Contract Development Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Mission Statement

Through the use of social and restorative justice principles, Five Keys provides traditionally underserved communities the opportunity to improve their lives through a focus on the Five Keys: EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, RECOVERY, FAMILY, and COMMUNITY.

BENEFITS

We offer very low monthly costs for medical, dental, and vision insurance, along with generous time off! Various pre-tax flexible spending accounts and retirement accounts, including 403(b), are available. We provide annual reimbursements up to $100 towards gym membership, smoking cessation, and weight loss programs. Annual athletic event participation and annual massages are reimbursed up to $50. Other Company-paid benefits, including free wellness-related apps, an Employee Assistance Program, and a comprehensive mental health care platform, are available to you and your dependents.

JOB SUMMARY

           The Sr. Director of Grants and Contracts Development reports to the President of Five Keys and serves as the strategic and operational leader of Five Keys' Grants and Contracts Development Department. This position oversees all department staff and is responsible for building and managing the agency's grant and contract development infrastructure to maximize funding opportunities and support sustainable organizational growth.

            The Director leads the identification, evaluation, and pursuit of new public and private funding opportunities by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), funding databases, and other research platforms to proactively identify grants, contracts, and procurement opportunities aligned with Five Keys' mission and strategic priorities. The Director oversees the scouting, pre-qualification process, development, writing, review, and timely submission of high-quality grant proposals, contract applications, and procurement packets in collaboration with program leadership across all departments.

           This position serves as the central coordinator for the agency's grants and contracts portfolio, ensuring the accurate tracking of funding opportunities, awarded contracts, contract revenues, reporting deadlines, compliance requirements, and renewal timelines. The Director is responsible for maintaining a comprehensive grants and contracts management database that provides leadership with real-time visibility into the agency's funding pipeline, active awards, contract performance, and revenue projections.

           Working closely with Finance, Human Resources, Program Leadership, and Executive Leadership, the Director develops systems that support contract implementation, reporting, compliance, and performance measurement. The Director also provides strategic oversight and technical support for grant and contract reporting, ensuring all programmatic and financial reports are completed accurately, submitted on time, and meet funder requirements.

Success in this role requires exceptional leadership, project management, strategic thinking, and organizational skills, along with a strong understanding of government procurement, grants management, contract administration, nonprofit funding, and emerging AI technologies that improve funding research and proposal development. The ideal candidate is an innovative, systems-oriented leader who combines analytical precision with collaborative leadership, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is committed to building efficient, technology-enabled processes that strengthen Five Keys' long-term funding sustainability and organizational impact.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Grant Development & Proposal Management 

• Lead the scouting, pre-qualification submission, development, writing, editing, and submission of competitive grant proposals, applications, letters of inquiry, concept papers, and supporting materials
• Manage the full grant development lifecycle from opportunity identification through proposal submission
• Research, identify, and evaluate funding opportunities from federal, state, local, foundation, corporate, and institutional funding sources
• Review funding solicitations, Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs), and grant guidelines to assess organizational fit and competitiveness
• Develop proposal timelines, assign responsibilities, and ensure all submissions are completed accurately and on schedule
• Collaborate with various divisions, Finance, HR/Compliance, and Executive Leadership teams to develop project narratives, work plans, budgets, and supporting documentation
• Coordinate complex, multi-departmental proposal efforts involving multiple stakeholders and funding partners
• Harness the power of AI as a tool for writing and sourcing opportunities

Pipeline Management & Strategy 

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive grants pipeline that aligns with organizational priorities and funding needs
• Monitor funding trends, legislative developments, and emerging opportunities relevant to education, workforce development, housing, behavioral health, reentry, and other Five Keys program areas
• Provide recommendations to leadership regarding funding priorities, proposal investments, and strategic opportunities
• Track grant submissions, awards, pending opportunities, and funding outcomes to support organizational planning and decision-making
• Develop systems, templates, and processes that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of grant development efforts

Leadership & Staff Supervision

• Supervise, coach, mentor, and evaluate grants team staff, consultants, and contractors as assigned
• Establish performance expectations, priorities, and professional development opportunities for grant development team members
• Foster a collaborative, solutions-oriented work environment focused on quality, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to program staff regarding proposal development, funding opportunities, and funder requirements.

Relationship Management & Organizational Support  

• Build and maintain productive relationships with funders, government agencies, community partners, and key stakeholders
• Represent Five Keys at meetings, conferences, funder briefings, and partnership discussions related to grant opportunities
• Prepare grant development reports, funding analyses, and presentations for Executive Leadership
• Support organizational revenue diversification efforts by identifying new and emerging funding sources
• Assist with special projects and strategic initiatives as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Advanced grant writing, proposal development, and persuasive communication skills
• Strong knowledge of public funding, government grants, foundation funding, and competitive procurement processes
• Exceptional project management and communication skills, with a track record of managing competing deadlines across multiple teams, while maintaining stakeholder confidence and morale
• Demonstrated success securing complex federal, state, local, and foundation grants
• Knowledge of grant budgeting, financial planning, and funding compliance requirements
• Ability to analyze funding opportunities and align them with organizational priorities
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development abilities
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across departments and with external partners
• Advanced proficiency in Zoom, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace,  databases and grant writing and management systems
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Proven leadership and team development skills fostering growth, accountability, and collaboration
• Deep commitment to Five Keys’ mission and social justice values, serving high-need and justice-involved 
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, demonstrating initiative, adaptability, and sound judgment in fast-paced environments
• High ethical standards, while working with confidential information and complex topics that require considerable discretion, judgment, tact, and diplomacy

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, English, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Social Sciences, or a related field preferred.
• Prior experience writing grants required
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in grant writing, grant development, proposal management, fundraising, or related work
• Demonstrated success securing large public grants and managing complex proposal development efforts
• Experience supervising staff, consultants, or cross-functional project teams
• Experience working with government funding agencies and large-scale grant programs preferred
• Experience in nonprofit, education, workforce development, housing, behavioral health, criminal justice, or human services organizations preferred

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS  

• Frequent and prolonged standing, walking, and sitting
• Frequent speaking and active listening
• Occasional reaching with hands and arms
• Occasionally lifting up to 25 lbs
• Ability to follow oral directions in emergencies
• Travel to multiple sites may be required

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

This position is contingent upon: 

• Satisfactory results of a Live Scan (criminal background investigation)

WORK ENVIRONMENT  

• Must be a California resident located in Northern or Southern California, where Five Keys operates
• The position will be remote, but must be willing and able to travel state-wide to various locations or
  meetings as needed

GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

At Five Keys, we understand that when our employees grow, the agency has a greater capacity to thrive and accomplish its mission. It is for this reason that we remain committed to providing ongoing professional development opportunities for all of our employees. These include but are not limited to: conferences, staff development training, and coaching plans that allow incumbents to grow into new positions within and across programs within the agency (i.e., programs, schools, housing).