Grant Manager Resume Example
Starting a career as a grant manager gives you the chance to gain experience in managing grant applications and ensuring compliance standards. A professional resume for grant manager applications will showcase your relevant skills and career achievements, to help you stand out from the crowd. In this article, we'll outline how to write a winning resume to boost your chances of success in your grant manager applications.
This complete guide to a grant manager resume will equip you with the tools you need to compete in your applications. You'll find useful insights on constructing a resume that makes the most of your unique skills, experience and strengths. You'll also learn how to tailor your resume according to the job description, and depending on your experience levels. Read on to learn how to write a perfect grant manager resume, from the advice of careers experts at Jobseeker.
What to include in a grant manager resume
The key sections to include in a grant manager resume are similar to those for any role or profession.
If you're applying for an entry-level grant manager role and have limited relevant experience, consider using a skills-based, or functional resume format. The layout emphasizes your skills and education above your work experience. Draw attention to your soft and transferable skills, as employers will value these highly for entry-level roles. You could also mention any internships, training or volunteer work that helps you showcase skills relevant to the position.
When applying for mid-level grant manager positions, it's typically best to opt for a reverse-chronological resume format. This is because work experience tends to be the most important resume section for this level. In your resume work experience section, outline your relevant achievements and showcase the impact you've made in your career to date. Make sure everything you include is relevant to the job description.
For senior grant manager applications, concentrate on your work experience and any accolades or achievements that prove your status as a highly experienced candidate. Use a reverse-chronological resume format with additional sections. Some elements to include in a senior resume for maximum impact might include awards, publications, conference presentations or professional memberships. By adding these sections, it's likely that your resume will be longer than a junior resume.
Your resume layout and structure may differ depending on your experience levels, but make sure your resume includes the following:
Resume Header
Your grant manager resume header is the place to add your contact details. Start by adding your full name and underneath, include your email address, phone number and location. Adding your LinkedIn profile, if you have one, can help the employer get a better insight into your skills and industry expertise. You don't need to include any additional personal information or a photo. Keep your header clear and concise, with only the most necessary information included. Opt for a stylish, professional design that creates a strong first impression.
Make sure your email address appears as professional as possible, and doesn't include anything like nicknames, inappropriate language or personal information. If it does, set up a new email account with an address based on your name or initials, and use that for your job applications. Always double-check your contact details are up-to-date before sending your resume.
Harper Chavez
harper.chavez@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
7 Eccles Street, Dublin, OH
linkedin․com/in/harper–chavez123
Resume Summary
Following your resume header, write a resume summary to introduce yourself and showcase some of your key skills and achievements. Alternative names for this section are 'resume objective' and 'personal profile'. While a resume summary focuses on your career experience, a resume objective covers your ambitions and career plans. However, make sure you keep your resume summary short and snappy, and focused on the skills and experience listed in the job description.
Alternatively, use this summary to introduce your personal career ambitions and explain why grant manager roles are a good fit for you at this stage of your career.
A good resume summary is short and snappy, and focused on the skills and experience listed in the job description, with evidence to back it up. It will also help the reader to form their first impressions of you by providing an insight into your personality and unique qualities. See below for some great examples of how to approach your grant manager resume.
Good example:
Results-driven Grant Manager with an MBA and extensive experience in grants compliance. Proven track record in ensuring adherence to grant regulations, managing funding portfolios, and optimizing grant administration processes. Adept at financial reporting, risk assessment, and stakeholder communication to enhance organizational efficiency and compliance
Bad example:
Grant manager with some experience in managing grants and ensuring rules are followed. Worked with funding and tried to make processes better. Familiar with financial tasks, looking at risks, and talking to people involved to help things run smoothly
Conversely, a bad resume summary might be too generic, lacking focus on the specifics of the job description. It will also fail to provide any useful insights on what makes you a unique candidate. See above for some examples of things to avoid when writing your grant manager resume summary.
