Job Details

Grants & Contracts Manager

Location: 3890 Murphy Canyon Road suite 250, San Diego, CA

Schedule: Full-time, hybrid Monday-Friday with minimum 3 days onsite

Classification: Salaried, Exempt

Compensation: $75,000 to $87,000 (commensurate with experience and education)

About Lifeline Community Services

Lifeline Community Services is a premier nonprofit organization in San Diego County, dedicated to empowering individuals and families to achieve self-reliance and long-term stability. Our diverse service portfolio spans housing, behavioral health, youth development, and anti-human trafficking initiatives, operating across multiple locations.

Overview

Behind every transformative program at Lifeline is a backbone of rigorously managed contracts, timely grant submissions, and strategic data insights. The Grants & Contracts Manager is not only a steward of public trust but also a key architect of the infrastructure that allows Lifeline to deliver critical services with integrity and measurable impact.

This position is both strategic and operational—leading the drafting, coordination, and internal execution of contracts, subcontracts, MOUs, and grant agreements, while ensuring that Lifeline's systems and staff are equipped to meet funder expectations. Reporting to the Chief Impact Officer, the Manager interfaces regularly with Programs, Finance, Human Resources, Compliance, and the Impact Team to ensure cross-functional readiness and rigorous documentation.

This role is ideal for a contracts and grants professional who thrives in high-accountability environments, enjoys systems thinking, and is passionate about enabling mission-driven work through strong operational infrastructure and measurable performance outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Contract Lifecycle Management

• Serve as the organization-wide lead for tracking, drafting, executing, and archiving all contracts, MOUs, Business Associate Agreements, and consultant agreements.
• Partner with department leads to interpret funder requirements and translate them into executable terms that align with Lifeline's policies and operational capacity.
• Develop, maintain, and oversee the organization's contract tracking systems, including start/end dates, renewal timelines, required reports, and internal compliance documentation, and coordinate progress reports for program staff.
• Lead cross-departmental planning to ensure all contract deliverables—inclusive of startup packets, licensing, insurance, and subrecipient data—are submitted accurately and on time.

Grant Writing & Resource Development

• Lead Grant Proposal Development: Research, draft, and submit compelling grant proposals to federal, state, county, city, and private funders in support of Lifeline's programs, collaborating closely with Program Directors, the Impact Team, and Finance to ensure proposals reflect agency capacity, compliance, and alignment with funder priorities.
• Coordinate Cross-Functional Grant Inputs: Aggregate required programmatic narratives, performance data, budgets, and attachments for grant submissions, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and adherence to funder specifications.
• Maintain Grant Templates & Assets: Develop and maintain a centralized library of boilerplate language, work plans, funder profiles, and common attachments (e.g., IRS letters, board rosters, audits) to streamline future submissions and renewals.
• Ensure Compliance in Narrative Commitments: In coordination with program teams, align proposed outcomes, deliverables, and timelines with organizational capabilities and existing contract obligations, flagging discrepancies and risk areas prior to submission.
• Support Proposal Review & Approval: Coordinate internal review and signature routing processes in collaboration with the Chief Impact Officer and executive leadership.

Funder Relations & Compliance Coordination

• Act as primary liaison with funders for document requests, clarification needs, and grant-related submissions outside of direct program performance.
• Maintain a central repository of executed agreements, budgets, reports, and funder correspondence in line with audit-ready documentation standards.
• Collaborate with the Compliance team on audits, risk assessments, and policies related to HIPAA, FERPA, and other relevant regulatory frameworks.

Internal Controls, Training & Documentation

• Collaborate with HR and Finance to ensure proper onboarding of new subcontractors and consultants, including W-9s, insurance verification, licensure, and business credentials.
• Lead periodic (semi-annual) audits of contract files to verify the presence of all required documentation and follow up with responsible parties to close any gaps.
• Create and maintain internal standard operating procedures for contract management workflows, including approval routing, e-filing, and signature protocols.

Organizational Leadership & Team Development

• Model a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration across the Impact Team and wider agency.
• Participate in Lifeline's Management Team, contributing to organization-wide strategy, operational improvements, and leadership initiatives.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, public administration, law, or a related field—or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience preferred.
• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in nonprofit contract management, grants administration, or related regulatory environments required.
• Prior experience with government contracts and private grant writing strongly preferred.

