Application Guide
How to Apply for Contract Manager
at Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center (LYRIC)
🏢 About Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center (LYRIC)
LYRIC is a nationally recognized nonprofit that has been empowering LGBTQQ+ youth since 1988, fostering leadership and social change through a holistic approach. Working here means contributing to a mission-driven organization that values community, healing, and long-term stability for a vibrant and resilient population.
About This Role
As the Contract Manager, you will be the backbone of LYRIC's financial compliance, overseeing the full lifecycle of government and institutional grants. Your work ensures that funding is managed responsibly, reports are accurate, and audits are seamless, directly enabling LYRIC's programs to continue serving over 2,000 youth annually.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start by checking emails and reviewing deadlines for upcoming invoices or reports. You'll spend time in QuickBooks Online updating expense allocations, preparing an invoice for a city contract, and collaborating with program managers to ensure staff time is correctly coded. In the afternoon, you might draft a budget modification request or upload documentation to Box for an upcoming monitoring visit, all while staying in communication with funders and internal teams to keep everything on track.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center (LYRIC) Is Looking For
- You have 3+ years in nonprofit finance or contract administration, with specific experience managing city, state, or federal grants (e.g., SAMHSA, HUD, local government).
- You are a QuickBooks Online power user, comfortable with advanced Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs) and Google Workspace, and you can maintain meticulous digital records in Box and other tracking systems.
- You understand nonprofit budgeting, cost allocation, invoice preparation, and audit readiness, and you can communicate these complex concepts clearly to funders and internal teams.
- You are deeply committed to LGBTQ+ youth and social justice, and you thrive in a collaborative, mission-driven environment where your work directly impacts community well-being.
📝 Tips for Applying to Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center (LYRIC)
Tailor your resume to highlight specific government grant experience, including the names of funders (e.g., SF Human Services Agency, California Department of Education) and the size of budgets you've managed.
In your cover letter, explicitly mention your proficiency with QuickBooks Online, Excel, and Box, and give examples of how you've used them to streamline contract administration.
Research LYRIC's programs (e.g., Youth Leadership, Career Development) and mention how your contract management skills will support these specific initiatives.
If you have experience with audit preparation, describe a specific audit you supported and your role in ensuring compliance.
Proofread meticulously—attention to detail is critical for a contract manager. Use a tool like Grammarly and have someone else review your application.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Highlight your experience with government and institutional funders, emphasizing your ability to navigate complex compliance requirements and deadlines.', "Showcase your technical skills (QuickBooks Online, Excel, Box) and how you've used them to improve efficiency or accuracy in previous roles.", "Convey your passion for LYRIC's mission and your understanding of the unique challenges and strengths of LGBTQQ+ youth.", 'Express your collaborative spirit and ability to work with diverse teams, from finance to program staff, to ensure accurate budget allocation.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read LYRIC's website thoroughly, especially their annual reports and program pages, to understand their funding sources and recent achievements.
- → Look up LYRIC on GuideStar or ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer to see their financials and any 990s, which can give insight into their funding landscape.
- → Follow LYRIC on social media (Instagram, LinkedIn) to get a feel for their culture and current initiatives.
- → Search for recent news articles or press releases about LYRIC, particularly any mentions of new grants or programs that might be relevant to contract management.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't submit a generic cover letter—make sure it's clearly for LYRIC and this role, mentioning specific programs or aspects of the job description.
- Avoid overlooking the remote aspect: emphasize your ability to work independently and communicate effectively across digital tools, as remote work requires strong self-management.
- Don't underestimate the importance of soft skills: while technical skills are crucial, LYRIC values community and collaboration, so show that you're a team player and culturally competent.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center (LYRIC)!