Work Experience
Your resume work experience section is the chance to show your relevant previous jobs and career achievements as a grant manager. Add each previous employment in reverse-chronological order. This means starting from your current or most recent role and working back in time from there. Include your job title, the company name, the location of the job and your dates of employment.
Also include some bullet points for each job mentioned, showcasing your achievements so the employer can see the impact you made on the company. Pay attention to the job description and make sure each point is relevant to grant manager roles.
The best resume work experience sections focus only on the most relevant previous jobs, and link each bullet point back to a skill or experience listed in the job description. It's also critical to provide evidence that shows the value you added to each role in a quantifiable way, such as project outcomes, key performance indicators or feedback from customers, colleagues or managers. There are some examples of strong resume work experience sections below.
Good example:
Grants Compliance Specialist, January 2022 - Present
SilverLining Grant Solutions, Tampa
- Successfully managed compliance for $10M federal grant, ensuring adherence to all regulatory requirements and timely reporting
- Implemented automated tracking system, reducing compliance errors by 30% and increasing audit readiness
- Trained 50+ staff on grant compliance protocols, improving overall organizational adherence and reducing funding risks
Bad example:
Grants Compliance Specialist, January 2022 - Present
SilverLining Grant Solutions, Tampa
- Oversaw grant processes to ensure compliance and efficiency
- Improved organizational procedures for better grant management
- Facilitated staff training to enhance compliance awareness
In the graphic above you can see a great example of what to avoid when writing your resume work experience section. A bad resume work experience section might fail to address skills and achievements that relate directly to the job description. Falling back on clichés, vague descriptions and basic responsibilities, rather than showing the impact you made, is likely to disengage the reader.
Education and Qualifications
In your education section, include details of your most relevant grant manager qualifications and educational achievements.
Typically, working as a grant manager requires a university or college degree, which you'll need to list on your resume. If you're working in this sector, it's usually a good idea to highlight your Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree or other relevant qualifications. Focus on qualifications that showcase your grant writing proficiency or budget management expertise.
Include any qualifications relevant to the role. For each, add the name and level of the award, the institution name, its location and your dates of study. You could also add one or two bullet points to draw attention to your grades if they were particularly good, as well as any specialist subjects you studied. This will help the hiring manager understand your knowledge and special skills better.
If you were a member of any clubs or societies, or volunteered for any causes while studying, you could also mention these in your education section.
Master of Business Administration (MBA), 2017 - 2020
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
Skills
The skills section of a grant manager resume is a chance to list any skills you have that match those of the job description. You could include financial reporting accuracy, attention to detail or any other skills that show you're a suitable candidate. Once more, review the job description and pick out any key grant manager skills listed that match yours. Focus on these skills and any other key transferable skills that make you a strong candidate for the job.
How to include hard skills on your grant manager resume
Hard skills are specific skills related to the job you're applying for. They include particular abilities, technical skills and industry knowledge that relate directly to jobs as a grant manager. Furthermore, it's important to show these skills in a grant manager resume as they provide a strong indication of your experience in the sector. Aim to include four or five key hard skills. If you have space, explain how and where you've used that skill to create successful outcomes in your career. These skills will demonstrate your credentials and show how you meet the job description.
If you want to make a strong impression with your hard skills list, focus on hard skills that align with your specific industry expertise, and that reflect the job description. For inspiration on the right type of hard skills for a grant manager resume, see below.
- Grant writing proficiency
- Budget management expertise
- Financial reporting accuracy
Soft skills on your grant manager resume
Your soft skills are the core qualities and personal characteristics that make you a good employee. They tend to apply to multiple professions and jobs, though the soft skills you'll require may change as you move from junior to senior positions. In fact, as technology develops, soft skills are growing in importance for recruiters and employers, so be sure to add several of these to your resume. Think of your best soft skills and add up to five that match the requirements of the job description.
An effective grant manager resume soft skills section should be targeted to include skills that reflect your personality and unique characteristics, while also matching the job description. The graphic below includes some examples of good resume soft skills.
