Grant Development Manager (9600)

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant.

LSF is seeking a talented Grant Development Manager who wants to make an impact in the lives of others.

Purpose and Impact:

LSF Health Systems, an arm of Lutheran Services Florida (LSF), is one of the seven behavioral healthcare Managing Entities serving the state of Florida through a contract with the Department of Children and Families. LSF Health Systems oversees a 23-county region in Northeast and North Central Florida, including Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Lake, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Union, and Volusia counties. Our network consists of more than 50 leading behavioral healthcare provider organizations that deliver mental health and substance use prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery support services. The Grant Development Manager is a full-time, exempt position within LSF’s Substance Abuse & Mental Health (SAMH) program. The position is based in Jacksonville, FL.

The Grant Development Manager identifies and evaluates new funding opportunities, develops written proposals and coordinates the application submission process for various funding sources (local, state, federal, foundations and other businesses) to increase resources within the Managing Entity's system of care. This position leads the development of complex proposals with multiple partners and/or subcontractors and ensures, in collaboration with program leaders, that project design is responsive to funder requirements. Additional responsibilities include developing and cultivating relationships with community stakeholders, local businesses, and foundations to secure support for LSF Health Systems’ Training Institute and other key Managing Entity initiatives.

Essential Functions:

• Researches local, state and federal government, as well as corporate and foundation grant opportunities that align with LSF Health Systems’ mission, needs, goals, and strategic objectives.
• Evaluates opportunities based on established criteria and leads the Go/No Go meetings in collaboration with program and management staff.
• Develops and maintains a grant/funding opportunity calendar outlining viable options for housing, criminal justice integration, training, and care coordination resources within the Northeast and North Central Florida region.
• Researches, organizes and maintains a resource library that includes relevant statistics and trends in behavioral health, housing, child welfare, and criminal justice for each of the 23 counties served by LSF Health Systems.
• Secures financial resources for operations through successful grant awards.
• Targets to be negotiated annually with LSFHS senior leadership.
• Coordinates the proposal and application development process with program and finance staff.
• Writes, edits, and submits grant and other business proposals that meet funder specifications within the required timeline; this includes but is not limited to developing the project narrative and draft letters of commitment, preparing all required forms and attachments, and ensuring alignment between the project narrative and the project budget.
• Maintains updated grant application records and prepares monthly reports for management and board meetings.
• Leads grant kick-off meetings post-award to facilitate the transition of new grant projects to project coordinators, including working with LSF’s contract department to assist in developing subaward and subcontractor agreements.
• Prepares continuation applications for multi-year grants.

Other Functions:

• Assists project coordinators in preparing grant progress reports as needed.
• Assists in providing technical assistance to provider organizations regarding resource and grant development.
• Other duties as assigned to advance the mission of LSF Health Systems.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to perform work primarily in a sedentary office environment, including sitting for extended periods while working at a computer.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, data entry, document preparation, and use of standard office equipment (e.g., computer, phone, copier).
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and via electronic communication.
• Ability to read, review, and analyze written and electronic documents, including grant applications, contracts, and financial reports.
• Occasional standing, walking, bending, and reaching within the office environment.
• Ability to lift and carry materials such as files, binders, or office supplies weighing up to 15 pounds on an occasional basis.
• Ability to travel within the 23-county region served by LSF Health Systems as needed.
• Valid Florida driver’s license and current insurance.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in health and human services field, journalism or communications with excellent research, critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. Master’s degree preferred.

Experience :

A minimum of 3 years of experience in grant/proposal writing to include identifying and evaluating funding opportunities, preparing required forms, leading program design and budget development sessions with program and finance staff, writing the project narrative, and preparing the final application packet for submission according to funder requirements.

At least 2 years of prior experience working in behavioral healthcare or health and human services organizations. A successful track record of securing a variety of private and government funding in the health and human services field.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent research, critical thinking, writing, editing, problem-solving and communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks daily and manage time effectively.
• Ability to meet critical deadlines on concurrent projects.
• Skilled in working with various electronic grant systems such as grants.gov and other federal agency systems.
• Attention to detail and skill in organizing and presenting information clearly.
• Proficient in Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Willingness to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Professionalism and diplomacy in all modes of communication (oral and written)

Other:

• Must demonstrate sensitivity to our service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Reports to the AVP Clinical Program Operations
• Accurate, complete and timely submission of all required reports, forecasts, proposals, and analyses.
• Adherence to agency policies and management practices.

Why work for LSF?

LSF offers 60 programs across the state of Florida serving a wide range of populations in need. Mission Driven staff members become part of the LSF community while transforming the lives of those in need. Our staff additionally find growth opportunities as they explore areas of interest within the organization.

Amazing benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Telehealth (24/7 online access to Doctors)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employer paid life insurance (1X salary)
• 13 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday
• Generous PTO policy (starting at 16 working days a year)
  • Note: Head Start employees paid time off and holiday schedule may differ
• 403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match OR 3% student loan repayment reimbursement
• Tuition reimbursement

LSF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Lutheran Services Florida is mandated to perform background screenings for employment in accordance with the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse as outlined in Section 435.12, Florida Statutes. Additionally, pursuant to House Bill 531 (2025), Lutheran Services Florida must ensure that all job vacancy postings and advertisements include a clear and conspicuous link to the AHCA Clearinghouse website and its requirements. For more information on background screening requirements please visit: