Grant Funding Manager

Position Summary:

Want to take your skills and experiences navigating grant funding opportunities and put those to work to help unlock educational opportunities for the future workforce?  Penn Foster Group (PFG) is one of the largest providers of education and training in support of in-demand careers in Healthcare, Skilled Trades, Veterinary Health, and Business Services.  Our new Grant Funding Manager will play a pivotal role in expanding PFG’s access to grant funding opportunities for education and workforce development initiatives.  Initially reporting to the Vice President of Enterprise Solutions, the successful candidate will be responsible for identifying, pursuing, and securing grants at the local, state, and federal levels.  This role requires a combination of strategic thinking, relationship building, and project management and grant writing skills to effectively navigate the grant application process and maximize funding opportunities.  With your help, we will reach hundreds or thousands of additional learners and provide them with pathways into better jobs.

Essential Job Functions:

• Research, identify and prioritize grant opportunities (government and philanthropic funded) relevant to Penn Foster Group’s education, workforce development, and career training programs.
• Provide strategic guidance to Enterprise Solutions leadership on where (e.g., which states/ regions/ jurisdictions) and how (e.g., directly/ through partners) PFG should target its grant pursuits.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders – in particular our Sales and Client Success/ Account Management professionals – to assess grant eligibility and relevance, develop funding strategies, and align grant proposals with organizational objectives.
• Develop and maintain relationships with government agencies, grant-making bodies, educational institutions, and potential partner organizations.
• Write – and/or assist our partner organizations in writing – compelling grant proposals, applications, and reports that effectively communicate our organization's mission, goals, and program impact.
• Coordinate grant-related activities, including grant compliance, reporting, and documentation requirements.
• Provide guidance and support to internal teams and external partners on grant-related matters, including grant management best practices and compliance standards.
• Stay informed about changes in government funding priorities, policies, and regulations affecting education and workforce development initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• 8-10+ years of experience in grant writing, grant management, or related fields, with a proven track record of securing government funding for education or workforce development programs.
• Strong understanding of government grant systems, including grant application processes, compliance requirements, and reporting procedures.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal policies and initiatives related to education, workforce development, and career training.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to write clear, concise, and persuasive grant proposals and reports.
• Ability to be directly client-facing and support our Sales and Client Success/Account Management team in enabling our prospects and partners to secure grant funding, showcasing PFG’s competency in this area.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple grant applications simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and grant management software (e.g., Grants.gov, eCivis, Foundation Directory Online).
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a related field (Education, Public Policy, Business Administration, etc.); advanced degree preferred.

About Us: At Penn Foster Group, we are transforming online learning to help learners by bringing together Penn Foster, CareerStep, Ashworth College, James Madison High School, the New York Institute of Photography, the New York Institute of Art and Design, and other education platforms. Together, we create an accelerated path to greater economic mobility through real-world skills and knowledge that enable learners to achieve long-term success in the workplaces of the future.  Our history dates back to 1890 when our founder, Thomas Foster, pioneered distance education by offering training by mail for coal miners to get the necessary skills for safer jobs. Today, with the partners who use our education and training programs, we continue that mission of providing accessible training and education for in-demand skills and are building a workforce that’s prepared for the future job market.

Equal Employment Opportunity: We strive toward Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Penn Foster Group by intentionally building teams that are diverse – in identities, lived experiences, and ideas to create a culture where people feel connected to each other and have a sense of belonging. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion because it is the foundation that enables us to achieve what we set out to do as an organization – from maximizing the number of learners who can reach their goals while giving them the kinds of experiences we want them to have, to becoming the type of company we want to work in.  

What We Offer: We offer a robust benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, flexible spending, generous paid time off, sponsored volunteer opportunities, a 401K with a company match, plus free access to all of our online programs.