- Effective communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Time management proficiency
Certifications and Training
In this section, include any grant manager certifications, training or licenses you hold that are relevant to the job. These could be professional accreditations and licenses, or certifications that improve your level of suitability for the position. Therefore, list any official licenses and certifications, along with their dates, so employers can assess whether you've got the necessary qualifications to work as a grant manager.
Read on to see some relevant example certifications for a grant manager resume:
- GPC Certification, 2022
- PMP Certification, 2022
- CGMS Certification, 2022
Expert Tip:
Additional Information
In addition to the core sections of a grant manager resume, there are several optional sections you could include to enhance your chances. Choose optional sections from the list below, if they help to showcase your relevant skills and experience.
Hobbies
Adding your hobbies and interests is a legitimate way of showing off your skills and personal qualities. Hobbies can help you show different sides of your personality and make your resume more memorable to hiring managers. They're ideal to include if you're a junior candidate who might lack real world grant manager experience. Think about adding hobbies and interests to your resume if they add some insight into your personality that you can't express elsewhere in your application.
Voluntary Work
This section can be valuable for a grant manager resume, if you've done any voluntary work that showcases your relevant skills. Write your volunteer section in a similar format to your work experience, including your role, the organization name, relevant dates and the details of your contribution.
References
It's not typical to include references in a grant manager resume, but some employers might ask for them. Don't add references unless requested by the employer. Add two or three professional references, and be sure to approach each referee before you include them.
References will be available upon request.
Best words to use in a grant manager resume
Using strong action words to make your resume resonate with the employer. The suggested action verbs below will help the reader to understand your key qualities and the impact you made on the organization.
- Develop
- Manage
- Coordinate
- Oversee
- Implement
- Evaluate
- Collaborate
- Report
- Strategize
- Facilitate
If you want to create a resume that stands out from the crowd, use Jobseeker's expert-designed resume templates. You can also find cover letter templates that work to get you noticed by employers.
Sample grant manager resume
The grant manager resume example below incorporates all the information from above into a full-designed resume template, so you can see how a final resume will look:
7 Eccles Street, Dublin, OH
•
harper.chavez@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/harper–chavez123
Detail-oriented Grant Manager with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and extensive experience as a Grants Administration Specialist. Proficient in managing grant applications, compliance monitoring, and financial reporting. Demonstrated ability to streamline processes, ensure regulatory adherence, and foster strong relationships with stakeholders. Skilled in budget management, data analysis, and project coordination to support organizational goals
Grants Administration Specialist
2020
-2022
GrantGuard Solutions (Norfolk)
- Successfully managed $5M in grant funds, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and timely reporting
- Streamlined grant application process, reducing review time by 30% and increasing applicant satisfaction
- Developed and implemented training programs for grant recipients, enhancing compliance rates by 25%
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
2017
-2020
Rice University (Houston, TX)
Grant writing proficiency
Budget management expertise
Financial reporting accuracy
Effective communication skills
Attention to detail
Time management proficiency
GPC Certification
PMP Certification
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Key tips for a grant manager resume
Advice to help you craft a winning resume
- Use a well-structured resume layout that optimizes headings, structure, margins, fonts and line spacing to make your document as accessible as possible to the reader.
- Action verbs can help show the actions you've taken and the impact you've made in grant manager jobs (e.g. 'collaborate', 'report', 'strategize').
- Adapt your resume depending on the job you're applying for. Take a look at the job description and make sure you reference all the required key skills and experience.
- Keep your grant manager resume as brief as possible. A single page is ideal for junior applicants, while two sides is acceptable for senior jobs.
- Proofread your resume to ensure it's free from spelling and grammar errors. Even minor errors can make a difference to your chances.
Things to avoid on your resume
- Don't forget to keep your contact information up to date, to ensure the employer can contact you if necessary.
- Don't exaggerate, lie or hide details about yourself as these can all undermine your chances of success with grant manager applications.
- Don't include hobbies unless they help you prove a skill or experience that's necessary for the job.
