Senior Grants Manager

Overview

CJE SeniorLife Supportive Services create a caring environment dedicated to helping older adults stay independent and connected. Whether it's securing legal or financial assistance, making connections with new friends, or getting support through challenging times, we match older adults with the right program to address their immediate and long-term needs. Services we provide include benefits services, care management, caregiver resources, counseling services, food services, Holocaust Community services, and legal services. We are part of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Grants Manager to lead our proactive, relationship-based grants strategy at CJE SeniorLife. This pivotal role focuses on securing increased funding from private foundations, corporations, and government entities to support our mission of enhancing the quality of life for older adults. You will develop and execute strategies to maximize foundation, corporate, and government funding while cultivating relationships with funders and managing a portfolio of grants of up to $1M+. If you're passionate about social services, enjoy collaboration, and thrive as a strategic thinker, this position offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Compensation: $100,000+

Shift

Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm (with occasional nights or weekends for special meetings or events).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Drives Revenue Growth
  
  
  
  • Develops and executes strategies to maximize foundation, corporate, and government funding.
  • Cultivates relationships with funders.
  • Manages a portfolio of grants of $1M+.
  • Implements best practices in strategic prospect research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
  
  
  
  
• Leads the Grants Team
  
  
  
  • Supervises and mentors a team of up to 3 grants staff and contractors.
  • Oversees proposal submission, reporting, and grants management processes.
  • Serves as lead writer on high-value, innovative, and/or complex proposals.
  
  
  
  
• Engages Stakeholders
  
  
  
  • Partners with internal departments (Leadership Team, Program Staff, Finance, Resource Development) to efficiently advance impactful submissions.
  • Educates and inspires staff and board members to be effective grants ambassadors.
  • Deepens relationships with the Jewish United Fund (JUF) and other key partners.
  • Identifies new opportunities for collaboration and funding.
  
  
  
  
• Advances Strategic Initiatives
  
  
  
  • Provides leadership on program and proposal development to align community needs, organizational priorities, and funding opportunities.
  • Partners with IT to develop and implement a grants management system within Salesforce CRM to track applications, awards, reporting deadlines, and key performance metrics.
  • Uses data analytics to evaluate grant department effectiveness and produce impact reports and presentations for funders.
  • Leads or contributes to special development initiatives as needed.
  
  
  
  
• Other tasks as assigned.

Requirements

• A minimum of 10+ years of experience in grants, strategy, community-building, and program development is required.
• Knowledge of and experience with the Chicago Jewish community is required.
• Master's degree in social services or a related field (preferred).
• Experience supervising and mentoring development staff is preferred.
• History of successful grant applications is preferred. (A portfolio is a plus.)
• Knowledge of aging services and gerontology issues is preferred.
• Excellent writing skills with ability to craft compelling proposals and reports.
• Strong strategic thinking capabilities with proven success in securing major grants.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and fundraising databases (Raiser's Edge and/or Salesforce).
• Experience implementing and utilizing CRM solutions for grants management, including data structure, workflow automation, and reporting.
• Ability to build authentic connections with diverse audiences including funders, lay leaders, community partners, and staff at all levels.
• Exceptional organizational skills with ability to manage competing demands, deadlines, and shifting priorities.
• Data-driven approach to tracking grant performance metrics and demonstrating program impact.

Full-Time Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Employee Life Insurance
• Spousal & Dependent Life Insurance
• Long Term & Short Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Tuition Reimbursement for Nurses, Nurse Assistants, and CNAs
• Employee Purchase Discounts
• Employee Discounts on General Merchandise and Enjoyment
• Employee Assistance Program
• Health Club Discounts
• Lunch and Learn Programs

CJE SeniorLife is an equal opportunity employer.
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