How You’ll Contribute
The Strategic Operations and Initiatives division helps the organization achieve its strategic objectives and grow, scale, and operate efficiently and effectively. They realize successful outcomes for Society program initiatives and critical business priorities by leading and effectively engaging stakeholders in enterprise change and development projects.
The Program Funding Operations Specialist is a highly motivated self-starter with an exceptional work ethic. This position is integral to the operational foundation supporting grant-making at National Geographic and is responsible for designing and executing components of the grantmaking process. The Specialist works across teams, including the Science & Innovation, Storytelling, Education, Legal & Business Affairs, Technology, and Finance departments, to build and implement best practices around the execution of the Explorer-led funding portfolio.
Reporting to the Senior Manager, Funding Operations, the Program Funding Operations Specialist supports the Program Funding Operations team in the strategic deployment of an international grants portfolio. The Specialist is responsible for providing constituent support in the areas of proposal submission, contract updates and negotiations, and reporting, ensuring positive interactions and relationships with one of National Geographic Society’s largest constituent groups. Additionally, the Specialist will provide operational support to internal stakeholders across the organization through process design and documentation, training, enhancement requests, and incident escalation. The Program Funding Operations Specialist recognizes how well-designed systems, rigorous attention to detail, and clear communication enhance the Society’s grant making and project management operations.
Your Impact
Responsibilities Include
PROCESS SUPPORT/MAINTENANCE (30%):
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Develop, recommend, communicate, and manage operational processes and key milestones around application and grant cycles, including proactive maintenance and forecasting of grant funding opportunity calendar
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Collaborate with NG Technology to ensure controlled process in the delivery and testing of new GMS and CRM functionality and minimize disruption to business processes
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Work with stakeholders to design, recommend, and manage the suite of External Review processes across the Explorer-led Funding portfolio
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Establish and cultivate processes to analyze feedback from grantees and develop new instructions and/or product design to eliminate inefficiencies in the grantee submission process
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Collaborate with Legal & Business Affairs during grant agreement negotiation process in collaboration with Legal Business Affairs
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Design, recommend, and manage the grant closure process including final report and financial accounting
INTERNAL SUPPORT (25%):
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Leverage organizational knowledge of grant-making practices and the Grants Management System (GMS) to provide subject matter expertise for stakeholders across the organization
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Collect business requirements from internal stakeholders and develop and recommend streamlined technical and operational process solutions (e.g. reports and dashboards)
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Work closely with Program Funding Operations Manager in the development of reports and dashboards for Program staff to ensure they have the required tools to provide insights to applicant and grantee trends allowing for a positive and efficient relationships with grantees and accurately describe their grant portfolios in real-time
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Act as liaison to the Science & Innovation, Storytelling, Education, Impact Media, and Explorers teams by fielding their queries, offering proactive insights, and representing the general Grant/Operations collaborative effort
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Analyze constituent data to proactively identify and assess troubleshooting trends to circumvent further process bottlenecks while working closely with NG Technology to deliver solutions and communicate key updates to stakeholders
EXTERNAL CONSTITUENT MANAGEMENT & SUPPORT (25%):
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Resolve applicant and grantee questions about eligibility, process, timeline extensions, budget modifications, program adjustments, technical troubleshooting, and accessibility
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Proactively identify and assess troubleshooting trends to circumvent further process bottlenecks
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Forecast and proactively communicate constituent needs
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Develop system tools and solutions for analysis of reported issues, to improve applicant and grantee experiences
DATABASE MAINTENANCE/ADMINISTRATION (20%)
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Endeavor to improve, update and maintain the integrity of the GMS, CRM, and project management tools by ensuring data entry is timely, complete, and accurate
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Serve as technical expert in grants and project management tools (e.g. Salesforce, Wrike, Jira, and Conga Composer)
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Perform periodic data validation to maintain the integrity of the database
Educational Background
Bachelor's degree preferred.
Minimum Years and Type of Experience
3+ years’ experience in grant-making, contract management, data analysis
Necessary Knowledge and Skills
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Authoritative knowledge of grants programs and experience developing and maintaining well-designed processes to meet both day-to-day needs and overall strategy
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Aptitude to analyze data and accurately maintain database
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Ability to perform in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and work with individuals and groups at all levels
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Ability to adapt to continuous change; demonstrated record of managing complex projects, meeting deadlines, and handling competing and changing priorities
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Highly skilled in database management (Salesforce preferred)
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Exceptional written and oral communication skills
Desired Qualifications
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Strong desire to continuously learn and take on new challenges
Supervision
No direct reports.
Salary Information
The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. Our compensation structure and transparent pay philosophy are based on industry-specific market data for similar-sized nonprofit organizations.
The salary range for this position accounts for a wide range of factors including but not limited to organizational need; specific skill sets; experience and training; certifications; and more. At the National Geographic Society, individuals are typically hired at or near the starting point of the salary range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.
The salary range for this position is $60,800 - $64,000
In addition, the National Geographic Society offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance; engaging and comprehensive wellness program; 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment; flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year) and 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31; paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; Lifestyle Spending Account; pet adoption assistance and insurance; pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy; employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit; and a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks.
Job Designation
Hybrid - At the Society, we believe in the advantages of coming together to build community, mentor and learn from colleagues, and connect more deeply with our mission. As a result, the majority of our staff are Hybrid. Our Hybrid category requires that staff work at Base Camp two days each week: every Tuesday and Wednesday. Hybrid staff are also always welcome to come in additional days each week if preferred.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.
Top Skills
What We Do
The National Geographic Society is an impact-driven nonprofit. We identify and invest in a diverse, international community of changemakers—National Geographic Explorers—who use the power of science, exploration, education, and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world.
Follow us and find out how to support our mission, our Explorers, and what it takes to work for the Society.
Official LinkedIn of the National Geographic Society.
To learn about our media properties, a joint venture with The Walt Disney Company, visit NationalGeographic.com.
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