Director, Grants Management
About the Company
Founded in 2015 by Melinda French Gates, Pivotal expands opportunity and equality for all people through high-impact investments, philanthropy, partnerships, and advocacy. We accelerate social progress by removing barriers that hold people back.
We strive to be creative and innovative in our work and flexible in the approach we take to solving problems. To date, we have invested in over 150 organizations, including nonprofits, private sector companies, venture funds, and advocacy groups that are on the frontlines of the issues we work on. Some areas we currently focus on: women in technology and innovation; women in public office; women and girls of color; adolescent mental health; paid family and medical leave; and caregiving.
Inspired by our founder, we reach across communities and sectors to bring together changemakers who can scale up proven ideas and catalyze new ones. We learn from their experiences, amplify their resources, then step back so they can lead. Our impatience with the status quo is fueled by an optimism that progress is always possible.
About the Job
The Director, Grants Management reports to the Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and leads a team responsible for a $1B+ Philanthropic Portfolio. The role will play an essential role in helping Pivotal in its current phase of growth and change. The Director will be responsible for growing and sustaining the compliance and operational aspects of Pivotal’s philanthropic gifts and grants toolkit. This role will lead the assessment of current approaches, and the development and adoption of new models and modes of working. The role provides guidance and support to the Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer on grantmaking and other matters. The Director is a key member and contributor to the Office of the General Counsel’s leadership team, helping champion a team culture that aspires to be efficient, effective, creative, forward-thinking, and responsive.
Success in the role requires a comprehensive and deep understanding of the practices, policies, processes, and systems that serve as the foundation of successful grants management in the philanthropic space. It also calls for dedication to collaborative and inclusive problem solving. The expertise to lead through periods of significant growth and change, with values of equity and belonging. The Director must demonstrate the ability to build and maintain trust, act with integrity, and foster an inclusive environment while driving impact and delivering results that align with organizational goals.
Responsibilities
Strategy and Leadership
Advocate for grantmaking policies and practices that align with and support the organization’s values while prioritizing equity, belonging, and trust-building
Serve as a leader and guide in grantmaking and other related functions, facilitating creation and leading effective change of standard processes across the organization
Provide strategic leadership and thought partnership to the Foundation’s staff and grantees, regarding grantmaking practice, knowledge, and operations
Builds trusting relationships with respect and humility to drive impact and strengthen internal and external partnerships
Continually stay abreast of new developments in philanthropic approaches and tools, considering how they may enhance Pivotal's impact
Orchestrate team and organizational strategic planning and culture-building efforts that promote equity and belonging
Promote an inclusive environment where individuals can pursue learning and growth, support well-being, and help others thrive
Grants Management
Partner closely with grants, legal, finance, program, strategy, and IT teams to develop and implement innovative grantmaking strategies; maintaining tested approaches where possible, designing and implementing new ways when needed
Conduct long-term planning to ensure the success, sustainability, and “fit for purpose” of the organization’s grantmaking operations
Support the Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, to create annual forecasts; monitoring grantmaking activities and ensuring steady workflows
Work closely with IT to supervise, assess, and improve grants management systems, encouraging universal adoption and efficient use
Build and maintain feedback mechanisms to ensure early detection of end-user problems, including partners; proactively adjust service, training, and communications to support unit objectives balancing effectiveness, efficiency, and equity
Oversee and lead communication and change management efforts
Solve problems and propel work forward by identifying challenges and developing strategic solutions that support program goals
Ensure Pivotal’s grantmaking processes and practices are in alignment with external laws and regulations, and internal controls as well as grants department best practices
Grants Life-Cycle Work
Be responsible for day-to-day grants management/compliance work by the team: sustaining high-quality service, anticipating work flows, distributing work to enhance effectiveness and efficiency
Maintain core values of the Grants team in day-to-day work, innovating to use Pivotal’s diverse toolbox to advance strategies and impact
Continually supervise operations and process performance by collecting and analyzing qualitative and quantitative metrics; ensuring mechanisms are in place to detect end-user issues
Collaborate with program and finance teams to maintain sufficient liquidity for grant disbursements
Manage data for all philanthropic vehicles in Salesforce; ensure data integrity to support the Program Strategy, Communications, and Executive Leadership teams
Work with the Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and external legal counsel on more complicated philanthropic matters as warranted
Team Leadership, Development, and Collaboration
Lead the grants and contracts management team, including overseeing team structure, hiring, onboarding, training, professional development, and performance management of senior level staff
Partner collaboratively across departments to drive a culture of continuous improvement
Develop each member of the Grants team to improve individual and team efficiency and effectiveness
Promote a team culture of continuous improvement and impact-orientation that values learning, a commitment to quality, and focus on the outcomes Pivotal aspires to in the world
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
12+ years experience in grants administration, with 4+ in a strategic leadership role
Minimum of 4+ years of people leadership experience, demonstrating commitment to equity, belonging, and staff development
Proficiency using Salesforce and/or other platforms for grants management
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
Skills & Competencies:
Builds and maintains trust, acts with integrity, and fosters an inclusive environment
Drives impact through grantmaking initiatives and delivers high-quality work that leads to sustainable outcomes
Solves problems and propels work forward through strategic thinking and effective decision-making
Pursues learning and growth, demonstrating a desire to understand and learn, while supporting the development of colleagues and promoting well-being
Exceptional organization and time management skills, able to prioritize multiple tasks to meet changing deadlines and requests, while strategically thinking ahead
Functional knowledge of multi-entity philanthropic organizations, their structures, and deregulation
Consistent track record of inspiring confidence, trust, respect, and transparency in a diverse team, including ability to inspire others to adopt change
Effective project management and cross-functional leadership including the ability to meet deadlines while working with multiple stakeholders
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills including the ability to synthesize diverse information and make clear recommendations
High integrity, sound judgment in decision-making, and discretion with confidential matters and sensitive information
A well-developed sense of humor and ability to work with a team with varied strengths
