Grants Manager

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION

The Powell Foundation is a private, family foundation that strives to be a catalyst for impactful initiatives that enhance the quality of life in the communities it serves. The Foundation prioritizes funding organizations that serve residents in Harris, Travis, and Walker Counties, principally in the fields of public education, the arts, conservation, and human services.  A primary focus of the Foundation is ensuring that all children have access to a robust, first-class public education and the support needed to develop to their full potential. The Foundation is incorporated in Texas and governed by a board of eleven directors comprised of two generations of the Powell family and three independent directors. It is served by a small staff located in Houston. 

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Powell Foundation seeks a mission-driven and process-oriented Grants Manager to streamline and support our $20M annual grantmaking process. As the backbone of our grant operations, you will ensure seamless grant cycles, efficient administration, and accurate reporting. Your organizational expertise will empower our team to improve efficiency, increase our ability to glean insights, and maximize the resources we can direct to fund impactful programs in our community. The Grants Manager will be an eager learner, detail-oriented, enjoy project management, and thrive in creating systems and analytical tools.  The position reports to the Director of Learning and Evaluation.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The Grant Manager role includes the following: 

Grants Administration & Operations

• Serve as the administrator for the Foundation’s grant management system, tracking programmatic activity, maintaining accurate and timely records, and ensuring effective and efficient processes throughout all stages of the grant cycle
• Build strong reliable systems and workflows to drive effective grantmaking operations; consider end-users when identifying ways to adjust and improve processes
• Ensure the Foundation’s grantmaking adheres to recommended and required practices, including reconciling grant data on a monthly basis and verifying grantees meet all Foundation and legal requirements
• Provide technical assistance to grantees related to the online application and reporting processes; lead the work necessary to ensure grantees submit required documents accurately and that all grants are paid in a timely fashion 

System Administration & Data Analysis

• Manage the Salesforce platform through daily ongoing support, configuration, and project work; train stakeholders on Salesforce and third-party application usage
• Support the development of dashboards and metrics that enable the measurement of the Foundation’s progress towards goals and targets
• Collect and analyze grant data, distilling relevant insights to teammates to inform grantmaking and organization operations
• Use Salesforce to implement solutions that improve grantmaking efficiency and effectiveness, accelerating the Foundation’s ability to support grantees
• Leverage strong project management skills to interact with internal and external stakeholders and ensure on-time project deliverables

Relationship Management & Communication

• Maintain positive, collaborative relationships with grantees, providing exceptional support and guidance throughout the grant lifecycle
• Serve as the primary point of contact for grantee and external inquiries, responding promptly and professionally to questions and concerns
• Collaborate effectively with internal staff, including program officers and leadership, to ensure seamless grantmaking processes and alignment with organizational goals
• Represent the Powell Foundation to external stakeholders, articulating its mission, values, and grantmaking priorities

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE DESIRED

The ideal candidate for the position will have at least 2-3 years of professional experience, including experience using Salesforce or a similar CRM system. The successful candidate will demonstrate an ability to build relationships with diverse audiences, humility, a demonstrated track record of working well in a team environment, exceptional attention to detail, an ability to organize complex information and systems, and an exceptional service approach to his/her work. 

Specifically, the successful candidate will have the following experience, skills & mindsets:

• A bachelor’s degree with at least 2-3 years of work experience, including as a user of Salesforce or a similar CRM system
• Demonstrated commitment to the mission of the Powell Foundation 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to adapt communications for different audiences
• Proven organizational, process, and project management skills
• Technology proficiency across a range of platforms and systems.
• Effective analytical skills and ability to prepare clear reporting materials 
• Proactive and resourceful problem-solver; seeking to continuously improve processes 
• A “roll up one’s sleeves” attitude and an excellent customer service-orientation
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders
• Professionalism, sound judgment, and unwavering integrity, including maintaining confidentiality and discretion with sensitive information
• Self-aware with a growth mindset; commitment to being a lifelong learner and giving and receiving professional feedback

COMPENSATION

The salary range for this position is $65,000-$75,000, depending on prior experience and skills. This is a full-time position (40 hours/week) based in Houston. A comprehensive benefits package, including paid medical, dental, and vision benefits; generous paid-time-off (PTO); a retirement savings plan with up to 4% match; and an annual professional development stipend, is offered to all full-time employees.