The Governor’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade (“OEDIT”) was created to foster a positive business climate that encourages quality economic development through the support of local and regional economic development activities throughout the State of Colorado. A comprehensive slate of programs within OEDIT’s divisions work together to offer economic development services for all Colorado businesses – new and expanding, traditional and emerging, small and large – including retention programs to ensure continued competitiveness of Colorado’s economic base, and job training to keep Colorado’s workforce the best in the nation.

POSITION: 

The Grants and Funding Manager provides policy and administrative management of the CTO’s Meetings and Events Incentive Program for the recovery of the meetings and events industry in Colorado in a collaborative framework with internal and external stakeholders. The primary focus will be on the management of the meetings and events incentive program, but this position will also back up and assist with other funding opportunity programs at CTO. The position offers full-time employment as an at-will State of Colorado Employee. The anticipated term of this position is approximately 2 years.

The Meetings and Events Incentive Program provides rebates of eligible hard costs for meetings and events in Colorado to assist in the state’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. This program supports the retention and attraction of meetings and events to Colorado through December 31, 2022. This incentive program also aims to do the following: 

1. Incentivize meetings and events planners to book in Colorado.

2. Bolster Colorado’s tourism economy with predictable and significant revenues stemming from medium to large meetings and events. 

3. Build Colorado’s market share for meetings and events-based tourism.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Duties are related to developing, managing, promoting, reporting on, and managing partners who administer incentive funds in support of the Meetings and Events Incentive Program for the State of Colorado. There is a substantial process management component to this position.  Program will include oversight of a third-party vendor. Responsibilities will include the following: 

 Program Management 

• Collaborate with the CTO Director of Grants and Funding and Deputy Director of Programs along with other stakeholders to develop and implement policy guidelines, report templates, application materials, marketing materials, and other program documents and processes in compliance with state statutes and applicable federal regulations.

• Incentive administration will be contracted through a third-party vendor and this position will provide ongoing supervision and incentive administration capacity.

• Serve as a central liaison between third-party vendor, Colorado Tourism Office, OEDIT Accounting/Procurement,  and other key stakeholders

• Manager will be responsible for the monitoring of the program, program delivery, accounting, third-party vendor, and internal operations for fraud waste and abuse as well as any duplication of benefits.

• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders and Third-Party vendor to manage the contract, budget reallocation, and reporting management in alignment with expectations of the program 

• Serve as the primary liaison for all troubleshooting and Q&A from external customers on technical issues with online platform

• Perform other duties as assigned

Contract Management/Management of Third-Party Vendor

• Responsible for third-party oversight, ensuring that all parties are in compliance and meeting contract objectives, results reporting, and for resolving issues and processing amendments as needed. 

• Ensures vendor deliverables, third-party processes, and necessary documentation are completed and implemented consistently across the portfolio through the planning, due diligence, and contracting process

• Evaluate summaries, reports, and incentive projects against eligibility criteria including compliance with statutes. 

• Documents incentive program performance and tracks accomplishments

Fiscal and Reporting Management:

• Manages program’s adherence to OEDIT fiscal guidelines 

• Develop, coordinate, and plan reporting templates/requirements for third-party vendors focusing on compliance with regulations, program policies, and internal controls.

• Track administrative funding and incentive pool to ensure incentive funds are deployed according to Meeting and Events Incentive statutory minimum requirements and according to program guidelines.

• Work with third-party vendors and accounting staff to reconcile incentive funds and perform other tasks.

• Document and review submitted reports, follow up on outstanding deliverables, and ensure that potential issues are raised promptly to senior management with a view to identifying options to mitigate risk.

• Identify enhancements and process efficiencies to keep the program in line with best practices.

Communications Management

• Works with the Director of Grants & Funding and OEDIT Communications Department to ensure broad awareness of program requirements and application process. 

• Coordinates regularly with stakeholders to effectively communicate program opportunity

General CTO Grant, Sponsorship, Scholarship Program duties 

• Provide support for CTO Director of Grants and Funding with all aspects of CTO’s grant processes from the application through the award including, but not limited to: application design, grant administration policies, and oversee posting/publicity of grant program.

