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Senior Grants Manager
The application deadline is June 30th. However we encourage you to apply early if interested, as we will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis. Please submit both a resume and cover letter to be considered.
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
The Ford Foundationโs Grants Management department seeks a Senior Grants Manager (SGM) to join their team. This person will be responsible for developing and streamlining the Foundationโs grant processes and procedures, ensuring consistent practices across program areas and regional offices, and advising staff on grantmaking and regulatory compliance requirements. The SGM will play a lead role in the creation and communication of grants management tools and resources to help onboard new staff and to support a culture of learning. In addition, they will represent the Foundation in the philanthropic community and incorporate best practices and trends related to grantmaking to continuously improve the global GM cohortโs knowledge and skills.
Reporting to the Director of Grants Management (GM Director), this person will also serve as the grants manager for a limited portfolio of grants and supervise Grants Manager(s) in New York.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Staff Training
Works closely with the GM Director, Senior GMs, and operations partners to design, implement and communicate grantmaking policies, procedures and systems.
Crafts and maintains clear, accessible and concise training materials for all grant management-related procedures, with an orientation to sector-wide innovations and best practices.
Provides complete grants management training to new GM staff and identifies and implements ongoing training and development opportunities for the global GM cohort.
Partners with People and Culture and the Office of Strategy and Learning on the onboarding and training of program and other grantmaking staff related to grants management.
Supports global GMs in their responsibility to onboard new program staff to grants management on their respective teams.
Provides input on resources for grantees to understand the foundationโs grantmaking policies and practices.
Portfolio and Budget Management
Assists Program Officers (POs) on grantmaking process and efficient and effective grant structuring.
Advises prospective grantees during the grant negotiation process.
Conducts proposal review for accuracy and compliance with Foundation/IRS policies.
Initiates the financial due diligence process on required grantees and provides input to POs for strategic reviews of organizational financial health.
Coordinates legal review of grantee tax status and proposal materials by Grants Compliance staff and works closely with grantees and program staff to respond to issues.
Acts as a key point of contact for grantees around grant-related issues, including but not limited to reviewing and processing budget modifications, extensions and increases/decreases.
Manages and tracks submission of grantee reporting, and conducts initial reviews and analyses of narrative, financial, and other required reports.
Schedules, approves and tracks grant payments working in collaboration with grantees and the Foundationโs banking unit.
Manages and monitors program budgets to ensure funds are accurately appropriated, transferred, and/or shared with other programs as necessary.
Performs additional due diligence as needed to assess and mitigate compliance and reputational risk to the Foundation.
People Management and Development
Ensures team collaboration, team building and team effectiveness, modeling these skills for the team.
Serves as direct manager, mentor and coach to Grants Manager(s).
In collaboration with other Senior GMs and the GM Director, establishes annual performance delivery and professional development goals.
Conducts performance appraisals and ensures regular and ongoing conversation about goals and progress, providing clear and constructive feedback and coaching for success.
Provides direction, sets priorities and communicates critical grantmaking and programmatic information.
Additional Responsibilities
Participates in and contributes to program and GM team meetings, retreats and projects.
Undertakes special projects to further institutional goals and assists in research projects related to the Foundationโs current and historical grantmaking and/or grantmaking trends.
Works with IT staff to pilot and test new technologies and to implement ongoing technology improvements and serves as a key grantmaking team liaison for the Fluxx system.
Serves as a liaison with other operational departments, as needed.
Performs other duties as assigned, including back-up support for fellow GMs, collaborating on workflow issues, administrative tasks and other projects.
QUALIFICATIONS:
A baccalaureate degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
A minimum of six years of progressive grants management experience in a philanthropic organization
Excellent communication, and interpersonal skills and organizational capabilities
Ability to multitask, meet deadlines and work in high pressured environment
Ability to work effectively with program and other Foundation staff, grantees, and internal and external consultants, both in the U.S and overseas
Ability to work independently and analytically, exercising discretion and good judgment
Willingness to handle complex, heavy and detailed-oriented workload and assigned special projects
Strong Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel and Word skills
Ability to adapt to new computerized applications and changes in technology management
Excellent writing, spelling, grammar and mathematical skills
Understanding of and sensitivity to diverse cultural norms and practices
Strong accounting/bookkeeping skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge and understanding of adult learning principles and training techniques
Knowledge of the legal and compliance issues pertaining to a U.S.-based private foundation with domestic and international grantmaking
Familiarity with grants management software and related systems, preferably Fluxx
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
This position is primarily a sedentary role. However, the person in this position may need to occasionally move about inside the office to liaise with internal staff, access files, office machinery and a copy machine/printer.
The Ford Foundation is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its programs, and operations. As part of this commitment, the Foundation will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact, PeopleandCulture@fordfoundation.org or call (212) 573-4627.
LOCATION:
This position is based in the foundationโs New York office. We operate in a hybrid model and require staff to be in the office three days per week.
SALARY:
The Ford Foundation is committed to practicing salary transparency. The minimum salary for this position is $133,000 and the maximum is $155,000.
#LI-Hybrid
Alignment to Culture and Values
Commitment to the Foundationโs mission and core values of equity, openness, collaboration, trust, accountability and urgency
Personal qualities of humility, capacity for self-reflection, and a sense of humor
Discretion and ability to handle confidential issues
Action-orientated and entrepreneurial self-starter who can work well independently and in teams
Benefits
Hybrid Workplace and Flexible Work Arrangement policies
Medical and dental benefits for employee and immediate family on first day of work
Retirement savings account with matching company contributions of up to 13%
Three weeksโ paid vacation in first year of work; four weeks in subsequent years
Tuition Reimbursement
Office closed the week between Christmas and New Yearโs Day
Professional development initiatives for growth
Generous parental leave (maternal and paternal) during new childโs first year (born into family or adopted)
Equal employment opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles at The Ford Foundation, where employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law. The Ford Foundation does not discriminate against formerly incarcerated individuals.