Director of Grants and Research

The Director of Grants & Research will lead NLEN's strategy to secure and sustain diverse funding streams — from competitive public awards to transformative private investments — while deepening authentic, long‑term partnerships with funders.

This role blends strategic vision with hands‑on execution: translating complex program models into compelling proposals, anticipating shifts in philanthropy and workforce development, and collaborating across teams to turn opportunities into measurable results. The person in this seat will be equally adept at engaging in thoughtful conversations with funders and working side‑by‑side with colleagues to shape budgets, track outcomes, and ensure compliance.

• Lead and grow NLEN's grants portfolio by identifying, cultivating, and stewarding relationships with institutional funders, corporations, and government agencies.
• Develop persuasive, data‑driven proposals and reports that reflect NLEN's mission, impact, and strategic priorities.
• Build and manage detailed proposal workplans — ensuring timelines, deliverables, and responsibilities are clear and met.
• Convene and facilitate cross‑departmental meetings to align program, finance, and leadership teams on proposal content, budgets, and reporting requirements.
• Prepare and deliver high‑quality donor reports that demonstrate impact, accountability, and alignment with funder priorities.
• Monitor agency funding gaps and work with leadership to prioritize program funding needs.
• Maintain an annual grant cycle calendar to track state, federal, and foundation opportunities, ensuring timely, complete, and competitive submissions.
• Maintain comprehensive, up‑to‑date records on all funders, including contacts, funding history, requests, secured awards, and reporting requirements.
• Conduct targeted research to identify emerging funding opportunities, sector trends, and policy developments relevant to workforce development and social enterprise.
• Represent NLEN with credibility and warmth in meetings, site visits, and sector convenings.
• Ensure excellence in execution by managing deadlines, compliance, and reporting with precision.

• Demonstrated success in securing significant public and private funding
• Strong relationship‑building skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders
• Strategic thinker who anticipates opportunities and brings actionable ideas forward
• Collaborative, emotionally intelligent communicator who navigates complex dynamics with diplomacy
• Proven ability to deliver high‑quality work under tight deadlines
• Knowledge of philanthropic trends, government funding processes, and workforce development issues
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and NLEN's mission

• BA/BS degree and a minimum of 5 years of related grant management and writing experience with public and private (federal, state, and foundations) grant proposals and applications is required.
• A proven track record of success in securing gifts from foundations and corporations
• Excellent self-management and organizational skills motivated by outcomes and goals
• Proven leadership and management experience delegating and creating clarity for team members and direct reports
• Strategic thinker who has the ability to build consensus across a diverse organization
• Highly organized, attentive to detail, goal‐oriented, and capable of multi‐tasking
• Experience with Salesforce or other donor management software preferred
• Experience with MailChimp or other email marketing software preferred
• Demonstrated success in information management and project management
• Budget planning and financial management experience a plus
• Experience with staff or intern supervision a plus
• Passion for NLEN mission and goals
• A commitment to social and economic justice
• Excellent time management skills and communications follow-up habits

• Comprehensive benefits package includes:
• Medical, vision, and dental plans
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays (11 days)
• Hybrid work schedule
• 401K participation, day one of employment
• Life Insurance

NLEN recently celebrated 25 years of transformative service to community members who are unemployed, formerly incarcerated, asset-limited, and/or income-constrained. The organization assists these individuals in securing employment and developing the skills to successfully navigate the job market, maintain fulfilling long-term employment, achieve educational ambitions, and build household wealth. NLEN empowers low-income job seekers with access to financial tools, digital literacy, and other supports, and partners with employers in recruiting and retaining employees. In 2024, NLEN served 1,642 clients, offered 921 financial services and workshops, and hired 40 transitional workers. Three out of five clients increased their monthly income, net worth, and FICO score. NLEN has an FY25 operating budget of $7.5 million and 46 permanent employees, more than 20 percent of whom are NLEN program graduates.

Of fundamental strategic importance to NLEN's mission are its groundbreaking Social Enterprises, Sweet Beginnings, LLC, and the beelove café. Sweet Beginnings is a wholly owned subsidiary of NLEN offering full-time transitional jobs to citizens returning from incarceration who face barriers to employment. Sweet Beginnings manages apiaries (bee farms) throughout Chicagoland, produces honey for consumption, and manufactures and sells all-natural honey-based skincare products. Sweet Beginnings honey is an essential ingredient at the beelove café, opened at NLEN's headquarters in 2021. The café has become a cherished community hub, providing a friendly gathering space and critical work opportunities to transitional employees.