• Assist with the preparation and coordination of grant panel committee meetings

• Support the grant submission process (coordinating program launches, processing grant applications, ensuring all data has been appropriately inputted in the database).

• Assist with review of grant applications 

• Assist with obtaining and reviewing required documentation from Grantees for grant compliance

• Work with Accounting to manage the processing and tracking of grant payments.

• Provide reports, respond to inquiries and grants histories as requested, and assist grant seekers with the application process.

• Assist with archiving of required grant documentation

• Perform other duties as assigned

COMPETENCIES: 

• Taking Initiative: Leadership and initiative-taking with a proven track record of getting work done and developing relationships and facilitating processes with large numbers of stakeholders.

• Strategic Planning: Able to take a bird’s eye view of a complex system of applicants, reviewers, stakeholders, and technologies to oversee an incentive system and processes

• Process Design, Project Management, and Administrative Skills – Ability to quickly design, leverage, and execute processes and manage projects in compliance with state and controller policies. Manage contracts. Work with other CTO team members. 

• Reporting and Analytical Skills - Strong attention to detail with the ability to analyze complex problems and develop and communicate effective recommendations. Ability to track and report on program metrics. This will necessitate basic financial, accounting, budgeting, tracking, and reporting skills.

• Communication Skills: Is understood by and understands others; clearly articulates key points when writing and speaking; actively listening. Is able to work and communicate with stakeholders with strong personalities and opinions productively and collaboratively. Willing to offer productive opinions and feedback in group meeting settings.

• Results Driven: Drives for successful results; makes things happen and conveys a sense of urgency; sets aggressive goals and works hard to achieve these goals; moves tasks and assignments toward closure; invests considerable effort to ensure goals are met in a high-quality manner.

• Passion: High degree of commitment to helping Colorado recover from economic losses resulting from the recent pandemic.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Past experience should demonstrate expertise in the following areas:

• BA/BS in Economics, Business, Public Administration, Economic Development or similar degree or other BA/BS with equivalent work experience.

• Three (3) years of relevant grant management, project management, public program support, or business/industry work experience

• Financial and business analysis skills.

• Experience building, tracking, and managing budgets working with the accounting department, and administering contracts required.

• Very good Microsoft Office Skills (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) required. Ability to quickly adapt to and work with Salesforce and other grant/funding management tools.

• Highly ethical and focused on achieving fair and transparent process execution in the face of potential public pressure and scrutiny.

• Ability to understand, design, and manage complex process flows and continually streamline and refine business requirements and workflows

• Strong collaborator who builds relationships and partnerships.

• Attention to detail required.

• Ability to work with a wide variety of people while exercising confidentiality and discretion as appropriate.

• Highly developed oral and written communication skills that include the demonstrated ability to communicate in a clear, concise manner

• Team orientation, a demonstrated ability to work effectively with others, and strong interpersonal skills

JOB APPLICATION PROCESS

A cover letter, resume, and a minimum of three references must be submitted to oedit.info@state.co.us with the subject line of "CTO Grants and Incentives Manager" application for consideration. Your cover letter and resume must provide sufficient detail about your background and experience to allow the screening panel to properly assess your experience in the required elements, including your experience and achievements.  

 We offer a generous benefits package including:

• Annual leave accrued at 13.33 hours per month

• Sick leave accrued at 6.66 hours a month

• 10 paid holidays per year

• Medical and dental plans

• State paid life insurance policy of $50,000

• Choice of 2 retirement plans

• 401K and 457 plans

• State paid Short Term Disability coverage

• Additional optional life and disability plans

• Credit Union Membership

• RTD pass

• Access to gym and bike barn at 1600 Broadway building

• Training and professional development

To learn more about State of Colorado benefits visit:https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/benefits.

ADAAA Accommodations: Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact Michelle Hunter by phone (303) 866-6309 or email michelle.m.hunter@state.co.us at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.