- Don't use elaborate formatting or layouts. These can make your grant manager resume less readable and harder for applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan.
- Don't list personal details such as your age, gender or a photo, unless these are necessary for the role. They can lead to hiring bias.
Making an ATS-friendly resume
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are one of the key ways recruiters and employers manage the hiring process. The systems can screen candidates by scanning and ranking resumes based on each candidate's likely suitability for the vacancy. There are several things you can do when writing your grant manager resume, to give yourself the strongest chance of ranking highly in the ATS stage and progressing through the recruitment process.
Here are a few quick tips for creating an ATS-friendly resume:
- Choose a resume structure that matches the traditional, reverse-chronological layout or alternatively, the functional resume structure. This should make your resume more readable for ATS applications.
- Include keywords throughout your resume that align with the job description. ATS software tends to compare your resume to the job description for points of similarity, so careful, considered use of keywords should help your chances of success.
- Use clear headings that break your resume up into readable, scannable sections that match the standard content employers expect from a resume.
- Utilize a clean, clear resume design that helps make your content more readable. Use simple fonts and subtle color accents and design elements that don't detract from the written content.
- Keep your resume as concise as possible, to make it easier to read, and for ATS software to scan.
For help crafting a winning resume, read our in-depth career blog and review our resume examples for inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions for a grant manager resume
As well as writing a professional grant manager resume, you'll need a cover letter to introduce yourself and emphasize your credentials.
Firstly, think about whether you want to write a full, formal cover letter or whether a brief email to introduce yourself and draw attention to your resume will suffice.
A traditional cover letter should follow formal letter-writing conventions and structure, including a header, the recipient's address and professional greetings and sign-offs. For the main body of the letter, open with a short paragraph introducing yourself and explaining your reasons for applying for the grant manager role. Follow that with an explanation of your skills and experience and how they're relevant to the position. Close by expressing your gratitude and enthusiasm, and leaving a call to action that encourages the employer to open a dialogue with you.
Jobseeker's tried and tested cover letter templates were created by experts to help you make a strong impression with your applications. Follow the simple steps to create a winning cover letter today.
If you have no experience, it's still possible to write a professional grant manager resume that makes a positive impression on hiring managers. Opt for a skill-based resume format instead of a traditional layout. This places your skills and education in a more prominent position on your resume. Utilize additional sections at the end of your resume to show you've got what it takes to do the job. These include hobbies and interests, voluntary roles, certifications and internships.
Use a resume headline to make it easy for the reader to start assessing your suitability for grant manager positions at first glance. Resume headlines are also helpful for the ATS stage of the recruitment process, as they can help you reference the job title and one or two keywords for the role. Take the time to draft a concise, eye-catching headline which includes the job title, one or two key skills and reference to either your experience level or track record.
See an example resume headline below:
- Junior Grant Management Professional
- Expert Grant Management Professional
- Senior Grant Management Specialist
The most suitable resume format for you depends on two crucial factors. Firstly, whether you have a body of relevant work experience. Secondly, the type of job and its seniority level. For roles where you're lacking experience, such as graduate jobs or career changes, you could use a functional or skills-based resume format. This places your skills and education above your work experience. If, however, you have experience in your chosen profession, a traditional, reverse chronological resume format might be the way to go. This showcases your relevant skills and achievements in your work experience section.
Key points for your grant manager resume
The key to a strong resume is to showcase your relevant skills and achievements through your work experience and other activities. Pick a resume format that matches your experience levels, and tailor the content of your resume to reflect the details of the job description.
Using the professional resume templates and resources of Jobseeker can help you create a great-looking resume that stands out from other applicants. Sign up today and follow the simple steps to get started. Jobseeker's expert-designed cover letter generator can help your applications make a strong first impression on hiring managers. Find detailed cover letter examples to complement your resume and get your application noticed.
Sources:
(1) Tips for Writing a Federal Resume, U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/general/jobs/tips-for-writing-a-federal-resume
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
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