This position is based on Stanford’s main campus with consideration given to the option for a hybrid work schedule (partially onsite and offsite), subject to operational need. Interested candidates must include a resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment VISA.
About Us
The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability (SDSS) strives to create a future when humans and nature thrive in concert and in perpetuity. The school is made up of a three-part structure to drive global impact: Our academic departments and programs educate students and create new knowledge across areas of research that are crucial for advancing the long-term prosperity of the planet and people; Institutes bridge scholarship at Stanford and beyond, bringing multiple viewpoints to bear on urgent challenges; The Sustainability Accelerator drives new policy and technology solutions through a worldwide network of partners who work with our teams to develop solutions at a global scale. The school is dedicated to creating and supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, and to creating solutions that benefit all people, particularly those most affected by environmental damage and climate change.
For more information on the school, click here.
About this role
The Education and Integrative Initiatives (EII) unit within the SDSS Dean’s Office aims to build a thriving community harmonized on understanding (life on) Earth and meeting the sustainability challenges of the 21st century. We do this through incubating and implementing new strategic programs in partnership with units across SDSS.
The Program Manager will work with the Solution Area faculty co-chairs and research staff to develop systems and criteria for new grant making, and will manage the full life cycle of internal grant making for the Solution Areas related to the new sustainable societies initiative. The Program Manager will also support new program development for the Sustainable Societies initiative. The grants officer will report to the Assistant Dean for Education and Integration Strategy and work within the vision of the Senior Associate Dean for Integrative Initiatives and Sustainable Societies co-directors.
Your Responsibilities will include:
- Develop and manage grant programs including outreach to various stakeholders, assigning resources and making program improvement recommendations that impact policies and practices.
- Collaborate with faculty co-chairs and research staff to establish clear criteria and guidelines for new grant proposals within the Sustainable Societies initiative. Develop and manage Request for Proposals in alignment with program priorities and in partnership with faculty and staff leadership.
- Create and manage systems for proposal advertisement, intake, review and award making.
- Facilitate award process, including knowledge of Stanford standard practices. Oversee and facilitate the entire grant lifecycle, including solicitation, review, approval, disbursement, and monitoring of grant-funded projects. Ensure compliance with institutional policies and procedures throughout the grant-making process.
- Define and establish performance metrics for each grant program.
- Serve as point of contact for each grant program, managing periodic reporting, technical assistance for faculty and project teams, change requests, and grant closeout.
- Create and source professional development opportunities for project teams to learn partner-engagement best practices. Organize workshops, seminars, and information sessions.
- Oversee grant budgets, reporting, change requests, and grant closeout.
- Source, collect and analyze data, create reports, review and explain trends; formulate and evaluate alternative solutions and/or recommendations to achieve the goals of the program or function.
- Establish and sustain relationships with grant making community within SDSS and Stanford (Dean of Research, Stanford Impact Labs, etc).
To be successful in this position, you will need:
- Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience or combination of education, training, and relevant experience.
- Ability to develop program partnerships and funding sources.
- Excellent oral, written, and analytical skills, exhibiting fluency in an area of specialization.
- Ability to oversee and direct staff.
- Basic knowledge of managing budgets and developing financial plans.
In addition, our preferred requirements include:
- 3+ years of full-time work experience in grant making or program management in academia, philanthropy, government, consulting, nonprofit and/or related fields.
- Demonstrated ability to establish priorities, manage shifting priorities, and handle numerous time-sensitive projects with multiple deadlines.
- Ability to accomplish goals working through formal and informal channels, with diplomacy and tactfulness.
- Demonstrated creativity, problem solving, critical analysis, initiative, judgment and decision-making skills.
- Demonstrated experience working independently and as part of a team.
- Demonstrated ability to build and sustain productive working relationships with faculty in a University setting.
- Knowledge of and experience with project management techniques and tools.
- Experience with tools for managing and organizing data sets.
- Familiarity with strategic planning approaches and ability to connect research objectives with measurable outcomes.
- Professional or academic experience in research-practice partnerships.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate with a diverse set of actors within and outside the organization, including academia, nonprofits, private and public sectors.
- Proactive communicator with excellent written, visual, and oral communication skills.
- Flexible, open-minded, and collaborative mindset with ability to navigate an ambiguous environment.
- Professional or academic experience in sustainability-related fields.
* - The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.
How to Apply
We invite you to apply for this position by clicking on the “Apply for Job” button.
