CHIEF GRANTS AND CONTRACTS OFFICER (CGCO) ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION Born in 1973 from the hopes and dreams of a teenager, TreePeople is now one of the largest environmental organizations headquartered in Southern California. They have inspired, engaged, and supported more than 3 million people to take action for our environment by planting and caring for trees in forests, mountains, parks, and our neighborhoods. Their unique, engaging, and proven model empowers communities to plant a more resilient future and take personal responsibility for greening their neighborhoods.

Through their on-the-ground research and educational programs, TreePeople shares knowledge with policymakers, students and educators, and communities around the world. As the world faces increasing threats from a more hostile climate, TreePeople helps create actionable solutions. POSITION OVERVIEW The Chief Grants and Contracts Officer (CGCO) serves as the senior organizational authority and expert on contracts and grants management at TreePeople.

The CGCO reports to the CEO and serves as the CEO’s primary advisor on all matters related to contracts and grants compliance and the implementation of the organization’s grants management framework. TreePeople manages an active portfolio of approximately 90 contracts and grants across multiple program departments with a total active funding value exceeding $70 million. The organization is implementing a new contracts and grants management framework that includes this role, department-level Operations Managers, and a formalized pre-award review process.

The CGCO will own and drive this framework and team. This position requires deep expertise in federal and state funding regulations, nonprofit contract compliance, and grants administration.

Requirements

, and the organizational authority to serve as the organization’s primary compliance resource.

, administrative burden, cash flow implications, and organizational risk before any proposal is submitted. Serve as a required input on all go/no-go decisions, working alongside the Strategy and Impact team, Program directors, and Finance to ensure proposals are structured for full cost recovery and compliance before submission.

, reporting obligations, and systems capacity, and flag any opportunity where the burden is disproportionate to the award. Own and maintain the Contract and Grant Proposal Standard Operating Procedure to reflect the CGCO’s role from opportunity identification through closeout. Contract Review and Approval Review and approve all grant and contract agreements before execution, assessing legal terms, compliance obligations, and organizational risk and liability.

, are systematically identified at contract review and assigned to the appropriate staff before grant activation. Serve as the primary contract signatory for routine awards that meet compliance standards with no material flags Bring flagged items to a standing review with the CEO and CFO before execution, with the Senior Director of Programs and relevant department director joining when the award has significant capacity or strategic implications. Engage outside legal counsel for agreements involving unusual liability, indemnification, or complex compliance risk.

Maintain a complete and current organizational system of record for all active contracts and grants.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Pre-Award Review and Go/No-Go Process Lead the pre-award review process for all identified funding opportunities, assessing contract terms, compliance