Senior Project Manager, Grant Development

Job Title:
Senior Project Manager of Grant Development

The Organization:
Acelero, Inc.

Who We Are:
Acelero, Inc. is a for-profit, mission-driven company that aims to improve school readiness for low-income children, by both directly operating Head Start programs and offering programmatic support to other Head Start grantees.

Established in 2001, Acelero, Inc. is made up of two divisions - Acelero Learning and Shine Early Learning. Acelero Learning provides direct Head Start services to more than 5,000 children and families in four states (delegates) - New Jersey, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Acelero Learning's programs have been identified as a national exemplar, a model to the nation for early childhood education, and most significantly, has demonstrated best-in-class child outcomes gains, even during the pandemic.

Shine Early Learning (Shine), established in 2009, was created to scale the dissemination and utilization of Acelero Learning's proven tools and approaches through partnerships to other Head Start programs nationally. In the past three years, Shine has further diversified its offerings through training, technical assistance, and consultation to publicly funded early childhood systems, including the launch of SPARK Learning Labs.

Our diverse employee workforce is made up of more than 1500 employees, comprising dedicated teachers, passionate family advocates, dynamic Center Directors and Coordinators, visionary senior leaders, and strategic executive leaders. Shine boasts partnerships across a wide expanse of states and territories throughout the country, ranging from Head Start grantees to comprehensive statewide systems. Together, we form a vibrant community committed to making a difference, fostering growth, and nurturing the potential in every child we serve.

The Current Landscape:
At the forefront of educational innovation, Acelero Inc. is navigating a pivotal phase of strategic transformation, commenced in June 2021, with a clear vision to expand exponentially and dismantle inequities. Guided by the insights and leadership of a diverse and representative national Design Team, the company has meticulously crafted a new vision, mission, and core values, underpinned by a robust theory of change. This strategic evolution involves a deliberate restructuring of the organizational framework, positioning Acelero Inc. to achieve its objectives, and to surpass them significantly. Central to the company's ethos is an unwavering commitment to recognize and nurture every child's potential, ensuring no child is left behind due to systemic inequalities. Acelero Inc. is steadfast in its mission to empower families, fostering their ability to advocate effectively for their children and themselves. This period of transformative growth and commitment to equity presents a unique opportunity to contribute to Acelero Inc. 's journey towards shaping a more inclusive and empowering educational landscape.

The Purpose of the Role

As the Senior Project Manager at Shine Early Learning, you will play a critical role in securing funding opportunities that support the realization of our mission. Working under the guidance of the Director of Strategic Development, you will be responsible for managing the grant development process from start to finish for our partners and internal stakeholders. This includes conducting research, writing grant proposals, and overseeing project management activities. You will support strategy leads, facilitate sessions, draft compelling grant narrative content, revise and edit drafts, and compile, package, and submit partner-approved final applications. You will collaborate with internal stakeholders to refine and iterate the overall grant development process.

What You'll Work On

• Project Management:
  Manage Shine Early Learning partners through the grant application process, support the facilitation of strategy meetings with stakeholders, and communicate and track client progress on application completion and submission.
• Project Management Systems:
  Refine and embed sustainable project management Systems and Practices for internal and external stakeholders.
• Grant Research and Identification:
  Research, identify, and evaluate potential grant opportunities from various sources to support the organization's programs and initiatives.
• Grant Proposal Development:
  Prepare, write, and submit grant proposals and applications, ensuring alignment with the organization's mission and strategic priorities.
• Collaboration:
  Collaborate with cross-functional teams, and stakeholders to gather information needed for grant proposals and reporting.
• Continuous Improvement:
  Continuously review and improve grant development processes and strategies to optimize the organization's ability to secure grant funds effectively.

• A bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Business, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management.
• A minimum of 3-5 years of experience in grant writing and grant management, particularly in the nonprofit or education sector
• Willingness to work remotely and manage multiple projects simultaneously across multiple time zones.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with keen attention to detail.
• Ability to quickly interpret government procedures and regulations.
• Collaborative team player who is willing to go above and beyond their job description for the success of Acelero Learning and its partners.
• Physical exam and background checks are required for this position.