groups.
• A/E/C or municipal planning background preferred.