Director, Grants Management

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY The Simons Foundation (SF) seeks a Director of Grants Management (Director) to provide, in close collaboration with the Vice President of Grants Management (Vice President), strategic leadership across all grants administration functions, including continuous system and workflow improvements to both the pre- and post-award grantmaking processes. The Director, pursuant to an administrative services agreement, also provides grant administration support to The Simons Foundation International (SFI), a Bermuda-based philanthropy founded in 2011 with the same mission as the Simons Foundation: to advance the frontiers of research in mathematics and the basic sciences. In 2025, between SF and SFI, the grants department provided administrative support for over 3,200 grants and gifts across 33 countries, with 875 of those commencing last year. The department processed 4,415 deliverables, including financial statements, progress reports, and institution transfers. The department facilitated the release of 26 competitive requests for applications (RFAs) and the competitive review process for 42 RFAs. Over the course of the year, 2,469 letters of intent and 2,708 full applications were submitted, and SF and SFI made 1,075 commitments totaling $436 million. The Director is currently responsible for the direct supervision and mentorship of three Grant Managers and the Senior Systems Manager, as well as broader leadership across the grants department. The Director will drive continuous learning and improvement in grants operations and in the Simons Award Manager (SAM), the foundation's SmartSimple-based grants management system, ensuring that workflows, data integrity, and system capabilities meet the foundation's evolving grantmaking needs. Success in this role requires a deep understanding of grantmaking technology and end-to-end grantmaking processes, as well as the ability to work cross-functionally and collaboratively. This is a full-time position based on-site at the Simons Foundation’s New York City offices. Visit the Simons Foundation career page to learn more. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES Grants Portfolio Oversight Responsible for overseeing the Grants Managers and their grant portfolios, including their output and their team’s success Supervise and mentor Grants Managers and their direct reports, leveraging project management, continuous learning, and cross-functional team techniques to achieve shared goals Alongside the Vice President, work to streamline grant operations across the funding divisions at SF Oversee grantmaking timelines and workflows to ensure internal equity and that program goals and deadlines are met Review and approve requests for applications (RFAs), award letters, award modifications, and financial statements submitted by the Grants Managers Develop metrics to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative outputs of the foundation and its funding divisions, and presents findings to senior leadership as requested Facilitate relationships internally and externally to ensure program compliance with SF and SFI policies and procedures Grants System Management Serve as the business owner of the Simons Award Manager (SAM), built on the SmartSimple platform, the online tool for pre- and post-award grants management. Responsible for supervising the Senior Systems Manager who oversees the SAM. Accountable for the Senior Systems Manager's output and the SAM team's success Review and approve all technical assistance requests for internal and external stakeholders Serve as a point of escalation for the SAM team when new configuration requests may conflict with existing decisions across award types or funding divisions, working with Grants Managers and Program Staff to evaluate and resolve Ensure SOPs related to SAM are developed and maintained Manage SAM enhancements and upgrades to support efficient grant operations Collaborate with the Chief Technology Officer, Vice President of Business Technology, the Vice President of Grants, the SAM team, and Grant Managers to foster the continuous improvement of SAM to meet SF and SFI needs Knowledge Management and Process Improvement Alongside the Vice President, lead the development, implementation, and oversight of grants management strategy to optimize operational efficiency and ensure alignment with organizational mission Identify and develop process improvement initiatives in collaboration with the Vice President as the foundation’s needs evolve Collaborate with the Vice President to build and maintain a robust data and analytics program that delivers timely, relevant reporting to stakeholders across the organization Build and maintain relationships with SF and SFI senior leadership to inform grants management strategy and ensure visibility into departmental initiatives and priorities Stay current within the field of grant-making to ensure that SF and SFI follow proven best practices Build relationships with peer grant-making organizations and sponsored project personnel to assess grantee capabilities and the sustainability of SF and SFI policies and processes Promote SAM and the SmartSimple platform to other peer foundations and grant professionals Compliance and Legal Coordination Partner with legal and finance to develop grant agreements, exercise expenditure responsibility, and ensure international grantmaking compliance Ensure SAM and department practices support audit readiness across all grant portfolios MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Education Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in nonprofit management, public administration, business, or a related field preferred Experience At least 10 to 15 years of progressively responsible experience in grants administration, preferably at a private foundation or comparable research-focused organization Demonstrated people management experience, including supervision of professional staff Hands-on experience with SmartSimple is preferred, including the ability to provide technical direction and perform basic configuration; experience managing or overseeing a SmartSimple implementation is ideal Deep familiarity with the full grant lifecycle, including the online application and scientific peer review process, pre-award due diligence, award execution, compliance monitoring, financial oversight, US laws, and IRS rules and regulations applicable to private foundation grantmaking Related Skills & Other Requirements Ability to manage, develop, and empower a high-performing team while balancing multiple competing priorities Strong analytical skills; ability to design and interpret reporting to inform operational decisions Strong technical acumen, with the ability to provide technical direction to the SAM team and perform basic system configuration in SmartSimple/SAM Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to engage senior leadership and external stakeholders Proficiency in Excel; familiarity with Artificial Intelligence (AI), data visualization, and reporting tools is a plus Sound judgment, adaptability, and attention to detail in a fast-paced environment COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS The full-time annual compensation range for this position is $175,000 to $200,000, depending on experience and qualifications. In addition to competitive salaries, the Simons Foundation provides employees with an outstanding benefits package. REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS Please submit a résumé and cover letter stating your interest in the position. Our Commitment to Expanding Pathways to Science & Opportunities for All: Many of the greatest ideas and discoveries come from a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds, and experiences. The Simons Foundation is committed to advancing basic science and mathematics to benefit humankind and expand our collective understanding of our world. As part of our mission, we support partners, programs, and initiatives that seek to broaden the scientific community and open pathways to science and mathematics careers. The Simons Foundation provides equal opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category under federal, state, and local law.