Senior Grants Manager

Paul M. Angell Family Foundation • Full-time • Chicago, Illinois • 2w ago

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Senior Manager of Grants will play a key role in the design, implementation, and management of the Paul M. Family Foundation's grantmaking policies, processes, and systems. This position ensures the efficient and effective management of the full grant lifecycle—from application processing and data management to reporting and stakeholder communication. The Senior Grants Manager will also lead strategic initiatives aimed at innovating and improving the foundation's grantmaking practices, directly contributing to the foundation's long-term impact and goals.

The ideal candidate is excited about joining a growing foundation and will bring a passion for advancing the foundation's mission while upholding its core values. They will demonstrate the foundation's commitment to Excellence, Respect, Humility, Authenticity, and Collaboration in all aspects of their work.

Reporting to the Director of Operations, the Senior Grants Manager will supervise the Grants Manager, ensuring the smooth execution of day-to-day grant activities. This position requires close collaboration with the leadership team and staff across the foundation to ensure alignment with organizational priorities and the strategic, effective management of grants. They will demonstrate the foundation’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in all its policies and practices and will value being part of a human-centered culture.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Grants Management Systems (GMS) & Data Integrity

Lead the design and implementation of policies, processes, and systems for grants data management, due diligence, best practices, and database integrity.

Oversee the processing of grant applications and data through the foundation’s grants management system (Foundant), ensuring accuracy and adherence to tracking requirements for multiyear payments, contingencies, and reporting.

Serve as the primary point of contact for the GMS system and policies, ensuring the team is trained and utilizing the system and processes effectively and staying updated on software enhancements and best practices.

Supervise the development of grant applications, forms, and reports, ensuring the integrity of data and the accuracy of grant-making history.

Collaborate with the Grants Manager and staff to track, close, and maintain accurate grant files, including verifying applicants’ tax status and ensuring data integrity in the system.

Coordinate with the Grants Manager to correspond with applicants and grantees regarding the status of proposals, funding decisions, and other updates.

Engage closely with the Grants Manager to respond to inquiries, provide technical assistance, and update applicant and grantee contact information as necessary.

Grant Analysis, Reporting & Forecasting

Collaborate with program officers and directors to customize dashboards and generate grant analyses, statistics, and reports for internal use and the Board of Directors.

Manage the creation of the Recommended Grants Summary (RGS) and annual grantmaking forecasts for three (and growing) portfolios, ensuring accuracy and alignment with the foundation’s strategic priorities.

Analyze, visualize, and interpret grant data, prepare reports for Board and committee meetings and provide strategic insights into grantmaking trends and impact.

Lead the preparation and presentation of strategic reports for Board of Directors and committee meetings, clearly articulating data and recommendations.

Strategy, Innovation & Continuous Improvement

Drive strategic grantmaking initiatives that align with the foundation’s mission, goals, and evolving priorities. Identify emerging trends and opportunities to optimize the foundation’s impact through innovative grant strategies.

Innovate grantmaking processes to improve efficiency, enhance the user experience, and integrate best practices in data management. Propose and implement new tools, technologies, and approaches to elevate the grantmaking process.

Champion a culture of continuous improvement within the grants team, working closely across programs, proactively identifying areas for enhancement, soliciting feedback, and implementing changes to improve productivity and effectiveness.

Benchmark best practices in philanthropy and beyond, recommending new approaches, tools, or models that enhance the foundation’s grantmaking operations.

Participate in educational opportunities and professional networks, such as PEAK Grantmaking, to stay informed of industry trends, best practices, and innovations in the grants management field.

Leadership and Compliance in Grantmaking Operations

Collaborate with the Director of Operations to implement policies, processes, and systems related to grants information and data management, due diligence, and database coding, ensuring quality control and compliance.

Monitor adherence to established policies and procedures across all stages of the grantmaking process, ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards.

Supervise and provide leadership to the Grants Manager, ensuring effective workflow, professional development, and that departmental goals are met.

