Purpose of this Role
The Early Learning Grants Manager plays a vital role in advancing equitable early learning outcomes by ensuring the effective administration of grants that fund and sustain our region’s early learning systems. This position oversees all aspects of grant and contract management for both Early Learning Washington County (ELWC) and Early Learning Multnomah (ELM)—two regional Early Learning Hubs for which United Way of the Columbia-Willamette (UWCW) serves as the backbone organization.
Serving as both a steward of public and private funds and a strategic partner to the early learning community, the Grants Manager ensures compliance with all federal, state, and private funder requirements while building strong, trust-based relationships with subcontractors and partners. This role bridges financial oversight and community impact—supporting transparent, equitable, and results-driven implementation that aligns resources with shared goals for children and families.
Working closely with the Senior Director of Education Initiatives, Hub Directors, UWCW’s Impact and Finance teams, and external partners, the Grants Manager helps ensure that investments in early learning are administered effectively, transparently, and in alignment with community priorities and equity commitments.
Early Learning Multnomah and Early Learning Washington County are two of Oregon’s 16 regional Early Learning Hubs that connect and coordinate services for young children and families. Funded by the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC), the Hubs are designed to align early learning and care services for children from birth to age six—especially those facing barriers due to race, income, language, or geography. By centering family voice and aligning priorities, funding, and services, the Hubs bring local leaders together to build shared vision and collective action for equitable outcomes.
This is a grant-funded position.
Key Accountabilities
Grant, Contract, and Fiscal Oversight – 50%
- Ensure all early learning grants and sub-contracts across both hubs are in compliance with all federal, state, and private funder requirements, timelines, and documentation standards.
- Collaborate with Senior Director of Education Initiatives, Hub Directors and Finance staff to track, monitor and reconcile budgets
- Review subcontractor contracts, budgets, invoices, and supporting documentation for accuracy, allowability, and compliance with organizational and funder guidelines.
- Process invoices and internal expenditures for both hubs, ensuring timely and accurate financial documentation.
- Develop and maintain systems for tracking deadlines and reporting requirements across multiple grants.
- Promote fiscal transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement across both Hubs, identifying opportunities to strengthen systems and capacity.
Data, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement – 25%
- Partner with early learning teams to align data collection and evaluation with grant deliverables and early learning goals
- Help translate data into accessible, meaningful reports that tell a story of progress and impact—highlighting outcomes, trends, and opportunities for growth.
- Help prepare quarterly and annual reports for funders, governance councils, and UWCW leadership, helping to communicate complex information
- Identify and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency, transparency, and equity
- Contribute to a culture of learning by helping teams connect financial and program data to broader outcomes and community impact.
Program and Partner Support & Collaboration – 15%
- Build and sustain strong, trust-based relationships with subcontractors, early learning providers, and community partners.
- Serve as a responsive point of contact for grant-related inquiries and guidance to help sub-contractors or grantees comply with grant requirements, when appropriate
- Participate in partner meetings, Hub gatherings, and community events to be connected with programmatic activities and help ensure alignment with funding priorities
- Contribute to a collaborative process to help increase learning and support throughout both early learning hubs
Cross-Team Collaboration & Culture – 10%
- Collaborate closely with UWCW’s Impact and Finance teams to ensure coordination, consistency, and timely completion of grant-related work.
- Partner with colleagues across departments to align systems and strategies that support equity-centered grantmaking, community accountability, and shared learning.
- Support organizational storytelling by connecting grant activities to mission-level outcomes and community change.
- Contribute to a positive, inclusive, and learning-oriented team culture that values curiosity, collaboration, and integrity.
- Model UWCW’s core values of equity, integrity, collaboration, and accountability in all interactions.
Required Competencies and Skills
Equity & Cultural Competency
- Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and cultural humility, with experience engaging diverse communities.
- Ability to work respectfully and effectively with partners from culturally specific and community-based organizations.
Fiscal & Administrative Oversight
- Strong understanding of grant and contract management, including budget development, fiscal tracking, and compliance.
- Experience ensuring the accuracy and allowability of expenses in line with federal, state, and private funding requirements.
Collaboration & Relationship Building
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build trust and partnership with internal teams and external stakeholders.
- Skilled at navigating complex systems and promoting shared accountability among partners.
Data-Informed Decision Making
- Experience using data to inform processes, strengthen reporting, and support continuous improvement.
- Attention to detail and ability to synthesize information clearly and accurately.
Communication & Organization
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing requirements.
Additional Competencies and Required Skills
- Self-Management
- Attention to Detail
- Collaboration
- Continuous Learning
- Social Responsibility
Supervision and Working Relationships
Supervisory Direction Received:
- Position works under the general direction of the Sr. Director of Education Initiatives
- Requires planning and arranging of own work in relation to overall set objectives
- Work subject to review and evaluation by the Sr. Director of Education Initiatives
Working Relationships:
- United Way staff and volunteers; funded community partners; local, regional and state government staff and leaders
Supervises:
- This role does not supervise staff
Resources & Support: United Way provides administrative support, professional development opportunities, and access to internal systems and tools necessary for program management and fiscal oversight.
Education, Skills, Experience, and Training Required for this Position
We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every qualification listed. We value diverse skills and experiences that contribute to our mission.
- Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business, Education, Nonprofit Management, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in grants management, program administration, or a related field.
- Proven experience managing contracts, budgets, and reporting requirements in a complex organizational or government-funded setting.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and experience with grants management systems (e.g., Salesforce, Apricot, or similar).
- Commitment to advancing equity and inclusion in early learning.
Physical Requirements
- United Way of the Columbia-Willamette operates in a hybrid environment. You will be expected to be onsite at the UWCW office at least two days a week and working from your remote office the remainder of the week
- This is a community facing role. You will be expected to engage with community members offsite at in person meetings. Must be able to work a flexible schedule which occasionally may include some early mornings, evenings, and weekends.
- Work is primarily performed indoors, within an open office setting with a moderate noise level and occasional exposure to scents.
- Frequently required to sit/stand at a computer in a stationary position.
- Frequently operates a computer and other office productivity equipment, such as copy machine, printer, phone, and fax machine.
- Frequently required to move about inside the office for meetings, access to information, office equipment, etc.
- Frequently required to travel locally for meetings that occur in other office settings.
- Frequently required to travel regionally and occasionally nationally for meetings, training, and conferences in other office settings throughout the year