Grants Manager

Waverley Street Foundation 

Grants Manager 

Location: San Francisco, CA 

About Waverley Street Foundation 

Waverley Street Foundation (WSF) builds and supports solutions at the intersection of climate  change and community priorities, focusing on efforts and initiatives that draw connections  between urgent local and community-based issues—including housing, transportation, food  security, and more—and the health of our planet. The Foundation is especially eager to partner  with communities in the Global South that are already enduring severe impacts of climate  change and that deserve a central place in solutions. WSF prioritizes representation, diversity,  equity, and inclusion in all facets of its work. 

Unlike most philanthropies, WSF will spend down its assets—approximately $3 Billion— over the  next 10 years, a decision that empowers it to support not only sensible and pragmatic solutions  but also daring bets and breakthroughs that can alter the trajectory of the climate crisis and  unlock a new and better future for humanity.  

WSF strives to do things differently, and be entrepreneurial and innovative in our grantmaking  approach. As we take on the task of addressing global climate change, we are adopting a  campaign mindset where we look to empower people and communities to ensure that their  governments adopt and implement climate friendly policies. Starting with some of the highest  emitting nations, the goal is to demonstrate the collective will of humanity to reside on a livable  planet, and to develop momentum for climate improvements across the globe that results in a  global transition to clean energy sources and sustainable living.  

WSF works in deep collaboration with field experts and advisors, as it is essential that the  Foundation’s strategy is developed not in conference rooms but out in the world, informed by  the lived experiences and innovative ideas of the people most directly impacted by the  problems the foundation seeks to address. Specifically, WSF convenes experts from a variety of  disciplines who are close to communities – their experiences and their solutions.  

The Opportunity 

Waverley Street Foundation has ten years to invest the entirety of its endowment in order to  reduce carbon emissions by half. This spend-down goal will require rapid deployment and a  grants management process and administration that centers access, equity, responsiveness to  community, and WSF shared strategies. 

Reporting to the Director of Grants Management, the Grants Manager will be a key member of a dynamic and rapidly expanding philanthropic organization and provide strategic and tactical  support to maximize WSF’s impact and effectiveness. The Grants Manager will develop grants  management tools and processes and implement systems using innovative and best practices.  The Grants Manager will collaborate across WSF to design systems to best engage international  and domestic grantee partners, manage the full lifecycle of all grants, collect and analyze data,  and continuously improve grantmaking through leading trainings and implementing new practices.

In joining a newly created team, the Grants Manager will align and strengthen the growing grants  management infrastructure. This expert will be responsible for supporting all aspects of WSF’s grants program, from application to evaluation, while maintaining compliance with the foundation's policies and objectives. The successful candidate will collaborate with internal  teams, external partners, and grant applicants to facilitate the effective distribution of funds. This  is a perfect opportunity for a nimble and creative grants management professional whose range  will readily accommodate both an evolving internal grants management infrastructure and  strategic design for best-in-class grants administration. 

As this is a new organization, it is expected that the role will evolve over time; comfort operating within ambiguity and an entrepreneurial spirit are critical for success. The right candidate will be excited by the prospect of building, influencing, and leading grants management to facilitate  greater efficiency, efficacy, and global impact. 

Key Responsibilities 

Strategy 

• Support a comprehensive and shared vision for the future of grants management that  strategically advises and collaborates with the Director of Grants Management,  programmatic, and administrative functions across the foundation. 

• Audits and assesses existing grants management processes, tools, and capacities to inform  strategic planning and implementation. 

• Lead aspects of grants management planning, evaluation, and improvement efforts. 

Grants Management and Systems 

• Manage all aspects of the grant workflow and infrastructure (processes, policies, guidelines,  systems); proactively identify and propose workflow improvements ensuring updates and  documentation is shared across the foundation. 

• Maintain and update grantmaking templates (e.g., application, agreement letters, reporting  requirements) in partnership with the General Counsel and senior leadership. • Collaborate with program staff to ensure an accessible grants application process, effective  administration of funds, and equitable grantee partnerships; train program staff on Grants  Management System (GMS) and grants management. 

• Serve a primary point of contact in partnership with external GMS vendor and internal staff  to manage database; plan any future systems changes to improve grants management. 

Continuous Improvement and Compliance 

• Lead with a continuous improvement orientation by integrating feedback mechanisms (with  internal staff and grantee partners) for early detection of problems and responsive  operational improvements. 

• Collaborate with WSF’s Learning and Evaluation Director to develop and manage a  framework for collection and use of data to advance learning, leadership decision making  and strategic goals. 

• Promote and create a culture of learning and knowledge sharing around grants and grants  practices to support program staff across the foundation. 

• Partner with the legal and finance staff to ensure compliance with U.S. and international  regulations and institutional policies across all grantmaking activities and manage risk  assessment. 

Ideal Candidate

The Grants Manager will be motivated by WSF’s mission to advance equitable and  transformative solutions to the climate crisis. This person will have experience with international  and domestic grants management along with GMS platforms. They will be an advisor, project  manager, analyst, and problem solver who centers innovation and has a key eye for details. As  an advisor to the ongoing development of internal infrastructure and systems, the successful  candidate will be data driven and systems thinker. Experience supporting GMS development and  implementation is a distinct advantage.  

This Grants Manager will have a background in successfully building internal and external  partnerships in order to create and implement strategies that advance the foundation’s goal of a  highly effective and equitable grants management. As WSF continues to evolve and expand its  staff and impact, it will be critical for this person to be an exceptional communicator (written  and oral), active listener, and teammate who values teaching and learning. A comfort with  ambiguity and competing priorities is vital. 

Qualifications 

With the understanding that no one person will offer every desired skill and characteristic  outlined below, compelling candidates will offer much of the following: 

• 5+ years of grants management experience at a philanthropic organization with  international and domestic programmatic strategies.  

• A deep understanding of international and domestic compliance and financial regulations. • A strong systems orientation with a background of successfully improving and enhancing  existing approaches and developing new solutions. 

• A demonstrated ability to develop and implement complex projects and/or formulate  institutional-level policy and practice, preferably within a philanthropic or social sector  institution. 

• A client-service orientation and ability to seamlessly engage across internal functions and  external partners. 

• Skilled at project management, setting and meeting deadlines, time management, and  prioritization. 

• Excellent cross-cultural skills, including the ability to communicate with people at all levels  and from various backgrounds. 

• An approachable expert—someone who leads with warmth and humility, speaks with  confidence, enjoys sharing knowledge and is patient in bringing others along. • Skilled at leading through influence, a natural collaborator, and possess a strong team  orientation. 

• A high capacity for working, building, and collaborating in a rapidly evolving organization. 

Location and Salary 

This position is based in the San Francisco Bay area, reporting to the office at least three days a week.  This role requires some travel, domestically and internationally.  

WSF provides compensation commensurate with individual skills, qualifications, and experiences  relative to the requirements of the role. The salary range for this position is $130,000-160,000. In addition to salary, this position includes a comprehensive benefits package that includes health,  dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) plan with employer match, paid time off, and other perks. 

To Be Considered 

Please submit your resume and cover letter expressing your interest in the position and fit for  the role via the “Become a Candidate” button. Letters may be addressed to Martens Roc.  

Applicants applying by Monday, February 17th, will be given priority consideration, with the  position open until filled. 

GoodCitizen has been exclusively retained by Waverley Street Foundation to lead this search.  For questions, please contact: 
 

Martens Roc | Managing Director | 202.933.7616 | [email protected]

Mollie Smith | Engagement Manager  206.462.6190 | [email protected] 

Gabe Sapuay | Senior Associate | 206.792.4221 | [email protected]