Director, Grant Operations - Remote (within the U.S.)

About The Role:

The Director, Grant Operations (DGO) will play an important role in the operational efficacy of the Partnerships & Development team. This individual will lead the design, maintainenance, and continual improvement of many key elements of the team’s infrastructure (including data and project management systems, tools and resources, and team-wide processes) to ensure consistency and quality in our work as well as efficient communication and collaboration. The DGO will manage a group of professionals who contribute to proposals, reports, data management, and other projects across the team. The DGO will collaborate closely with colleagues to understand and meet team needs, to manage the large volume of proposals and reports that our team produces, and to generate internal reporting. The DGO contributes to overall project management, capacity planning, and quality assurance.

We seek an individual who is eager to improve processes and systems in order to support our team’s growth. The ideal candidate will be an experienced people manager, able to supervise and develop skilled team members and hire additional roles as needed.

This position is fully remote. The DGO will manage a team of 3 (or more) and report to the Associate Vice President, Partnerships & Development.

Responsibilities:

Process & System Improvement (30%)

• Improve team-wide processes and systems, particularly related to proposal management, communications, and data management
• Monitor fidelity to key processes across the Partnerships & Development team, elevating concerns and problem-solving as needed
• Work closely with colleagues to maximize efficiencies within current data systems

People Management (30%)

• Manage a team with a variety of expert skill sets to ensure clear expectations, professional development, and inclusive excellence
• Assign team members with specialized skills (e.g., proposal management, writing, editing, coordination) to projects
• Monitor capacity and work volume and plan for future needs

Quality Assurance (20%)

• Ensure consistency and quality through review of proposals, concept notes, and work plans

Internal Reporting & Collaboration (20%)

• Design and produce internal reporting for a variety of audiences (such as leadership team, board, and entire staff)
• Serve as primary liaison for collaboration with other teams such as Data Intelligence and Marketing & Communications

What You Bring:

• At least 5 years of direct team management experience is required.
• Experience leading and optimizing a team within a growing function or organization is strongly preferred.
• A track record of managing complex projects across large teams on tight timelines
• A track record of writing and project managing exceptional grant and partnership proposals to a variety of funders, including federal agencies
• Ability to quickly and accurately assess the quality of written materials in light of audience and context
• Experience designing and improving systems, tools, and processes to increase efficiency 
• Experience using and customizing at least one CRM

Across the Board, VentureWell Staff:

• Are able to succeed and thrive in an environment with competing and changing priorities and tight deadlines
• Have track records of and ability to build solid collaborative working relationships, and are proven team players who enjoy a “customer service” orientation to collaboration
• Are committed to embedding equity in our internal practices and culture and in our programs in order to live and achieve our mission
• Bring openness and engagement to personal, professional, and organization-wide learning on race, class, gender, justice, and equity
• Are curious and committed to issues of environmental sustainability
• Are self-starters with excellent attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality work 
• Are active learners who independently learn new tools and work processes quickly
• Have excellent written and oral communication skills

Our Benefits:

• An attractive and equitable compensation package, including: 
• Salary range of $130,000-$145,000 commensurate with experience and internal equity
• 403(b) plan with 200% match up to a maximum contribution from VentureWell of 10% when the employee puts it 5% (eligible after one year of service for the match)
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• $1,000 home office stipend upon hire
• A true focus on work-life balance with work weeks that reflect that
• It’s our aim for our employees in this position to not work more than a 35-hour workweek 
• 20 paid vacation days PLUS the week off between Christmas and New Years
• 12 paid wellness days 

What We Offer:

• A culture where people work intentionally and collaboratively in pursuit of our mission  
• Values we believe in
• A commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 

About VentureWell: 

VentureWell supports the cultivation of an emerging generation of science and technology inventors and the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems that are critical to their success. Since its founding in 1995, VentureWell has funded or trained over 16,000 science and technology inventors and innovators, resulting in the emergence of over 3,000 ventures with groundbreaking technological advancements in fields like biomedicine and healthcare, sustainable energy and materials, and solutions for low-resource settings. The startups they have supported have raised subsequent funds totaling close to $5.3 billion and are reaching millions of people in nearly 50 countries.

Visit venturewell.org to learn more.