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Grant Development and Partnerships Manager

Date Posted: Dec 17, 2025

Requisition ID: 469771

Location:

Indianapolis, IN, US, 46204

Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About the Commission for Higher Education:

Created in 1971, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE, Commission) is the State's higher education coordinating agency, driven to improve economic and social mobility for fellow Hoosiers through postsecondary education and training, and is a part of Governor Mike Braun's Office of Education. The Commission also administers Indiana’s state financial aid programs, including 21st Century Scholars, which celebrates 35 years in 2025. More information can be found at che.in.gov

Role Overview:

The Office of the Indiana Secretary of Education is seeking a strategic and mission-driven Grant Development and Partnerships Manager to support the development, coordination, and stewardship of philanthropic and federal grant initiatives that advance Indiana’s statewide education priorities.

Reporting directly to the Chief Strategy Officer, this advisor will play a key role in cultivating and sustaining relationships with philanthropic partners, managing proposal development and grant reporting processes, and ensuring alignment between external investments and Indiana’s long-term education and workforce goals.

This position may have periodic in-state travel for meetings, convenings, and site visits.

Salary Statement:

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $90,000.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Alignment and Proposal Project Management

+ Lead the creation of high-quality, competitive proposals for philanthropic and federal funding opportunities aligned to the Department’s strategic priorities (e.g., literacy, STEM, high school redesign, and workforce pathways).

+ Manage and coordinate proposal timelines, writing schedules, and key deliverables, ensuring adherence to strict deadlines and managing inputs from across internal teams and external partners.

+ Write compelling narratives and supporting documentation (e.g., abstracts, project descriptions, letters of interest) to ensure a cohesive and persuasive final product.

Budgeting and Compliance

+ Work closely with finance and project leads to ensure budgets are accurate, compliant, and clearly justified to support the proposed scope of work.

+ Ensure all proposals reflect measurable student outcomes and align with state and federal funding requirements.

+ Ensure all submissions align with state and federal funding requirements and specific grantor guidelines (e.g., technical format).

Stewardship and Reporting

+ Oversee and manage post-award activities, including narrative and financial reporting, data collection, and compliance for philanthropic grants. Work closely with the finance team to ensure federal grant compliance.

+ Maintain proactive communication with funders to provide updates, demonstrate impact, and cultivate ongoing trust and partnership.

+ Collaborate with program and data teams to synthesize outcomes, success stories, and metrics for statewide and partner communications.

Prospecting and Partnership Development

+ Research and identify new philanthropic and federal funding opportunities that advance the state’s education priorities.

+ Support the cultivation and stewardship of key foundation, corporate, and government relationships.

+ Maintain comprehensive tracking of proposals, awards, deliverables, and partnership engagement to ensure transparency and accountability.

Evaluation and Strategic Oversight

+ Partner with internal evaluation and data teams to define performance indicators and assess impact across initiatives.

+ Prepare internal dashboards and summary reports highlighting progress, expenditures, and return on investment.

+ Recommend continuous improvement strategies and best practices to strengthen future grant and partnership initiatives.

Qualifications:

+ Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in education, public policy, nonprofit management, or a related field preferred.

+ Minimum of 15 years of experience in grant development, management, or philanthropy—preferably in education, government, or nonprofit sectors.

+ Proven record of success in securing and managing complex, multi-year philanthropic or federal grants.

+ Strong understanding of education systems and policy issues, particularly in literacy, STEM, innovation, and workforce alignment.

+ Exceptional writing, editing, and project management skills with a high level of attention to detail.

+ Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

+ Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and project management tools; experience with Salesforce or similar CRM systems preferred.

Core Competencies

+ Strategic Alignment: Connects funding opportunities to statewide education priorities.

+ Relationship Management: Builds and sustains strong partnerships with funders and collaborators.

+ Analytical Thinking: Interprets data and outcomes to inform reporting and strategy.

+ Communication Excellence: Crafts compelling, evidence-based narratives.

+ Integrity and Accountability: Ensures transparency, compliance, and follow-through across all activities.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

+ Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans

+ Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards

+ Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution

+ Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match

+ Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options

+ A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:

+ 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers

+ Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave

+ Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off

+ 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years

+ Education Reimbursement Program

+ Group life insurance

+ Referral Bonus program

+ Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits

+ Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

+ Free Parking for most positions

+ Free LinkedIn Learning access

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [email protected].

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