Director of Strategic Grant Finance

Partners for Rural Impact’s (PRI) ultimate goal is for an America where all kids are successful, regardless of zip code, income, background, or ability. At PRI, our focus is on ensuring that all children in rural places achieve success. Partners for Rural Impact was born out of our place-based partnership in Appalachia, where we’ve worked for 25 years to create student opportunity and success.

The Director of Strategic Grant Finance facilitates grant services systems, infrastructure, and cross-functional processes that support effective grant acquisition, compliance, and organizational performance. This role drives continuous improvement and process optimization across grant and financial operations, supports pre-award activities in collaboration with Funding Infrastructure, conducts strategic financial analysis, and performs year-end audit activities related to Grant Services. The role supports seamless coordination with the Director of Post-Award, leads special projects related to grant services and financial operations, and drives continuous improvement efforts that enhance efficiency, accountability, and alignment with organizational priorities.

During peak submission periods, the team operates in an all-hands model to ensure the successful development and submission of proposals. This role may provide support across both pre- and post-award functions as needed to meet organizational deadlines. The Director of Strategic Grant Finance operates with the Partners for Rural Impact goal in mind that All Rural Students Succeed.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily. The requirements of the position are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required, with regular and predictable attendance essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Support pre-award grant activities, including proposal coordination, and submission support, while ensuring effective award transition and partnership with the Director of Post-Award for ongoing grant administration and compliance
• Manage grant-related systems and infrastructure, including technical Salesforce assistance, document libraries, and external grant portals, to implement funding opportunities
• Maintain organizational registrations and submission systems to ensure eligibility for public and private funding opportunities
• Support the technical development and submission of federal and private grant proposals in collaboration with Funding Infrastructure, CEO, program and finance teams
• Develop compliant proposal budgets, conduct strategic financial analysis across the grant portfolio, and support post-award financial management, including indirect cost calculations and subrecipient monitoring
• Serve as a primary liaison with Finance and the Controller on audits, providing direct support for year-end close activities, Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) preparation, and the Single Audit, ensuring adherence to financial and regulatory requirements
• Provide grant-related guidance and technical assistance to program, accounting, purchasing, and operations teams, including documentation, reporting, and compliance support
• Design and deliver trainings to ensure staff understand and apply PRI processes and procedures consistently
• Provide direct supervision and performance oversight of staff setting clear expectations and holding teams accountable for results
• Lead continuous improvement and process optimization efforts across grant and finance operations, developing and refining tools, workflows, internal controls, and documentation to strengthen efficiency, accountability, and compliance
• Identify and mitigate operational, financial, and compliance risks across assigned grants and projects
• Lead and support cross-functional projects and initiatives related to grant services, financial operations, and process improvement, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and measurable outcomes
• Contribute to departmental leadership and planning, including…