Chief Grants & Impact Officer

YWCA Knoxville & the Tennessee Valley is on a mission to eliminate racism and empower women across East Tennessee. Every day, we put this mission into action through life-saving and life-changing programs that support women, children, and families in six counties. Rooted in the values of peace, justice, freedom, and dignity, we work to strengthen communities and create opportunities for all. We are a dynamic, mission-driven organization that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous growth. Join a passionate team making a lasting impact in the lives of those we serve.

The Chief Grants & Impact Officer plays a central leadership role in advancing the YWCA’s mission by providing strategic oversight and coordination of program operations, grant management, and impact evaluation. This position works closely with program leaders to ensure services are compliant, sustainable, and achieving measurable outcomes. The role also leads the organization’s grant writing, billing, and reporting functions, strengthening funding partnerships and accountability. The ideal candidate is strategic, detail oriented, collaborative, and passionate about using data to strengthen services and expand community impact.

Duties and Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Oversight  

• Provide strategic leadership and operational coordination for all YWCA programs, including Keys of Hope/Social Services, Victim Services, Youth Services, and Community Engagement initiatives.
• Support program managers to ensure alignment with organizational goals, grant objectives, and performance outcomes. 
• Oversee program budgets, billing, and expenditures to ensure fiscal accuracy and accountability.
• Ensure all programs operate with trauma-informed, evidence-based practices that uphold YWCA values of dignity, empowerment, and equity.
• Develop systems to measure and report program outcomes and impact, using data to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Lead program planning, expansion, and evaluation to meet emerging community needs and funder priorities.

Grants Management & Development

• Serve as the primary grant writer for all foundation, corporate, federal, state, and local funding opportunities.
• Research, write, and submit compelling grant proposals that align with YWCA’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Manage the full grant lifecycle: proposal submission, budget development, award documentation, contract execution, billing, and reporting.
• Maintain accurate records of all grants to ensure timely billing, invoicing, and draw requests.
• Prepare detailed reports for funders, ensuring all deliverables, outcomes, and compliance requirements are met.
• Collaborate with the CEO and leadership team to identify new funding opportunities and partnerships that advance program impact and sustainability.

Compliance & Reporting

• Oversee compliance with all grant, programmatic, and contractual requirements across departments.
• Develop and maintain internal tracking systems to monitor grant deliverables, budgets, and reporting deadlines.
• Conduct regular audits of program documentation, data entry, and participant files to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Ensure expenditures align with grant budgets and restricted funding guidelines.
• Prepare internal progress reports and summaries for the CEO, Board, and funders as needed.

Impact & Evaluation

• Lead organization-wide efforts to track outcomes, measure impact, and tell the story of YWCA’s mission-driven work through data and narrative.
• Work with program staff to define clear metrics and performance indicators for each program area.
• Analyze trends in service delivery to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for innovation.
• Develop dashboards and summaries that highlight impact for funders, board members, and community stakeholders.
• Support storytelling and fundraising efforts through data-informed impact reporting.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Serve on the YWCA Leadership Team, contributing to organizational strategy and decision-making.
• Provide mentorship, coaching, and performance feedback to program managers and staff.
• Foster collaboration between program, communications, and development teams to align messaging, funding, and outcomes.
• Represent the YWCA at community meetings, coalitions, and partnerships to advance collective goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible leadership experience in nonprofit program management, grant writing, and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated success securing, managing, and stewarding federal, state, and private foundation grants, including reporting and reimbursement processes.
• Strong financial acumen with experience overseeing multi-program budgets, grant billing, and fund tracking in collaboration with finance teams.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience utilizing data management systems to track outcomes, analyze performance, and ensure data integrity.
• Working knowledge of QuickBooks accounting software, including budget monitoring, billing support, and financial reporting functions.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex data into clear, compelling narratives for funders and stakeholders.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and supportive workplace where everyone can thrive.

Compensation

• Pay Range: $65,000–$75,000 annually
• Schedule: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Competitive retirement plan with employer contribution
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, mental health days, 10 holidays, and office closure between Christmas and New Year’s

YWCA Knoxville & the Tennessee Valley is an equal opportunity employer and a proud United Way community partner. We are committed to building a diverse team and fostering an inclusive environment where all employees can thrive. We strongly encourage women, veterans, and individuals from historically underrepresented communities to apply.

Application Deadline: March 13, 2026