Grants Manager
Grants Managers work at the intersection between program and operations which allows the Foundation to have a more centralized, equity-focused, and collaborative approach to implementing grantmaking opportunities and other organizational priorities. The role is key to our organizational focus on operational excellence to cultivate continuous improvement, increase effectiveness, and promote an exceptional and equitable grantee experience. To support our continued growth in this area, we are looking for a forward-thinking professional who is detail oriented, community-centric, and eager to think big about all the ways we can take our grantmaking strategy and processes to the next level to further our mission.
The Grants Manager will work on a team charged with improving grantmaking systems and processes, leveraging data and insight, and building a culture that values the importance of efficient, flexible, and equitable grants management practices.
Success in this position requires a person who leads with a cross-functional and collaborative mindset, a client-service orientation, and a drive toward continuous process improvements with a focus on change management.
Job description:
Manage the operational components of grantmaking while working as part of a larger team.
- Provide leadership grounded in strategic and technical expertise to design and implement operational aspects of grants management reflecting our values and risk profile and ensuring compliance with all relevant policies and regulations and in partnership with staff focused on program strategy.
- Serve as the key point of contact and provide expert consultation on all technical, operational, and administrative grants-related issues and process.
- Plan and execute the operational implementation of requests for services and funding opportunities (i.e., Request for Proposals) and other processes to achieve organizational priorities and promote effectiveness of the team.
- Maintain a good overview of all grantmaking opportunities and other programmatic work to support inclusive practices and optimize the flow of work, resources, and deliverables across program areas.
- Serve as a subject matter expert for the Grant Management System (GMS), manage assigned GMS processes, workflows, reporting, training, and hold responsibility for data integrity to promote organizational learning and accountability.
- Provide coaching and training across the organization to fully utilize digital and other technology tools.
Lead internally and externally to promote equitable and exceptional experience for applicants and grantees.
- Use learning and data-driven practices to ensure the grantmaking practice follows an equity-centric approach and delivers a smooth, unfragmented, and consistent experience for applicants, reviewers, and grantees across all touchpoints and at all stages of their journey.
- Work directly with applicants and grantees to respond to inquiries, provide technical support and efficient problem-solving, and facilitate the grant process in partnership with others on the team.
- Manage, refine, and execute processes related to grantmaking (e.g., responding to unsolicited requests, financial review and other due diligence, language access) as assigned.
- Develop and implement feedback loops and other learning practices to inform the design of new grantmaking opportunities and improvement of the overall experience of applicants and grantees.
- Develop and coordinate grantee learning opportunities (e.g., grantee-focused workshops, convenings, newsletters, and events) as assigned.
Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement within the organization and in the field to enhance grantee experience and increase impact.
- Monitor and assess grants management trends, data, research best practices, and work to ensure the grantmaking processes are streamlined, effective, and strategic.
- Develop and implement analysis protocols for grant and applicant data to generate insights and inform future programmatic and operational strategies based on organizational priorities.
- Collaborate with the team to have systems in place to learn from the work, elevate lessons learned as appropriate, and connect the dots between different evaluation work.
- Build internal buy-in and support for necessary changes to address emerging needs and context to both flexibly design and adapt grantmaking and other support for stronger impact and organizational effectiveness.
- Make contributions to the field and represent the Foundation in the sector by sharing our practices, as appropriate.
Location:
Remote or hybrid with an office in Durham, NC
Compensation:
$95,000-$106,000 annually
Contact:
ffiondella@operationsinc.com