Grants Compliance Specialist

About the Position

The Grants Compliance Specialist will play a critical role in monitoring grant-funded programs on behalf of clients. This role is responsible for monitoring, testing, reporting, and providing technical support to ensure fiscal and programmatic compliance with grant agreements. The Specialist will serve as a key partner to the public sector education clients by ensuring rigorous oversight, transparent reporting, and corrective action where needed.

Key Responsibilities

Monitoring & Review

• Assist with implementing grant monitoring on specific schedules
• Support fiscal compliance reviews
• Assist with reconciliations of expenditure reports including review of supporting documentation
• Review client compliance of expenditures in line with 2 CFR 200 Subpart E and other state and local guidance
• Review client tracking, use, and reporting of equipment and supplies purchased with grant funds, staff paid with grant funds are properly licensed/certified, and supporting documentation
• Assist with recommendations on corrective actions to address identified deficiencies
• Support additional testing as requested, informed by risk assessments or other directives.
•  

Reporting & Communication

• Draft and finalize monitoring reports with findings in accordance with federal and state requirements
• Maintain ongoing and scheduled weekly communications with client stakeholders
• Prepare and submit required reports on schedule
• Maintain compliance monitoring checklists, notes, reports and other engagement documentation

Skills and Attributes

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to reconcile budgets, expenditures, and supporting documentation
• High attention to detail, accuracy, and organization
• Ability to apply critical thinking and problem-solving to compliance issues and recommend corrective actions
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft clear, professional reports
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and financial systems for data analysis and reporting
• Professional integrity and discretion in handling sensitive fiscal and programmatic information
• Commitment to integrity, collaboration, and inclusion, aligning with Vega’s core values

Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, Education, or related field required; Master’s preferred.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in grants administration, compliance, or audit (preferably with federal or state education grants).
• Familiarity with 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance), federal cost principles, and state/local grant administration requirements.
• Prior experience conducting fiscal reviews, audits, or monitoring of grant-funded programs strongly preferred.

Location

Must be within reasonable driving distance to Chicago and available to work from office at 332 S. Michigan Avenue, (downtown Chicago loop), and travel to schools as needed.

Compensation and Hours

Competitive hourly or project-based rate, commensurate with experience; Flexible hours, depending on assignments and project duration