Director, Grant Strategy

Who We Are

We are Tennis! The USTA (United States Tennis Association) is the national governing body for the sport of tennis and the leader in promoting and developing the sport’s growth on every level in the United States, from local communities to the crown jewel of the professional game, the US Open.

Why Work for the USTA?

We are a passionate team of staff and volunteers focused on growing the sport of tennis and making it accessible to all. We are committed to removing barriers and creating opportunities for ALL to participate. Don’t know tennis? Don't worry, you can still find yourself in the game!

The Role

The Director of Grant Strategy is a strategic leader responsible for strengthening the USTA’s national and section philanthropic impact. Serving as a thought-partner to both the National office and USTA Section grantmaking programs, this role blends consulting expertise with deep knowledge of philanthropic best practices - to promote tennis participation and elevate tennis as a platform for community development, inclusion, health, and youth engagement.

The Director will design, advise, and optimize USTA national grant programs; build philanthropic capacity across 17 USTA Sections; coordinate the USTA’s burgeoning fundraising engine; help design a robust grants management system; and ensure that USTA’s philanthropic dollars drive measurable outcomes. This is a high-visibility role that requires exceptional relationship management, strategic thinking, and an ability to translate philanthropic vision into operational execution.

As member of the Section Development Team, the Director will have a primary orientation to supporting section needs and goals. As member of the Advocacy Team, the Director will align grants and fundraising efforts with advocacy efforts - including empowering tennis ambassadors to promote tennis participation, coaches and courts. 

Grantmaking Strategy & Philanthropy Consulting

• Serve as a primary strategic advisor to National and Section leaders on philanthropic strategy, community impact, and grantmaking best practices.
• Support the alignment of USTA’s national grant programs with Section-level grant programs to ensure consistency, equity, and maximized community impact.
  
• Act as an internal consultant to USTA Sections, helping them design, refine, and implement effective grant programs.
  
• Facilitate cross-Section learning communities focused on fundraising, grants management, and impact measurement.
• Observe trends in USTA philanthropic activity and processes to inform future strategic and operational decisions.

Grants Management & Impact Measurement

• Alongside robust Digital and IT teams, serve as team liaison towards the design and implementation of a grants management module within the broader CRM.
• Collaborate with Business Insights & Analytics team to formalize evaluation framework across philanthropic portfolios, with dashboards for key audiences (e.g., board of directors). 
• Research and stay abreast of the most compelling connections between tennis and social impact (e.g., health, equity, median income, employment, education)
  
• Work closely with marketing and communications to highlight compelling tennis and impact stories.

Fund Development & Relationship Management

• Manage relationship with outsourced grant-sourcing and grant-writing firm, partnering with this firm to coach sections on fundraising strategies.
• Serve as liaison to USTA Foundation fundraising efforts to ensure collaboration and transparency.
• Connect grantmaking strategies to fundraising efforts - to leverage limited dollars and catalyze outside capital to grow the game.

Collaboration & Public Presence

• Develop strong working relationships with various National teams - especially the 10 business units that manage grant programs.
  
• Collaborate with Section Development leaders and Section staff to ensure section applicability and transparency.
• Represent USTA in national tennis forums, section events, and industry associations.

Who You Are

• 8–10 years of experience in philanthropy, community investment, strategic grantmaking, or nonprofit management.
  
• Strong consulting skillset, including facilitation, change management, strategy development, and cross-organizational advising.
  
• Deep understanding of philanthropic best practices, including trust-based philanthropy, equitable grantmaking, and impact measurement.
  
• Demonstrated experience designing or managing grant programs.
  
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
  
• Ability to manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
  
• Ability to build trust quickly with teams across varied geographies and organizational structures.
• This position is designated as "hybrid/flex" in Orlando FL. Any such position must meet the current USTA hybrid/flex requirements as updated from time to time.  

What We Offer

At the USTA, we know people are our most important asset. For this reason, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to meet the needs of a diverse workforce!

• Flexibility: Our Hybrid with Flexibility approach combines a balance of remote working with in-office collaboration to spark teamwork and creativity.
• Comprehensive benefits designed to meet your unique needs: Medical, dental, vision, access to doctors virtually, a flexible spending account to manage your health and dependent care expenses, and life and disability insurance are a small part of our offerings.
• Time to recharge and energize: Generous paid time off policy - including vacation, sick, personal, and paid holidays, parental leave, and a paid winter recess.
• Plan for your future financially and professionally: 401(k) with employer matching (up to 6.5%), promotional and growth opportunities, Learning and Development programs to learn on the job, and up to $5,000 for tuition reimbursement.
• Mental and emotional wellness: Resources for overall well-being including mental health and meditation benefits.
• Other cool perks: A personalized health management program, pet insurance, commuter benefits, identity theft protection, discounts with our network of partners, and fun events are just a few of the optional benefits available.

The expected range for the base salary for this position is $105,000  - 120,000 plus a potential ICP bonus.  This range does not include any additional pay or benefits for which a person may qualify. The actual base salary offered is determined by several variables, including, as appropriate, the applicant's qualifications for the position, the years of relevant experience, their unique skills, and the location from which they will be performing the job.

Come One, Come All

We strongly encourage you to apply if you’re interested; we'd love to learn how you can “serve” our team with your unique experience!

USTA is dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities for all individuals, regardless of age, disability, national origin, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, family status, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.