Senior Manager, Grants Operations

What You'll Do

We are seeking a highly strategic and solutions-driven leader to serve as the operational backbone of the organization. This role is designed for a systems-level thinker who excels at cross-functional leadership, precision execution, and proactive problem-solving. Reporting directly to the CFOO, the Senior Manager, Grants Operations will bridge program and operational functions, lead internal systems development, and ensure grant information/knowledge management are seamless and compliant. This is not an administrative support role—this is a senior-level operational leader who owns complex systems like Salesforce and Tableau, leads contract management workflows, manages coordination with outsourced tech partners, and plays a central role in onboarding, documentation, and internal alignment. The right candidate will bring a builder's mindset, exceptional follow-through, and a deep understanding of nonprofit infrastructure and grants operations.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Strategic Systems Leadership (Salesforce & Tableau)

• Serve as the in-house Salesforce Administrator, responsible for basic administrative functions such as user management, data imports, permission sets, page layouts, picklists, reports, and dashboards
• Gather user requirements and translate them into technical specifications for system configuration or enhancement
• Communicate clearly with staff about system updates, timelines, and the broader technology roadmap to ensure transparency and engagement
• Stay informed about Salesforce release notes and new feature developments, assessing their relevance and impact for the organization
• Lead internal adoption of Salesforce as the organization's central operating system, ensuring refinement, integration, and usability across teams
• Build and maintain internal Tableau dashboards to support real-time data access, funder reporting, and internal decision-making
• Create and maintain documentation including SOPs, onboarding materials, and training videos to support sustainable and scalable system use
• Identify staff training needs, facilitate development opportunities, and support continuous learning to ensure team members have the skills and knowledge required to perform effectively and grow professionally

Grants Infrastructure & Compliance

• Own the grants operations lifecycle, including intake, tracking, deadlines, deliverables, reports, and closeout
• Collaborate closely with Accounting to align on grant budget tracking, compliance documentation, and closeout processes
• Maintain a centralized grants calendar and dashboard, ensuring timely updates and accuracy across internal and external stakeholders
• Ensure consistency and compliance across all grant data, reporting, and documentation processes

Operational Oversight & Contract Execution

• Manage the full lifecycle of contracts and vendor agreements, including drafting, routing, filing, and tracking renewals
• Partner with the CFOO and VP, Strategy and Programs on vendor and consultant procurement and process improvement
• Provide oversight of outsourced technology partners, ensuring alignment with internal priorities and accountability to timelines
• Serve as the central operations liaison across departments, connecting administrative, legal, and program needs

Cross-Functional Coordination & Internal Communication

• Act as a nucleus between the CFOO, VP, and program teams, supporting operational alignment and shared goals
• Lead or support key cross-functional meetings, manage follow-ups, and drive accountability for next steps
• Anticipate operational gaps and proactively propose and implement solutions
• Ensure team-wide visibility and alignment on operational progress and milestones
• Other duties as assigned.

Who You'll Work With

• You will report to the Chief Financial & Operations Officer (CFOO).
• You will frequently collaborate with the Vice President, Strategy and Programs.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• 7–10+ years of experience in nonprofit operations management with 5+ years of experience in grants management and systems leadership.
• Demonstrated success in owning and administering Salesforce platforms, including managing backend configurations, providing end-user support, and implementing system integrations to optimize business processes.
• Proficient in Tableau with hands-on experience designing interactive dashboards and leveraging data insights for both internal performance tracking and external client reporting.
• Possess deep understanding of the grants lifecycle, compliance requirements, and data tracking systems to ensure accurate reporting and regulatory adherence.
• Strong understanding of donor rules and regulations, ensuring alignment with funding requirements and organizational compliance.
• Proven skills and experience in report and proposal development and working with multiple donors.
• Proven strength in data management, including data integrity, organization, and analysis to support informed decision-making.
• Strong communication and project management skills with a collaborative, cross-functional leadership style.
• Experience drafting and managing contracts and working across legal and vendor relationships.
• Proactive, solutions-oriented, and capable of executing in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment. Highly organized, mission-aligned, and eager to strengthen infrastructure at the strategic level.

Preferred Skills

• Salesforce Admin certification or comparable advanced experience.
• Background in philanthropy, education, or nonprofit intermediary organizations.
• Familiarity with Asana, Slack, Google Workspace, or other collaborative tools.

Location and Work Environment

Remote. Preference for candidates based in Eastern and Central timezones.

The Collaborative is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, or current employment status.