What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manager, Grants position at U.S. Soccer Federation?
U.S. Soccer Overview
The U.S. Soccer Federation exists in service to soccer. Our aim is to ignite a national passion for the game. Because we believe that soccer is more than a sport; it is a force for good.
We understand the importance and the power of teamwork, on and off the pitch. That is why we work closely with our Federation partners and members, to inspire, support and guide every level of the game: from the grassroots to the National Teams. We want to bring soccer into every home and every community, right across America. Because we believe that soccer can transform lives like no other sport. Soccer can represent the best of U.S.
U.S. Soccer is in a period of significant growth, with ambitious plans for U.S. Soccer in the near and far future. We are, therefore, looking for dynamic servant leaders to join us on this journey: in service to soccer. Applicants must be able to demonstrate visionary leadership, analytical decision-making, professional flexibility, and an empathic management style that builds bold teams and delivers globally significant results.
Position Description
The Grants Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day management of U.S. Soccer’s grant programs, including application, selection, disbursement, reporting, and evaluation processes. The Manager will work across Soccer Growth, Advancement, Commercial, and Soccer Forward Foundation to ensure grant programs are functioning efficiently and tracking towards their intended outcomes in alignment with overall U.S. Soccer strategies and goals. In addition to managing the operations of U.S. Soccer’s grant making programs, this position will also support the departments above to pursue and manage external funding opportunities.
Importantly, this role will also help build capacity across the soccer ecosystem to write stronger proposals and successfully implement grant-funded initiatives. This includes developing light-touch tools, resources, and support systems to help members and partners navigate funding opportunities, strengthen program design, and improve operational readiness for grant implementation.
Primary Responsibilities
- Execute the operations of U.S. Soccer’s grant programs, including management of technology platforms; application, review, and approval processes; agreement and funding mechanisms; and reporting, compliance, evaluation, and close-out processes.
- Work with the Finance Department to execute and track grant funding disbursements.
- Work with the Legal Department on grant agreements, modifications, and other related items as needed.
- Maintain active communication and build strong, trust-based relationships with funding recipients.
- Promote grant programs to relevant stakeholders through strategic marketing and communications.
- Develop reporting, dashboards, and impact summaries for funders, donors, senior leadership, and other departments.
- Monitor grant performance and progress toward intended outcomes, identifying risks, gaps, or support needs early.
- Establish consistent impact-measurement approaches (e.g., shared indicators, templates, or light-touch data collection tools) to help recipients demonstrate outcomes and meet reporting requirements.
- Provide training, tools, and resources to help ecosystem partners build capacity to develop competitive proposals and successfully implement awarded grants.
- Offer technical assistance to recipients on budgeting, program design, compliance, evaluation planning, and storytelling for impact.
- Support other departments in the pursuit and stewardship of external funding opportunities, including proposal development, budget preparation, and post-award management.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen the overall grantmaking infrastructure—simplifying processes, improving accessibility, and increasing the likelihood of successful implementation across the ecosystem.
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required
- 3-5 years of grants management experience in a grant making role
- Strong, professional written and verbal communications skills, with the ability to effectively deliver important information to diverse stakeholders
- Elevated critical thinking and uncompromisable ethical standards
- Accurate, meticulous work style with strong organizational and time management skills
- Capable of working in fast-paced and demanding environments
- Demonstrable experience building and maintaining trust across diverse stakeholders
- Must be committed to U.S. Soccer’s culture, specifically under our In Service to Soccer strategy
- Knowledge of the U.S. Soccer member landscape preferred
- Experience working with high-profile funders or funders with substantial compliance requirements a plus
- Must be able to connect “micro” details to the “macro” vision and mission
- Proficient experience with Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook)
U.S. Soccer offers a comprehensive compensation package, casual work environment, an inclusive culture, and an atmosphere for professional development.
U.S. Soccer is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, military status, political belief, or any other characteristic protected under the law. This policy applies to all our employment practices within our organization. We strongly encourage women, people of color, LGBTQIA, veterans, parents, and persons with disabilities to apply.