Charter School Program Grant Manager (Education Associate) - 60023747

The mission of the South Carolina Department of Education is to serve students, support teachers, empower parents, and engage the community so that every student graduates prepared to reach their full potential. Job Purpose:The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) seeks a results-driven professional to manage the Charter School Program (CSP) Planning and Implementation Grant and related initiatives. Reporting to the Charter School Program Team Lead, the Grant Manager oversees grant implementation, compliance, fiscal oversight, reporting, and stakeholder engagement. The role develops monitoring and technical assistance systems that support the planning, launch, expansion, and replication of high-quality charter schools across South Carolina. Ideal candidates bring strong grant management, project leadership, and data analysis skills, along with a commitment to expanding educational opportunities for students statewide. Job Functions:Lead Grant Operations. Plan, organize, and oversee all aspects of the Charter School Program grants, including annual competitions, application review processes, awards, onboarding, monitoring, technical assistance, closeout activities, and federal reporting. Maintain annual work plans, implementation timelines, milestone tracking systems, and grant deliverables. Ensure Federal and State Compliance. Ensure compliance with all applicable federal grant requirements, state laws, program regulations, Uniform Grant Guidance, monitoring requirements, and agency procedures. Maintain grant documentation, standard operating procedures, compliance calendars, and risk mitigation plans. Identify potential compliance concerns early and coordinate corrective actions when necessary. Manage Subgrant Programs and Fiscal Oversight. Administer competitive subgrant programs supporting the planning, implementation, replication, and expansion of charter schools. Oversee award processes, reimbursement reviews, budget amendments, risk assessments, fiscal monitoring, and expenditure tracking. Ensure all grant funds are used appropriately and aligned with approved project goals. Oversee Program Data and Evaluation. Ensure the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of grant performance data. Develop systems for collecting, validating, tracking, and analyzing program outcomes. Monitor implementation benchmarks, subgrantee performance, school outcomes, and grant indicators. Partner with Research, Accountability, Finance, and Information Technology staff to improve reporting and data systems. Deliver Required Reporting and Federal Communications. Prepare required reports, performance updates, monitoring documentation, evaluation summaries, and federal submissions. Serve as the primary liaison with the United States Department of Education and coordinate responses to information requests, monitoring activities, audits, and compliance reviews. Coordinate Technical Assistance and Capacity Building. Lead the design and implementation of technical assistance systems that support charter developers, charter school leaders, governing boards, and authorizers. Oversee onboarding programs, webinars, trainings, monitoring visits, leadership development initiatives, and stakeholder supports that strengthen charter school quality and sustainability Manage External Partners and Contractors. Manage contracts, consultants, technical assistance providers, evaluators, and partner organizations. Establish expectations, monitor deliverables, evaluate performance, and ensure alignment with grant objectives, timelines, budgets, and quality standards. Advance Charter School Quality and Innovation. Support statewide efforts to expand access to high-quality charter schools through strategic initiatives such as school replication and expansion, leadership development, authorizer improvement, community engagement, and continuous improvement activities. Identify opportunities to strengthen program effectiveness and long-term sustainability.

This position is located in the Office of Education Choice and Family Engagement. A bachelor's degree and experience in education, management or business.

• Bachelor's degree and relevant experience in education, public administration, business administration, grant administration, nonprofit management, or related field.
• Master's degree in education, public administration, business administration, public policy, or related field.
• Project management certification (PMP, CAPM, Lean Six Sigma, or similar) preferred.
• Experience managing complex grant programs, education initiatives, or large-scale projects with multiple stakeholders and recurring deadlines.
• Demonstrated experience with compliance monitoring, fiscal oversight, program evaluation, reporting, or accountability systems.
• Experience managing federal education grants.
• Experience conducting monitoring reviews, risk assessments, audits, or compliance activities.
• Experience managing contracts, consultants, or technical assistance providers.
• Experience using grant management, financial management, or data reporting systems.
• Strong written communication skills and the ability to prepare executive-level reports, guidance documents, technical communications, and monitoring reports.
• Excellent organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to build productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of charter schools, charter school authorizing, and federal Charter Schools Program requirements.

The employee works under the general supervision of the Charter School Program Team Lead and administers Charter Schools Program (CSP) grants and related initiatives. Responsibilities include grant compliance, fiscal monitoring, reporting, technical assistance, stakeholder engagement, and program implementation. The employee exercises independent judgment in managing day-to-day activities, identifying risks, interpreting federal and state requirements, and recommending improvements, while elevating significant policy, legal, fiscal, or programmatic matters to leadership. This position is based in West Columbia, SC, with hybrid work opportunities. In-state and occasional overnight travel may be required for monitoring, technical assistance, conferences, and other program activities. The position requires regular computer use, meetings, presentations, report preparation, and occasional lifting of materials up to 20 pounds. Some schedule flexibility may be necessary to meet grant deadlines and program priorities. As a part of a generous compensation package, we offer comprehensive benefits that include generous paid time off, preeminent health care benefits, professional development opportunities, pension, a 401(k), and a hybrid work schedule with opportunity for remote work. The South Carolina Department of Education offers an exceptional benefits package that includes:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year.
• 15 days sick leave per year.
• 13 paid holidays.
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs.

ONLY THOSE APPLICANTS CHOSEN FOR AN INTERVIEW WILL BE NOTIFIED BY LETTER THAT THE POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED. http://www.ed.sc.gov/jobs/human-resources/title-ix-nondiscrimination/