Grant Writing and Development Manager

Req ID: 426706 

BASIC PURPOSE: Role that directly contributes to revenue growth and customer retention for all services and solutions at Trillium.  As a Grant Program Manager, the direct responsibilities are to actively influence grant programs that are being developed, identify high-value grant program opportunities for existing and prospective customers, manage the grant program when it comes in-house, determine the best strategy to respond to the grant based on competition, match share, state/federal goals, etc., work with the Grant Writing and Development Manager to respond to grant RFPs, negotiate contracts for the grants that get awarded and work alongside the Contract Compliance team to ensure the grant recipient remains compliant with all requirements.  He/she will meet regularly with all members of several commercial teams to present options for grant opportunities. He/she will also listen to the needs of customers through these team members and seek out opportunities and solutions to present internally and externally.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop a strategy for responding to each grant. This includes problem solving, reasoning, independent decision-making and analyzing the grant opportunity and submitting a proposal that gives the organization the highest likelihood of success.
• Create and manage scalable processes that support a comprehensive grant management system Manage large grant programs, such as the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, pre-submittal and post submittal
• Negotiate and execute contracts with granting agency that positions the organization for success.
• Manage pre-award activities connected with grant and contract proposals, including response strategy, initial planning, budget forecasting, match share determination, proposal development, funding, engineering, and obtaining internal and external approvals
• Negotiate grant application changes internally with externally with sponsors (e.g., local, state and federal stakeholders)
• Ensure all pre-award activities are completed and forms are completed properly including budget, budget justification, Just-In-Time requests and support documentation
• Proofreads and edits proposal materials
• Build a detailed tracking report of all current, past, and future grant programs at a local, state, and federal level
• Meet weekly with team members to understand overarching company goals and identify potential client solutions
• Work alongside marketing/communications to distribute pertinent information to existing customers
• Participate in the development and implementation of sales strategies to meet or exceed annual sales and pipeline goals.
• Collaborate with the client and internal resources to gain technical specifications for any grant opportunities that have been identified and ensure final approval has been given both internally ad externally before submittal
• Thoroughly document all requirements of any grant application to be communicated to both the internal team and to the customer. Upon award, transition compliance tracking to the Contract Compliance team.
• Gather market insight and competitive intelligence in the alternative fuels transportation, carbon, renewables, and all ESG-related markets. 
• Be able to gain and message a detailed understanding of the company functional capabilities at industry shows, client events or in the field selling.
• Play an ongoing role in managing customer expectations, ensuring changing customer needs are met, and assist in addressing any service and operations shortfalls.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Education:
  • HS Diploma or equivalent required
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Engineering or Finance discipline preferred
• Experience:
  • 3+ years of experience strategizing for and reviewing, managing, and responding to request for qualifications, quotes and information, including grant solicitations, on behalf of the organization.
  • 3+ years of experience developing proposals for customers.
  • 3+ years of experience with direct business to business sales experience with total contract values in excess of $250,000 per transaction.   
  • 3+ Experience in the Zero Emissions transportation market
  • 3+ Experience in the electric vehicle infrastructure market
  • Extremely familiar with the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, rules and regulations
  • Experience with negotiating and executing contracts
  • Experience within the performance contracting, renewable energy assets, engineering a plus.
  • Experience in the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Renewable Natural Gas (RNG), or Carbon offset industry is a plus

SKILLS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Skills:
  • Use of appropriate interpersonal skills and communication methods to build constructive relationships with customers, business units, service organizations and other stakeholders to meet shared goals and objectives.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Experience with Salesforce CRM
  • Demonstrate cooperation and collaboration while participating in a group or team.
  • Makes effective decisions and achieves desired results in the midst of changes in responsibilities, work processes, timeframes, performance expectations, organizational culture or work environment.
  • Actively supports and promotes corporate and/or business unit changes.
  • Focus on a goal and harnesses own and others’ energy to drive toward goal alignment; meets or exceeds expectations.
• Typical Physical Demands:
  • Requires prolonged sitting, some bending and stooping.
  • Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds.
  • Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer keyboard and calculator.
  • Requires normal range of hearing and vision.
  • Up to 50% Overnight Travel

Job Function(s): Corporate 

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores is the industry-leading travel stop network in the United States. For more than 55 years, we’ve provided customers with highway hospitality and “Clean Places, Friendly Faces.” We’re passionate about serving drivers with clean, modern facilities stocked with fuel, food and supplies. We offer meals from popular restaurant chains, trucking supplies, showers and everything needed to get back on the road quickly. The Love’s Family of Companies includes:

• Gemini Motor Transport, one of the industry’s safest trucking fleets
• Speedco, the light mechanical and trucking service specialists
• Musket, a rapidly growing, Houston-based commodities supplier and trader
• Trillium, a Houston-based alternative fuels expert