Grants Manager Jobs in Springfield, IL (NOW HIRING)

The Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) is seeking to hire a Grant Funding Manager. We invite you to apply today to join a team committed to making Illinois the best place in the nation to raise a family! IDEC offers a robust benefit package including a Monday-Friday schedule, health, life, vision, and dental insurance, paid parental leave, pension plan, deferred compensation, and other pre-tax benefit programs. Employees earn 12 paid sick days annually, 10-25 paid vacation days based on years of service, and 3 paid personal days pro-rated based on start date. Employees also earn 13-14 paid state holidays annually. Work hours and schedule will be mutually agreed upon by supervisor during the onboarding process.

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you're helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you're part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home. No matter what state career you're looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Essential Functions

• Serves as the Grant Funding Manager for the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC).
• Assists in the establishment and analysis of financial internal controls and risk mitigation policies and procedures relevant to the Grant Funding Unit.
• Supports the Funding Director by coordinating with other Funding Units to determine grant funding availability.
• Serves as a full-line supervisor.
• Provides assistance to other Fiscal sections as needed.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires the knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to the completion of a bachelor's degree in fiscal management, accounting, internal audit, or finance in a public or business organization.
• Requires prior experience equivalent to three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in financial management, accounting, internal audit, or finance in a public or business organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers two (2) years of lead worker or supervisory experience working with grants and the grant funding process for a federal, state, or local government entity.
• Prefers three (3) years of experience overseeing grant functions and resolving programmatic issues in a Fiscal setting.
• Prefers three (3) years of experience designing, implementing, and refining internal controls and procedural frameworks to ensure compliance and efficiency in the grant funding process.
• Prefers two (2) years of experience utilizing financial systems such as Statewide Accounting Management System (SAMS), Datamart and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Systems Applications and Products (SAP), or other similar systems.
• Prefers two (2) years of experience accurately documenting funding reporting for auditing purposes.
• Prefers strong oral and written communication skills for consistent report transparency.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires the ability to successfully pass a criminal history check through the Illinois State Police.
• Requires the ability to successfully pass a Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS) background check.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This may require the ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine. This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest.

About the Agency

The Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) is the state's first standalone agency dedicated exclusively to advancing equitable access to high-quality early childhood programs and services for young children, their families, and the professionals who support them. Established in 2024 and operational as of July 1, 2026, IDEC brings together early childhood programs and services previously administered by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) into one unified agency. IDEC works to make Illinois' early childhood system simpler, fairer, and more accessible by improving access to services, strengthening program quality, supporting the early childhood workforce, and streamlining the experience for families, providers, and communities. Through collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence, IDEC is building a stronger early childhood system that helps every child thrive and every family succeed.