Senior Grants Manager

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Founded in 2015 by Melinda French Gates, Pivotal expands opportunity and equality for all people through high-impact investments, philanthropy, and advocacy. We accelerate social progress by removing barriers that hold people back. Our impatience with the status quo is fueled by an optimism that progress is always possible.

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. We strive to be creative and innovative in our work and flexible in the approach we take to solving problems.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

The Senior Grants Manager is responsible for managing the end-to-end grantmaking process in support of and collaboration with the Program Strategy and other grantmaking functions. This role supports both the processing and compliance aspects of grant portfolios and brings deep expertise in grant administration, regulatory requirements, and operational excellence. This role requires a strong understanding of legal and compliance issues—both in the U.S. and globally—impacting grantmaking within complex, multi-entity philanthropic ecosystems.

This individual applies creative problem-solving skills to identify solutions within established grantmaking tools and approaches. This position provides guidance and appropriate escalation to the Director, Grants Management and legal counsel, and partners closely with the Senior Specialist, Grants Management and the Finance team to coordinate and manage payments. Success in this role requires deep expertise in philanthropic grants management, including the legal and operational complexities of working across multiple entities and regulatory frameworks. This individual brings a collaborative, inclusive, and equity-centered approach to problem-solving, and is prepared to lead through periods of transformation.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Management of Grant Lifecycle

• Support end-to-end grant execution—from idea to closeout—by collaborating with strategy teams to align on goals, anticipate challenges, and manage the grants pipeline.
• Foster strong cross-functional partnerships to advance shared grantmaking goals.
• Facilitate regular coordination meetings with strategy leads to track pipeline, align on approaches and timing, and ensure grant review and closeout processes run smoothly.
• Provide grantee portal support as needed to ensure ease of use and compliance.
• Support onboarding and training for new grant makers and maintenance of internal guidance tools.
• Apply compliance screening to all grants, identifying and analyzing business, legal, strategic, and reputational risks, engaging necessary stakeholders and decision-makers, while meeting internal requirements.
• Identify when to involve counsel, Finance, or other business partners, serving as interlocutor between recommenders and counsel such that all understand the factors shaping legal advice (accumulating knowledge over time).
• Track grant reporting deadlines, review deliverables for compliance, and ensure timely disbursements.
• Oversee delegated grants management work, ensuring quality and alignment with standards.
• Cultivate relationships with grantees and funders through site visits, strategic communications, and partnership-building.

Enhancement of Systems, Process, and Practice

Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

CORE COMPETENCIES

To perform this role successfully, individuals must demonstrate the skills and behaviors aligned with our Pivotal Principles that define what success looks like across all roles. These competencies reflect the expectations for how we work together, lead, grow, and deliver impact for all employees regardless of function or level.

Build and Maintain Trust

Act with integrity and foster an inclusive and collaborative work environment.

Drive Impact

Deliver high-quality work that is aligned with Pivotal Strategic Initiatives.

Learn and Grow

Demonstrate a commitment to continuous individual and organizational development.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

The salary range for this position is $180,582 - $189,709 and it is based in Pivotal's Seattle, WA or Washington, D.C. office.

Benefits for full-time employees currently include medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and long-term care insurance, fertility benefit, caregiving support, 144 hours of vacation, 96 hours of sick leave, 401k, HSA, FSA, an opportunity to earn a discretionary annual target performance bonus and more. Eligibility for and the amount of benefits provided are governed by the terms of the applicable plan documents.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, in Pivotals discretion, with or without notice.

Pivotal values diversity and is strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all employees and all applicants seeking employment. All employment decisions at Pivotal are based on the candidates or employees capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, caste, veteran or military status, marital, parental, or familial status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, domestic violence victim status, political ideology, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable law. Pivotal complies with federal, state, and local equal opportunity and disability laws and makes reasonable accommodation for applicants and employees with disabilities. Please contact peopleandculture@pivotalventures.org for assistance and / or reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process.

Please apply directly at : grnh.se / rdpfo0qh4us

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