Develop and deliver staff training on grants management systems and processes to ensure team members are equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary for success.

Actively participate and provide leadership in required staff and Board meetings, partnering with colleagues on agenda items and materials related to grants management and strategy.

Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information, ensuring that all data related to applicants, grantees, and internal processes are handled with discretion and in accordance with the foundation’s confidentiality policies.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum of 8 years of data management experience in nonprofits or a foundation: entering, monitoring, and manipulating data for evaluation and analysis

Proficiency experience with popular Grant Management Systems such as Foundant, Fluxx, Submittable, Blackbaud, or other similar platforms to streamline the grant application, evaluation, and reporting process.

Demonstrated ability to independently plan and execute work, taking ownership of tasks with minimal supervision

Previous experience preparing reports and presenting to a board of directors is preferred

COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

Excellent analytical skills with the ability to assess, synthesize, and summarize complex information and identify actionable solutions.

Proven project management experience, consistently meeting deadlines and delivering results.

Skilled at balancing strategic vision with the detailed work required for successful execution.

Experience collaborating effectively with diverse teams, personalities, and viewpoints.

Strong software skills (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)

Clear and effective communicator with active listening skills, the ability to ask insightful questions, and openness to learning.

Ability to incorporate lessons learned into revised strategies, processes, and policies, fostering continuous improvement and adaptability.

Strong attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and high-quality work.

Proven experience in building and leading high-performing teams, fostering an environment of trust, collaboration, and continuous growth, and providing ongoing support for team members' professional development.

Aware of and actively addresses personal privileges, biases, and cultural preferences in professional settings.

Comfortable working both independently and as part of a rapidly growing team, maintaining an optimistic and proactive work ethic.

Comfortable with ambiguity and excels at taking initiative.

Maintains a high level of confidentiality in all matters related to the foundation and its stakeholders.

Demonstrates the values of the Foundation, including Excellence, Respect, Humility, Authenticity, and Collaboration

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The position is a salaried, exempt, full-time position with a salary range of $130,000 to $160,000 annually, depending on professional and lived experience.

Additionally, the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation offers a highly competitive comprehensive benefits package including:

Healthcare: 100% paid Platinum PPO health insurance premium for employees 80% for dependents or family.

Dental and Vision: 100% paid premium for employees, dependents, and family.

403b retirement savings plan employer contributions match: After three months of employment, the Foundation will contribute up to 9% of the employee’s salary—5% will be an outright contribution, and the Foundation will match up to 4% of the employee’s contribution to the plan.

In addition to vacation, holidays, wellness, and sick days, the PMAFF offices are closed from December 26th through New Year’s Day annually and employees’ salaries are paid during this closure.

Twelve weeks of paid parental leave for a birth parent, non-birth parent, or adoption.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Currently, the position will function within a hybrid working environment with alternating remote and three on-site workdays and may have in-person obligations that grow over time.

Occasional evening and weekend work is rarely required.

Occasional out-of-town travel is required.

Must have reliable transportation for work-related duties.

The Foundation maintains a smoke-free and drug-free work environment in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

While employed in this position, the employee may be required to perform other assignments not listed in this job description.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear and use hands to operate equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, scanners, and filing cabinets. Reasonable accommodation will enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

This position is at-will, meaning either party may terminate the employment relationship at any time with written notice. Nothing in this job description is to be construed as creating a contract for employment for a specific duration.

OUR DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY CORE VALUE

Paul M. Angell Family Foundation is committed to equal employment opportunity and to compliance with applicable local, state, and federal antidiscrimination laws which prohibit discrimination and harassment against any employees or applicants for employment based on their actual or perceived race, color, religion, age, ancestry, marital status, protective order status, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, work authorization status, pregnancy and the potential or intention to become pregnant, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, status as a victim of domestic, sexual, gender or criminal violence, certain arrest or criminal history records, lack of a permanent mailing address or a mailing address that is a shelter or social services provider, and use of lawful products outside of work during non-working hours. We will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon these characteristics or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.