Manager, Grantmaking Operations

NewSchools Venture Fund

6d•$110,000 - $130,000•Remote

About The Position

Nationally recognized nonprofit venture philanthropy seeks to hire a manager to provide strategic and operational capacity across teams to lead grantmaking. ORGANIZATION NewSchools is a venture philanthropy that builds a better education system by connecting people, resources, and ideas. We bridge the gap between those with capital and those with the courage to put that capital to work on the frontlines of K-12 education. We envision an education system that keeps its promise to all students. That’s why we invest in the ideas and energy of education leaders and entrepreneurs who are advancing innovative solutions that expand the definition of what works. There’s a better way to advance education through philanthropy—one that is more equitable, more collaborative, and more courageous–and we’re proving it every day. RESPONSIBILITIES We seek a Manager to join a fun, passionate, and deeply collaborative group of people focused on strengthening and standardizing NewSchools’ grantmaking practices. In this role, you will lead the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of NewSchools’ end-to-end grantmaking process—ensuring it is inclusive, efficient, compliant, and well-coordinated across investment and shared services teams, and external partners. Reporting to Jessica Henry, Senior Director of Operations, with dotted line reporting to Natalie Wilson, Senior Partner, you will lead end-to-end grantmaking operations and serve as the connective tissue between NewSchools’ investment strategy and execution. This role is remote anywhere in the U.S. Travel of up to 10% is required for in-person team meetings, retreats, and conferences. In this role, you will: Lead cross-functional collaboration and team enablement Manage and coordinate NewSchools’ full application and grantmaking cycle, including designing and managing clear workplans, timelines, decision points, and milestones to ensure a coherent, effective, and efficient funding process Effectively convene and lead a cross-functional working group across Investment Teams, Operations, Finance, and Communications Facilitate regular check-ins and reflection points to surface risks and resolve challenges throughout the funding process Lead continuous improvement of grantmaking operations through after-action reviews, data-informed decision-making, and thoughtful change management that supports teams through evolving processes Ensure our grantmaking cycle and processes reflect our core values and priorities. Design and deliver a strategy-aligned, high-quality applicant and grantee experience Partner closely with investment team members and key stakeholders to design and launch a strategy-aligned application that surfaces high-quality ideas Collaborate with key team members to develop, test, and launch applications within Salesforce, ensuring functionality, clarity, and data integrity Lead the development of clear application guidance, selection criteria, and internal decision supports to enable consistent, rigorous, and quality review and selection of ideas Design and manage a transparent, fair and efficient applicant experience, including the development of support materials, communications, FAQs, webinars, and office hours in partnership with Communications team Serve as a responsive, trusted resource for applicants and grantees, providing hands-on support throughout the application and award process, including technical troubleshooting and clear guidance Enable clean grantmaking execution, compliance, and trustworthy Data Serve as the process owner for grantmaking operations, strengthening systems, workflows, and feedback loops to improve effectiveness, efficiency, and user experience over time Partner with investment teams to translate grant objectives, conditions, and milestones into clear, accurate, and compliant grant agreements, exercising strong judgment Ensure grants are executed efficiently and in alignment with financial, legal, and board requirements, balancing rigor with efficiency and strong attention to detail Act as a steward of high-quality grant data in Salesforce, holding a high bar for accuracy, completeness, and consistency while supporting teams to meet that bar Contribute to timely, reliable reporting and data readiness that enables sound decision-making, accountability, and organizational learning Develop strong training and capacity building materials to ensure the accurate completion of grantmaking operations across staff.

Requirements

Minimum of 5 years of experience in grant operations, project management, and/or leading cross-functional collaboration
Proficiency in Salesforce (preferred) or CRM grantmaking system (required)
Proficiency in Google Sheets and/or Excel (required)
Strong grantmaking and operational fluency, including application design, grant execution, and payment workflows
Proven ability to lead cross-functional work and influence without authority across investment, operations, finance, and communications teams
Excellent project and process management skills, with the ability to manage complex timelines and deliver high-quality execution
High personal accountability for data quality and detail. Proficiency in data analysis, visualization, and reporting in systems
Continuous improvement mindset, using data, reflection, and after-action reviews to improve practice and support change
User-centered and equity-minded, with a strong customer-service orientation toward applicants, grantees, and internal partners
Organized, proactive, and adaptable, with comfort navigating ambiguity in a collaborative, remote environment

Responsibilities

Manage and coordinate NewSchools’ full application and grantmaking cycle, including designing and managing clear workplans, timelines, decision points, and milestones to ensure a coherent, effective, and efficient funding process
Effectively convene and lead a cross-functional working group across Investment Teams, Operations, Finance, and Communications
Facilitate regular check-ins and reflection points to surface risks and resolve challenges throughout the funding process
Lead continuous improvement of grantmaking operations through after-action reviews, data-informed decision-making, and thoughtful change management that supports teams through evolving processes
Ensure our grantmaking cycle and processes reflect our core values and priorities.
Partner closely with investment team members and key stakeholders to design and launch a strategy-aligned application that surfaces high-quality ideas
Collaborate with key team members to develop, test, and launch applications within Salesforce, ensuring functionality, clarity, and data integrity
Lead the development of clear application guidance, selection criteria, and internal decision supports to enable consistent, rigorous, and quality review and selection of ideas
Design and manage a transparent, fair and efficient applicant experience, including the development of support materials, communications, FAQs, webinars, and office hours in partnership with Communications team
Serve as a responsive, trusted resource for applicants and grantees, providing hands-on support throughout the application and award process, including technical troubleshooting and clear guidance
Serve as the process owner for grantmaking operations, strengthening systems, workflows, and feedback loops to improve effectiveness, efficiency, and user experience over time
Partner with investment teams to translate grant objectives, conditions, and milestones into clear, accurate, and compliant grant agreements, exercising strong judgment
Ensure grants are executed efficiently and in alignment with financial, legal, and board requirements, balancing rigor with efficiency and strong attention to detail
Act as a steward of high-quality grant data in Salesforce, holding a high bar for accuracy, completeness, and consistency while supporting teams to meet that bar
Contribute to timely, reliable reporting and data readiness that enables sound decision-making, accountability, and organizational learning
Develop strong training and capacity building materials to ensure the accurate completion of grantmaking operations across staff.