Grant Program Manager (Arts Organizations)

Job Title: Grant Program Manager (Arts Organizations)

Work Arrangement: Primarily Remote, with occasional travel within Kansas

Location: Kansas (statewide; agency based in Topeka, KS); Kansas residents gets preference. 

Employment Type: Contract

Engagement Type: Full time, approximately 40 hours per week; 

Final Interview: Online

Position Summary

Dhaka Technologies Limited Company is hiring a Grant Program Manager on behalf of the client, the Kansas Department of Commerce, in support of the Kansas Arts Commission, the official state arts agency for Kansas. The Grant Program Manager will manage and administer the agency’s grant programs for arts organizations, provide program support to arts organizations statewide, coordinate arts education initiatives, develop and deliver professional development opportunities for organizations, and serve as the agency’s accessibility coordinator. The position is remote and reports to the Division Director, with occasional in state travel for regional meetings, listening sessions, and agency events.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the complete grant lifecycle for assigned Kansas Arts Commission grant programs, including collaborating with agency staff to develop application guidelines, program materials, and evaluation criteria for organizational grants, determining eligibility, reviewing applications, and providing technical assistance to applicants.
  
• Recruit, train, and manage qualified grant review panelists; schedule, coordinate, and facilitate panel meetings; and document panel recommendations and decisions.
  
• Create and process grant contracts for approved applicants, provide technical assistance to grantee organizations, review and approve payment requests according to established procedures, monitor grantee compliance with contract terms, and review interim and final grantee reports.
  
• Close out grants by confirming all requirements are fulfilled, processing final payments, and documenting project outcomes and impact.
  
• Serve as point of contact for Poetry Out Loud program coordination and collaborate with agency staff, schools, arts organizations, and teaching artists to develop, implement, and evaluate arts education initiatives and professional development for educators.
  
• Develop and deliver workshops, seminars, training, and capacity building resources for arts organizations, facilitate networking opportunities, research best practices in arts organization management, and assist with management of existing agency programs as needed.
  
• Build and maintain relationships with arts organizations across Kansas, represent the agency at arts related events, conduct regional meetings and listening sessions, and identify and address barriers to arts participation.
  
• Serve as the agency accessibility coordinator: develop and implement accessibility policies and practices, guide grantees on accessibility requirements, monitor compliance, attend the Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability conference, and work with the Commerce Section 504 coordinator to ensure agency and sub-grantee compliance with ADA and NEA regulations.
  
• Collaborate with the Communications Coordinator on program promotion, maintain accurate documentation of grant processes and outcomes, and promote best practices in the field.
  
• Deliver quarterly reports on grant program status and outcomes and maintain regular communication with constituents, reporting to the Division Director.
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or significant experience in arts administration or grants administration.
  
• Understanding of the needs and challenges of individual artists and arts organizations.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  
• Availability for approximately 40 hours per week with responsive availability Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time, and the ability to check communications regularly and respond to emails and calls within a reasonable timeframe.
  
• Reliable internet connection, laptop or computer, and telephone suitable for remote work.
  
• Ability to travel occasionally within Kansas, with limited out of state travel approved in advance by the agency; travel is reimbursed at state rates.
  
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in arts administration, an artistic discipline, or a related field.
  
• Five or more years of experience in arts administration.
  
• Demonstrated knowledge of grant management processes.
  
• Familiarity with the Kansas not for profit arts community.
  
• Experience with panel review processes.
  
• Expertise in one or more of the following areas: arts and health or wellness, public art programs, filming in Kansas, creative districts, arts and the military or veterans, arts and tourism, rural communities, or Native American affairs.
  

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a current resume or CV, a cover letter describing relevant experience and qualifications, and three professional references and all available certifications to [email protected] with the subject line “Grant Program Manager (Arts Organizations), Kansas”. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and early submission is strongly encouraged.