Educational Funding Strategist at PBK Architects – Rancho Cucamonga, California

The Education Funding Strategist serves as a strategic resource to support clients and internal teams across California in identifying, securing, and optimizing funding for education-related projects and initiatives. This role requires deep knowledge of public and private funding sources, strong analytical capability, and the ability to translate complex funding requirements into actionable strategies.

The Education Funding Strategist will collaborate closely with leadership, project teams, and clients to align funding opportunities with organizational goals and project delivery.

Your Impact:

Strategic:

• Identify and track federal, state, and local funding opportunities (e.g., bonds, levies, grants, ESSER, capital funding, etc.).
• Advise internal teams and clients on long-term funding strategies aligned with educational and facilities planning goals.
• Contribute to regional or firmwide strategy related to education funding and capital planning.
• Leverage funding strategy and early engagement to position the firm for downstream project opportunities and long-term client partnerships.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to district and institutional clients, leading funding strategy conversations at the executive level.

Operational:

• Lead the development of funding strategies and plans for school districts, higher education institutions, and other education clients.
• Lead and oversee preparation of funding applications, grant submissions, and supporting documentation.
• Maintain organized tracking systems for funding opportunities, deadlines, and compliance requirements.
• Serve as the firm’s subject matter expert on California education funding programs, including a comprehensive understanding of the State Allocation Board (SAB), Office of Public School Construction (OPSC), and California Department of Education (CDE) processes.
• Lead efforts to establish project eligibility for state funding, including new construction, modernization, and hardship funding programs.
• Guide internal teams and district partners through all phases of the state funding lifecycle—from eligibility determination and application strategy through submission, approval, and fund release.
• Prepare, coordinate, and oversee submission of required documentation for OPSC and CDE approvals, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements and timelines.
• Advise clients on optimizing state grant funding opportunities, including alignment with bond programs, local match requirements, and long-term capital planning strategies.
• Monitor changes in California funding legislation, policies, and program requirements, proactively advising teams and clients on impacts and opportunities.
• Collaborate with Client Executives, Project Managers, and district stakeholders to embed funding strategy into master planning, programming, and project delivery.

Marketing / Business Development:

• Partner with Marketing & BD to position the firm as a trusted advisor in education funding strategy.
• Support proposals and client presentations with funding insights and data.
• Build relationships with school districts, agencies, and funding bodies to expand opportunities.

Management / Leadership:

• Serve as a subject matter expert and internal resource for funding-related questions.
• Educate and support staff on funding mechanisms and implications for project delivery.
• Collaborate across teams to integrate funding strategy into master planning, programming, and project delivery.
• Drive measurable funding outcomes, including total dollars secured, success rates, and alignment with project conversion to design and delivery work.
• Contribute to firm revenue growth by aligning funding strategies with project capture, conversion, and long-term client continuity.

Here's What You'll Need:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Finance, Education, Urban Planning, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5+ years of experience in education funding, grants management, public finance, or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of K-12 and/or higher education funding structures.
• Deep expertise in California school facility funding programs, including OPSC processes, CDE approvals, SAB actions, and state grant funding mechanisms.
• Proven experience successfully securing state funding for K-12 projects in California, including eligibility determination and application management.
• Experience with bond programs, grants, capital funding, or public-sector budgeting processes.
• Exceptional analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to translate complex funding requirements into clear guidance for clients and internal teams.
• Strong presentation and relationship-building skills.

Here's How You'll Stand Out:

• Master’s degree in Public Administration, Finance, Education, Urban Planning, or a related field.

The actual offered base salary for California locations will vary depending on factors such as individual qualifications, education, experience, skills, job-related knowledge, work location, and internal equity. We would not anticipate that the individual hired into this role will be at or near the top half of the range provided, but the decision will be dependent on the factors of each individual case. The compensation package may also include incentive compensation in the form of discretionary bonuses in addition to base salary and a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits. The salary range for this position is below.

PBK is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants can be considered for an opportunity without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, criminal history, or any other characteristic protected by law. Additionally, it is our policy to provide equal employment opportunity in all phases of employment in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.

At PBK, the most accomplished and passionate architects, engineers, and thought leaders are working together to shape the future. We encourage our team to adopt an entrepreneurial approach to professional growth; there are no limits to what one can do or become at PBK. Our culture empowers our people to explore their interests, try new things, and create their own path to success – however they may define it.

We recognize the value of work-life balance and believe in rewarding our employees’ hard work. We offer alternative work scheduling to allow employees greater flexibility, monthly happy hours and regular team outings, additional time off between Christmas and New Year’s, an Employee Assistance Program that supports each individual’s needs, and so much more!

• Additional PTO between Christmas and New Years
• Your birthday off
• Community involvement through recreation & service
• Hybrid schedule & remote work options
• Flexible "dress for your day" policy
• Paid parental leave for birth or adoption
• Firm covers employee healthcare premiums
• 401(k) program
• Costco / Sam's Club membership
• $4,000 license bonus
• Dynamic company with quick advancement
• Online professional licensure exam prep library
• Opportunities to work on a variety of project types
• Weekly continuing education lunch & learn sessions