Technical & Regulatory Competence

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and cloud-based file management tools; experience with contract management systems a plus.
• Familiarity with public sector contracts, federal and county grant processes, HIPAA/FERPA requirements, and audit standards.
• Ability to draft legally sound contracts, maintain meticulous records, and interpret grant terms and conditions accurately.

Communication & Project Management

• Exceptional attention to detail, with strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication abilities, including presenting and tailoring information to diverse internal and external audiences.
• Demonstrated success in managing competing deadlines and coordinating across departments in fast-paced environments.
• Skilled in facilitating cross-functional meetings, capturing key decisions, and driving timely follow-through.
• Adept at translating complex requirements into actionable plans to ensure alignment, accountability, and execution across contract and grant initiatives.

Values Alignment

• Commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical stewardship of public and private funds.
• Passion for supporting mission-driven work through reliable operational systems and strategic foresight.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Hybrid schedule: Minimum of 3 days on-site and 2 days remote weekly, with flexibility based on organizational needs. Occasional travel between office or event locations long with evenings/weekends as needed.
• Ability to sit or stand for prolonged periods, lift up to 25 pounds, and travel within San Diego County using a personal vehicle (mileage reimbursed).

Why Join Lifeline?

Comprehensive Benefits

• Competitive compensation with a robust benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Paid family and reproductive loss bereavement leave for qualifying events.
• Generous paid time off and hybrid work flexibility to support work-life balance.

Professional Growth Opportunities

• Access to training, leadership development, and opportunities for career advancement in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.

Special Conditions

• Employment is contingent on successful completion of a background check, DMV record check, TB test, and drug screening.
• Flexibility to occasionally work evenings or weekends to support events or organizational priorities.

Accommodations and Accessibility Statement

Lifeline Community Services is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, including those with disabilities. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), and other applicable laws, Lifeline will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities, unless doing so would result in an undue hardship for the organization.

If you require an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact ...@nclifeline.org as soon as possible. Accommodations may include, but are not limited to, assistance with completing the application process, providing documents in an accessible format, or arranging for an accessible interview location.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

North County Lifeline DBA Lifeline Community Services ("Lifeline") is steadfast in its commitment to ensuring an inclusive workplace where diversity is celebrated and discrimination is not tolerated. We adhere to all federal, state, and local laws concerning employment discrimination and provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. In California, we extend these protections to include ancestry, medical condition, genetic characteristics, mental or physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), familial status, citizenship, primary language, immigration status, and age (40 and above), among others-recognizing and valuing the diverse backgrounds and perspectives that all individuals bring to our team.

Pre-Employment Screening Notice

As part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our clients and maintaining the integrity of our workplace, North County Lifeline conducts comprehensive background and drug screening processes for all prospective employees. This includes:

· Driving record verification

· Employment history and reference checks

· TB screening

· 10-panel non-DOT drug screening

· DOJ/FBI/Child Abuse Index background checks

These screenings are conducted in accordance with all applicable laws and reflect our dedication to building a safe, mission-aligned work environment.

As part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our clients and maintaining the integrity of our workplace, North County Lifeline conducts comprehensive background and drug screening processes for all prospective employees. This includes, but is not limited to:

Driving Record Check: Verification through the DMV to ensure a good standing driving record.

Employment Verification: Confirmation of your employment history to verify your experiences and qualifications.

Reference Checks: Contacting provided references to gain insights into your work ethic, professionalism, and suitability for the role.

TB Screening: A TB test to ensure the health and safety of our clients and staff, in line with public health recommendations.

Drug Screening: A 10-panel non-DOT drug test to screen for the presence of common illicit substances, ensuring a drug-free workplace.

Criminal Background Checks: Comprehensive checks through the Department of Justice (DOJ), FBI, and Child Abuse Index to identify any history that may impact your suitability for employment, particularly in roles involving vulnerable populations.

These screenings are a vital part of our hiring process and must be successfully completed for employment eligibility. North County Lifeline is dedicated to fair and responsible hiring practices and ensures that all screenings are conducted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, respecting the privacy and rights of all candidates. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this process, aimed at creating a safe and productive work environment for everyone.