Grants and Compliance Manager

$ - $/year

* Starting salary is dependent upon qualifications, but in most cases is no higher than the midpoint for the range.

The Grants & Compliance Manager is responsible for evaluating and applying for competitive federal, state, and private funding to expand funding to address the City's housing and community development goals and oversee the day-to-day operations of the Grants & Compliance Division. The position requires knowledge and expertise relating to housing finance and building effective working relationships with state and regional partners including the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), Cook County, and the Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC) to develop partnerships that achieve mutual goals.

This position is responsible for the administration and management of funded programs and projects, reporting, and compliance for various local, state and federal grants including but not limited to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) entitlement grants, and the PRO Housing competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This position also oversees projects and programs funded by the City's Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) and other funding sources to achieve the goals of the City's Strategic Housing Plan in collaboration with the Planning & Zoning and Building & Development Services divisions.

This position supervises the Housing & Grants Supervisor, whose direct reports are the Senior Grants & Compliance Specialist, Housing & Economic Development Analyst, Housing Loan Specialist, and CDBG Financial Analyst.

• Identify, evaluate, and apply for competitive funding opportunities from federal, state, and private sources to support and expand housing and community development programs.
• Support the development and implementation of programs and projects aligned with the City's adopted plans and initiatives.
• Serve as the City's subject matter expert in housing finance, including loan structuring, underwriting, and leveraging public/private funds for housing initiatives.
• Supervise the Housing & Grants Supervisor and provide strategic direction and support to their team, including the Senior Grants & Compliance Specialist, Housing & Economic Development Analyst, Housing Loan Specialist, and CDBG Financial Analyst.
• Oversee the life cycles of federal, state, and local grants, including entitlement programs such as CDBG and HOME; ensure compliance with all regulatory and reporting requirements, including the HUD Consolidated Plan process.
• Oversee implementation, reporting, and monitoring of programs and projects funded by the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) and other public/private sources.
• Ensure financial accountability and compliance for all grant‑funded projects.
• Build and maintain partnerships with regional and state agencies such as IHDA, CMAP, Cook County, and HACC to coordinate and align efforts on housing and community development initiatives.
• Represent the City in regional housing and grant‑related forums and consortia.
• Monitor program outcomes and ensure timely and accurate submission of required reports to funding agencies and City leadership.
• Develop and maintain performance metrics to assess the effectiveness of housing and grant programs.
• Contribute to the development of policies and procedures that support equitable housing and grant administration.
• Work with nonprofit agencies and developers to leverage external resources and expand capacity to provide for the needs of Evanston residents and businesses.
• Advise senior leadership and City Council on grant opportunities, program performance, and strategic initiatives.
• Foster professional development and ensure high performance across the Grants & Compliance Division.
• Collaborate with other divisions, such as Planning & Zoning and Building & Development Services, to integrate housing and community development goals.
• Ensure compliance with the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance (IHO).
• Staff the Housing & Community Development and Social Services Committees in compliance with the Open Meetings…