Senior Grants Writer and Project Manager

WHY JOIN JFS?

For more than 150 years, Jewish Family Services of Western New York has been committed to providing high quality services to all in need in the interest of helping to "repair the world." Our services are guided by the essential connection between mental well-being, physical wellness, and positive self-worth. Our reputation is the result of our exceptional staff. In addition to offering competitive compensation and truly exceptional benefits, we are committed to providing a supportive, inclusive work environment in which all employees are able to contribute their best.

 OUR VALUES

 Be a Mensch: We are ethical, kind, and admirable. We assume good intent and act with integrity. We are thoughtful and deliberative in how we support our clients, each other, and the community. “Choose generosity over judgment—every time” 

 Be Purpose-Built: We create spaces and programs that respect clients’ individuality and opens access. We strive to meet the individual where they’re at and give them the tools to be successful

 Be Resolute: We work with tenacity to identify problems, seek out solutions, and get things done. Even small steps forward are acts of resilience.

SUMMARY

The Senior Grants Writer & Project Manager is the agency’s lead writer for all state, federal, and foundation grant proposals. This position is responsible for producing high-quality, competitive grant applications that secure institutional funding to advance the agency’s mission.

 This role owns the full grant writing lifecycle — including funding research, opportunity analysis, narrative development, budget collaboration, cross-functional coordination, and final submission. The Senior Grants Writer Manager serves as the primary architect and author of complex government proposals and foundation applications, ensuring every submission is compelling, compliant, data-driven, and strategically aligned.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

A representative summary of tasks to be performed is provided below. The employee may be asked to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically stated in this description. The duties and responsibilities of the position are to be carried out in a manner that is consistent with the mission, values, and operating principles of Jewish Family Services.

 Lead Grant Writing – State and Federal

• Serve as primary writer and content strategist for all state, federal, and foundation grant applications.
• Write complete, persuasive proposals including needs statements, program design, staffing plans, evaluation frameworks, and sustainability strategies.
• Analyze RFPs and government solicitations to determine eligibility, competitiveness, and strategic fit.
• Ensure strict compliance with formatting, procurement, and regulatory requirements.
• Manage submission portals and execute final application uploads and certifications.

Foundation Grant Writing

• Research and identify local, regional, and national foundation prospects.
• Write and tailor letters of inquiry, concept papers, and full grant proposals.
• Draft outcome-oriented budgets and supporting documentation in partnership with finance.
• Prepare compelling interim and final reports to steward funder relationships.

Grant Project Management & Submission Oversight

• Develop detailed timelines and work plans for each grant submission.
• Coordinate cross-departmental input from program, finance, compliance, and executive leadership.
• Conduct final quality control review prior to submission.
• Track submission deadlines and manage multiple concurrent proposals.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 3–5 years of demonstrated success writing and submitting state, federal, and foundation grants.
• Proven track record of securing competitive institutional funding.
• Experience managing complex, deadline-driven proposal processes.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Exceptional professional writing and editing ability.
• Understanding of government grant structures and compliance requirements.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to synthesize complex data into persuasive narratives.
• High level of discretion and professionalism.

 COMPETENCIES

• Communication Intelligence - Listens to others, able to communicate issues clearly and credibly with widely varied audiences; fosters open communication and manages emotion in positive ways.
• Client Focus - Understands and meets customer needs, whether internal or external, providing a high level of service and cooperation, courteousness & sensitivity. 
• Independence – Able to prioritize and effectively manage work with good results with limited supervision.
• Planning & Organization – Develops, implements, evaluates, and adjusts plans to reach goals while ensuring the optimal use of resources.
• Detail orientation – Achieves thoroughness and accuracy when accomplishing a task through concern for all the areas involved or impacted.
• Problem Solving – Identifies problems and the solutions to them.  
• Initiative & Adaptability – Deals with situations and issues proactively and persistently, seizing opportunities along with a personal willingness and ability to respond to changes. 

 WORKING CONDITIONS

• Will work in an office setting.
• Deadline-driven role requiring occasional evening or weekend work during peak submission periods.
• Travel outside of the office to various sites to attend meetings or conduct other business of the agency.
• Must have access to a reliable vehicle, possess a valid, clean NYS driver’s license and be sufficiently self-insured with liability insurance in the amount of $100,000/$300,000.

 PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Light physical activities and efforts required working in an office environment.
• Visual acuity sufficient to maintain system of files and reports containing computer-generated and handwritten documents.   
• Auditory acuity sufficient to communicate with staff and others by phone and in person.
• Mobility sufficient to conduct regular duties within a normal office environment and community.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Competitive Salary of $65,000 - $68,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualification.
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Accrued Paid Time Off (PTO) of 4+ weeks
• 401k plan with agency contribution of 4%
• 13+ observed holidays annually
• Early close on Fridays