Manager, Capital Finance & Grants Management

Pay

Salary: $93,953.60 - $110,531.20

Benefits

• Medical, Vision, Dental, Supplemental and Life Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Discounts
• COTA Bus Pass
• Wellness Initiatives
• On‑Site Chair Massage
• On‑Site Health Coach
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Student Loan Repayment Program
• Public Pension through OPERS & Ohio Deferred Compensation

Position Summary

COTA's Manager, Capital Finance & Grants Management is responsible for building and leading the newly established Capital Finance team, including capital program development, planning, funding, governance, oversight, post‑award grants management and administering the Transit Supportive Infrastructure program. This role oversees the full lifecycle of capital funding and provides financial stewardship over the organization’s capital program. It acts as the bridge between long‑term infrastructure goals and complex regulatory requirements, maintaining rigorous compliance with Federal Transit Administration (FTA), state, and local regulations, and aligning funding sources and uses. The position partners with Grants, Capital Projects, Procurement, and Operations to support fiscally sound service delivery and stewardship of public funds, advancing COTA’s Strategic Plan and core values.

Essential Job Functions

• Capital Planning, Grants Administration & Oversight: Develop and maintain the 5‑Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) in coordination with Finance, Engineering, and Operations; manage the capital budget, including cash‑flow forecasting, monitoring spending, identifying variances, and recommending corrective actions; serve as primary finance representative on the Grants Leadership Committee to identify, pursue, and secure federal, state, and local grants (e.g., FTA Sections 5307, 5337, 5339); oversee use of the Transit Award Management System (TrAMS) ensuring grant‑funded activities align with approved scopes, timelines, and compliance requirements; administer the Transit Supportive Infrastructure (TSI) program and act as primary liaison with MORPC.
• Grant Compliance, Accounting & Audit Coordination: Lead preparation and coordination for the FTA Triennial Review and other external audits related to capital and grant funds; ensure compliance with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), grant certifications, assurances, and internal policies; maintain accurate records for asset management, including useful‑life tracking and grant‑funded equipment documentation.
• Financial Reporting & Analysis: Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual capital financial reports for executive leadership and the Board; complete required external reporting, including National Transit Database (NTD) capital submissions and Federal Financial Reports (FFRs); provide quarterly financial updates for the LinkUS initiative in collaboration with External Relations.
• Grants & Capital Project Management: Manage the full lifecycle of federal, state, and local grants, including allowability, cost allocation, indirect cost recovery, drawdowns, and grantor reporting; track and reconcile capital project expenditures (e.g., rolling stock, facilities, IT), oversee capitalization and depreciation, and support project closeout in coordination with Project Managers and Procurement.
• Leadership, Collaboration & Stakeholder Support: Supervise, coach, and develop staff; manage workload planning, performance goals, and professional development; partner with Finance (Budget, Accounting, Procurement, Revenue) and operational divisions to provide financial guidance supporting service reliability and strategic priorities.
• Systems & Process Improvement: Serve as functional lead for ERP modules related to grants, project accounting, fixed assets, and procurement; drive improvements in automation, data integrity, and reporting; develop and maintain standard operating procedures; train staff and cross‑departmental users on financial and grants‑related processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, public administration, or a related field (required); master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in financial and/or grants management, including at least three (3) years in a leadership capacity, preferably within a public transit agency or governmental entity.
• Equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience may be considered.
• Preferred certifications: Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO), or Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM).