Posted: February 17, 2012

Apply online, do not email www.kippneworleans.org/join-our-team

About KIPP New Orleans
KIPP New Orleans Schools is a fast-growing network of open-enrollment, public, college-preparatory charter schools. The mission of KIPP New Orleans Schools is to create an influential network of public schools that gives students the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in competitive high schools, colleges and the world beyond. KIPP New Orleans Schools currently operates nine schools in the Recovery School District serving over 2,400 students from grades Kindergarten to tenth grade.
With longer school days, innovative teaching, and a motivating learning environment, we are working to ensure that all of our students are prepared for college and beyond. KIPP students are assigned homework every night, and KIPP teachers are available by cell phone to assist as necessary. KIPP schools in New Orleans embrace the spirit of New Orleans with band, visual arts, or other fine arts available at every school.

KIPP New Orleans Schools is associated with the national KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) Network, which recruits and trains school leaders to open KIPP schools across the country. The KIPP network is rapidly growing; there are currently 110 KIPP schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia, serving more than 32,000 students.
Position Overview

Against this ambitious backdrop, KIPP New Orleans is looking for a full-time Regional Grants Manager to play an instrumental role in managing the organization’s annual development plan. With steadfast plans to grow to 12 schools serving 5,000 students and an operating budget of more than $50 million annually, the Regional Grants Manager will serve as a driving force in the realization of this objective. Key responsibilities include preparing, securing and reporting on government funding, which comprise more than 80% of KNOS revenue as well as corporate and foundation grants.

Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree required
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience, preferably background in government finance (and education)
• Good strategic/critical thinker, self-starter, goal-oriented
• Excellent verbal and written communications – particularly in the context of translating the KNOS organization, mission, funding and growth plans.
• Ability to operate with purpose, urgency and accuracy in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial and deadline-driven environment – with particular attention to detail-orientation and organization
• Strong relationship-builder with keen understanding of what motivates particular audiences
• Customer-service approach to donor management
• Knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint

Responsibilities:
• Implement ambitious annual fundraising program from public sources.
o Prepare, revise and manage all aspects of public funding process (federal and state grants) for the existing four charters as well as additional schools associated with network growth.
? Types of funding include: Consolidated NCLB, IDEA funding, Title Vb, Technology, K-3 reading, LEAP remediation, among others.
o Support Finance, Operations and Development/Community Engagement personnel at the regional School Support Center, as well as School Leaders and Business & Operations Managers at five schools to ensure successful and timely applications, compliance, and reporting, including the development of grant budgets as part of overall budget process.
o Compliance includes ensuring budgets, spending, applications and reporting are accurate and in compliance with state and federal laws.
• Ensure that government funding processes, operations, tracking systems, reporting to schools, board, and SSC teams are tightly executed and highly effective.
o Manage the deadline-driven calendar of all development activities related to grant requests, including: researching grant guidelines, timely submission of grant materials and follow-up, as necessary;
o Manage fiscal compliance to ensure that expenditures charged to grants match application budgets, with necessary documentation.
o Prepare reimbursement requests as related to grant funds.
o Coordinate internal communications/reports, including monthly documentation for the KNOS Board of Directors and regular communication with the Finance Team regarding restrictions; and
o Maintain accurate and up-to-date records and data on government grants.
• Execute ambitious annual fundraising strategies/tactics around potential corporate and foundations.
o Identify, research and manage corporate and foundation relationships to cultivate, solicit and steward, including grant-writing and reporting.
o Work with Development/Community Engagement team to ensure targeted corporate and foundation leaders are engaged in cultivation events, tours, etc.
o Support executive director, board, board advisory council and school leaders to cultivate, solicit and steward all donors; and
o Ensure timely and appropriate follow-up with donors.
• Ensure that gift processing operations, tracking systems, reporting to board and finance team, and donor communications are tightly executed and highly effective.
o Manage the ambitious and deadline-driven calendar of all development activities related to grant requests, including: researching grant guidelines, submitting all grant materials on time, and follow-up as necessary;
o Internal coordination, including monthly reporting to the Board of Directors and regular communication with the Finance Team regarding restrictions; and
o Maintain accurate and up-to-date records and data on foundation and corporate grants.
• Collaborate with the executive director, development/community engagement team, and national/regional development staff to develop and execute plan strategies/tactics to secure and manage KNOS regional and multi-regional partnerships.