Director, Grant Administration

Join a dynamic and impactful team at Metra, where you'll play a key role in managing essential capital grant funds. As the Director of Grant Administration, you'll lead a dedicated team of eight professionals, including two managers, and report directly to the Senior Director of Grant Management & Accounting. You'll oversee grant applications, reimbursement processes, and ensure compliance with grantor regulations. With a multi-billion dollar grant portfolio under your leadership, you'll have the opportunity to shape capital projects across Metra's 6-county service area, directly contributing to the success of Metra's mission and vision.

The Director oversees a team of eight (8), including:

• Two Managers: Grant Applications and Grant Reimbursement
• Grant Analysts and Support Staff

Primary Responsibilities

Leadership & Oversight

• Lead, mentor, and provide technical expertise to the Grant Administration team.
• Oversee the Grant Applications and Grant Reimbursement Managers, ensuring efficiency in their respective areas.
• Assess team capabilities, optimize work assignments, and establish priorities.
• Ensure proper formulation, submission, and maintenance of complex funding agreements.
• Oversee financial system rules to align capital budgets with eligible projects.

Grant Compliance & Financial Management

• Direct grant reimbursement processes to ensure timely drawdowns and compliance with cash flow requirements.
• Review and approve funding agreements with municipalities, including Exhibit B schedules.
• Approve environmental analyses and historic preservation documents for federal grant applications.
• Coordinate with internal departments on real estate acquisitions and funding agency approvals to maintain grant compliance.

Regulatory & Audit Compliance

• Oversee the dissemination of grant agreement terms and conditions.
• Lead FTA Triennial Review efforts, including documentation, third-party collaboration, and follow-ups.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local funding regulations.
• Direct responses to third-party audits related to grant budgets and reimbursements.

Grantor Investment & Reporting

• Monitor grantor investments in agency assets for current and past grants.
• Oversee investment tracking in real property and approve asset dispositions.
• Manage reporting on grantor investment history.

Team Management & Organizational Support

• Supervise two managers and oversee a team of eight staff members, including a Grant Analyst.
• Approve time off, coordinate schedules, and manage vacancies.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and objectives.
• Oversee performance evaluations and manage disciplinary actions, including terminations.
• Promote and maintain a safe and efficient work environment.

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform other duties as assigned to support organizational goals.

Metra's Grant Management is structured into four key areas:

1. Grant Development - Coordinates project-level information and submits applications for capital, operating, and demonstration grants to funding agencies.
2. Grant Administration - Tracks approved grant contracts, ensures financial oversight, and reports project progress to funding agencies.
3. Grant Reimbursement - Manages reimbursement requests for capital expenditures, closes out capital project grants, and provides documentation for audits and funding agency reviews.
4. Grant Accounting - Maintains records and reports related to fixed assets, depreciation, funding agency equity, and capital grant receivables, ensuring proper reconciliation with expenditures and general ledger accounts.

The final salary will depend on the candidate's qualifications. Those with 8 years or more of required experience can expect offers up to the midpoint of the salary range. Metra provides full pay ranges so candidates can consider their growth potential.

Click here to learn more about our benefits!

Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry Counties. The agency is linking communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe, reliable, and efficient commuter service.

1. Education: Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Transportation Planning, Urban Planning, or a related field. In lieu of a degree, a combination of education and experience equating to four (4) years in grant administration and implementation-preferably in public transportation or government grant management-will be considered.
2. Minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in grant management and funding oversight, preferably in the railroad or public transportation industry. Relevant experience may include developing and managing grants and capital programs, financial audits, or federal grant administration.
3. At least three (3) years of management experience, including responsibilities such as approving time off, coordinating staff schedules, filling vacancies, ensuring compliance with policies, conducting performance evaluations, and handling disciplinary actions.

Other Requirements:

1. Willingness to travel within Metra's six-county region. Availability to work flexible hours, including early mornings, late afternoons, evenings, and weekends as needed.

Soft Skills & Competencies:

1. Excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively engage internal and external stakeholders.
2. Strong organizational and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret federal grant requirements and manage multiple long-term projects.
3. Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities to identify grant-related issues, evaluate solutions, and make informed decisions.
4. Ability to oversee the development and maintenance of grant-related applications and programs.
5. Capable of leading public hearings, setting priorities, and meeting strict deadlines.
6. Strategic management of financial, informational, and human resources to ensure successful grant administration.

Technical Skills:

1. Strong knowledge of local, state, and federal grant research, application processes, and compliance requirements.
2. Extensive experience in financial management systems, financial reporting, grant reimbursements, and expenditure tracking.
3. Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access). Database management experience is preferred.
4. Familiarity with Microsoft AX, D365, or similar enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems is a plus.

Metra employees in an active review period under the current discipline policy or who have documented attendance or performance issues will not be considered and/or selected for this position.

Please note: Regardless of any state laws that legalize marijuana, Metra prohibits applicants and employees' use or possession of marijuana (or marijuana paraphernalia), or having detectable amounts of marijuana in their bodies, including synthetic and/or non-synthetic substances such as THC for any reason for pre-employment screening purposes, while on duty, subject to duty, on Metra property, or in Metra work equipment and vehicles.

Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

Metra is committed to ensuring that our career website and recruiting process are accessible to all individuals. If you encounter difficulties or limitations in using or accessing our online application, or if you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, participate in interviews, complete any pre-employment testing, or engage in any other aspect of the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to RAC@Metrarr.com.