Grant Administrator

Kentucky is betting that entrepreneur-led growth deserves a place at the center of economic development. KY GRIT is how that bet gets tested.

Over two years, $6 million in state funding will flow through KY GRIT to Innovation Hubs and partners across the Commonwealth to scale what's working for high-growth founders. We need the person who makes sure every dollar lands where it should, and can prove it.

This is a build role. The program is new. You'll help stand up the application process, review workflow, reporting cadence and audit trail the state will use to judge the pilot. You'll work with Innovation Hubs across Kentucky, the Cabinet for Economic Development and statewide partners. Two years from now, you'll have run one of the most visible entrepreneurship programs in the state from first application to final report.

• Run the program by managing each funding round and the program workplan, keeping Hubs, partners and the Grant Committee on schedule
• Run a fair process by reviewing submissions for eligibility, coordinating reviewers, and preparing monthly Committee packets
• Paper every award by drafting award agreements and payment schedules, and confirming every payment is backed by documentation
• Keep awards on track by working with recipients so awards deliver against budgets, milestones and compliance rules
• Tell the story with evidence by collecting recipient reports and drafting semi-annual reports to the state
• Stay audit-ready by keeping records clean from day one and closing out each award
• Build the system by helping shape the application, scoring and reporting tools the program runs on
• Hold the line with partners you respect while maintaining relationships and avoiding bridge-burning

You'll run the day-to-day operation of KY GRIT, from the first application to the final report. Every dollar is awarded fairly, paid against documented results, and reported accurately to the Commonwealth.

• Run the program. Manage each funding round and the program workplan, keeping Hubs, partners and the Grant Committee on schedule.
• Run a fair process. Review submissions for eligibility, coordinate reviewers, and prepare monthly Committee packets.
• Paper every award. Draft award agreements and payment schedules, and confirm every payment is backed by documentation.
• Keep awards on track. Work with recipients so awards deliver against budgets, milestones and compliance rules.
• Tell the story with evidence. Collect recipient reports and draft semi-annual reports to the state.
• Stay audit-ready. Keep records clean from day one and close out each award.
• Build the system. Help shape the application, scoring and reporting tools the program runs on, rather than inheriting someone else's binder.

• Experience with grants management software, online application portals or QuickBooks
• Experience preparing for a financial audit or a state agency review
• Knowledge of nonprofit or economic development funding structures
• Familiarity with Kentucky's entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem

• Health, vision and dental benefits (if full-time position selected)
• Real ownership and direct line to the Executive Director
• Defined two-year mission with a clear finish line
• Statewide visibility and network across Kentucky's economic development community
• Flexibility in work arrangement and employment structure