POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Grants & Legal Affairs is a senior dual-focus role responsible for securing and managing technical grant funding across the full grant lifecycle while also serving as the organization's primary compliance and legal affairs officer. This position ensures that grant-funded projects are documented, reported, and closed out in full compliance with federal, state, and local requirements, and that NMHFH's contractual and transactional documents are sound, consistent, and protective of organizational interests. The Director reports directly to the Executive Director and serves as an organizational resource on compliance and contract matters across all departments — operating in close coordination with outside legal counsel as appropriate.

This is a full-time position requiring flexibility to work occasional evening and weekend hours as needed to meet deadlines, attend special meetings, and support events.

COMPENSATION:

We believe in fair, market-informed compensation that recognizes the skills, experience, and contributions each team member brings to our mission. In addition to wages, we value the full employee experience, including benefits and a positive work environment. The posted pay range reflects the anticipated starting range for this position and may be adjusted based on the selected candidate’s experience, qualifications, and internal equity considerations. The top of the range is not intended to represent the maximum amount this position could earn over time.

BENEFITS:

We care deeply about supporting the people who help carry out our mission, and we are pleased to offer a benefits package designed to support the well-being of our team members. Full-time employees receive fully funded health insurance, with a cost-sharing option for covered dependents, as well as dental and vision insurance at a shared cost. Part-time employees have access to health insurance for themselves and covered dependents at a shared cost. In addition, full-time employees receive $50,000 of fully funded life insurance, and we also offer a Simple IRA retirement plan with a 3% company match for all employees to help support long-term financial security.

DESIRED PERSONAL TRAITS:

Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail
Skilled at managing multiple complex workstreams simultaneously
Dependable, self-motivated, and committed to professional growth
Comfortable navigating legal and regulatory language across a variety of document types
Passionate about solving housing insecurity and working in the nonprofit sector
Collaborative communicator who can translate technical requirements for non-specialist staff

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Grant Prospecting & Application

Researches and identifies available funding opportunities for organizational programs and projects, with particular focus on state housing programs (MSHDA, FHLB, CDBG, HOME) and federal construction-related grants.
Maintains an organized database of funding opportunities and application timelines.
Prepares and writes high-quality technical grant applications for housing and construction-related funding.
Gathers all supporting documentation and application materials, including letters of support, legal documents, project data, timelines, and detailed budgets.
Writes clear and compelling grant narratives that communicate project goals, community impact, and alignment with funder priorities.
Coordinates with construction, repair, and finance staff to gather necessary information for grant applications.
Ensures grant applications meet all technical requirements and submission deadlines.

Grant Compliance Management

Creates and maintains an organized system to track reporting deadlines, goal achievement metrics, and compliance milestones across multiple active grants.
Ensures all construction and repair projects comply with specific grant requirements, including prevailing wage, procurement standards, and reporting timelines.
Develops and maintains compliance checklists, procedures, and internal training materials for staff.
Stays current on federal, state, and local grant regulations; serves as the primary internal resource on compliance questions.
Conducts regular compliance reviews and audits of grant-funded activities; identifies and addresses concerns proactively.
Builds and maintains quality relationships with funding agencies.

Legal Instruments Review & Transaction Support

Reviews land acquisition agreements, purchase and sale agreements, easements, and right-of-way documents for organizational interests and grant compliance implications, coordinating with outside legal counsel as appropriate.
Reviews construction contracts, subcontractor agreements, and vendor agreements to ensure compliance with grant-specific procurement, prevailing wage, and performance requirements.
Reviews home sale closing documents and related instruments to confirm accuracy, organizational protection, and funder requirement compliance.
Flags contractual or transactional risks to the Executive Director and senior leadership in a timely and clearly communicated manner.
Maintains organized records of executed legal instruments and tracks expiration dates, renewal requirements, and contingencies.
Assists in the preparation of grant-required legal documentation, including regulatory agreements, deed restrictions, and affordability covenants.

Documentation & Record-Keeping

Maintains accurate and comprehensive records of contractor payments, labor compliance, procurement documentation, and legal instruments as required by funding sources.
Tracks and documents grant-specific milestones, including start dates, completion dates, and progress benchmarks.
Maintains organized physical and digital filing systems for grant compliance records and executed contracts.
Ensures documentation is audit-ready at all times; manages retention in accordance with grant and legal requirements.

Reporting & Communication

Prepares and submits required compliance reports to funders on schedule in coordination with Finance, Construction, and Programs departments.
Works closely with finance staff to ensure proper tracking and reporting of grant-funded expenditures.
Communicates grant requirements and contractual obligations clearly to project managers.
Responds to funder inquiries and prepares materials for grant monitoring visits and audits.
May present data to staff leadership and the Board regarding prospective funding, grant spend-down, and compliance status.

Cross-Departmental Coordination

Works collaboratively with construction, repair, and finance staff to ensure compliance and document integrity across all active projects.
Provides guidance to staff on grant compliance requirements and contract obligations.
Coordinates with construction department leadership on compliance systems, policies, and development project timelines.
Participates in grant planning and project initiation meetings to ensure compliance considerations are addressed from the outset.

Grant Closeout

Manages the grant closeout process for completed projects, ensuring all final requirements are met.
Prepares and submits final grant reports, financial documentation, and project outcomes.
Coordinates with finance staff to reconcile grant expenditures and resolve final compliance issues.
Ensures all closeout documentation is properly archived for audit and organizational records.
Tracks closeout deadlines and ensures timely completion of all final deliverables.

Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Legal training or equivalent professional experience in contract review, regulatory compliance, or real estate transactions is preferred; a Juris Doctor (J.D.) in a related field is a plus. Candidates with a paralegal background, substantial grants compliance experience, or a combination of relevant education and work experience are encouraged to apply.
Minimum four years' experience in grant writing, grant management, or regulatory compliance, with a demonstrated record of successfully obtaining and managing funding.
Experience reviewing legal instruments, real estate documents, or contracts in a related field — such as nonprofit, government, housing, land use, conservation, or community development — strongly preferred.
Familiarity with state and federal housing grant programs preferred (MSHDA, FHLB, CDBG, HOME, New Markets Tax Credits, Brownfield, Land Bank, etc.).
Experience managing complex, multi-year grants; experience securing seven-figure grants preferred.
Strong written communication skills, including the ability to draft clear summaries of legal and compliance risks for non-specialist audiences.
Highly proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and capable of learning new document management and grant tracking systems.
Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and able to manage competing deadlines across multiple projects.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Willingness to work outside of standard office hours as needed on a regular basis.
Willingness to travel in-state and out of state for appropriate trainings and conferences.
Comfortable with regular use of computers, software, and office equipment: Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe, internet, printer/scanner, email, and web-based calendars, and the ability to learn new programs as needed.
Must pass a Criminal Background Check (convictions will be reviewed based on the seriousness of the crime, and a conviction does not necessarily mean disqualification).
Must pass a Sexual Offender Check. Being listed will result in automatic disqualification from employment.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position does not oversee any staff. This position reports directly to the Executive Director and is administratively housed within the Administrative department.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This job operates primarily in an office setting. While performing the duties of this job, the employee primarily performs desk work that requires sitting or standing for extended periods. The position will also include light physical tasks, such as handling office supplies, files, and office equipment weighing less than 40 pounds. All staff must perform cleaning and organizing activities that support the organization's overall operations.

NOTE:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position. All employees may be assigned other duties at any time.

We are an equal opportunity employer. Applications are considered for positions without regard to veteran status, uniformed service member status, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Updated June 2026

Northwest MI Habitat For Humanity

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Director of Grants and Legal Affairs