Head of Grantmaking Operations

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Take full ownership of the entire grant lifecycle, which includes intake, due diligence, structuring, approval, payment, monitoring, reporting, and closeout.

• Collaborate with Program Officers and Heads of Funds to synchronize workflows, risk management, and decision-making authority with the objectives of the funds.

• Ensure that complex grants are structured appropriately from the beginning.

• Work alongside the Finance team on payment requests, documentation, approvals, system records, and tracking of grant funds.

• Act as CEA's internal expert on US charitable grantmaking, providing guidance to leadership on allowable funding and conditions.

• Manage due diligence, OFAC/sanctions screening, audit-ready recordkeeping, risk appetite, and the engagement of external counsel.

• Oversee cross-border grantmaking and develop internal capabilities regarding recipient-country requirements.

• Manage compliant grants to individuals, including considerations of charitable class, objective selection, grant versus compensation distinctions, and overseas withholding/reporting.

• Provide counsel on DAF grantmaking and potential c4 or organizational DAF structures.

• Identify compliant structures for non-standard grants, such as recoverable grants, PRIs, fiscal sponsorship, regranting, and pooled funds.

• Lead and expand the Grants Operations Team, which currently consists of two people.

• Serve as the senior point of contact for grantmakers and handle sensitive discussions with stakeholders.

• Promote collaboration between the Grants Team and EA Funds Team.

• Create scalable grantmaking systems, expedite workflows, and manage higher-risk grant processes.

• Document processes into SOPs, templates, and internal guidance materials.

• Define direction and approve the architecture, systems, documentation standards, and board reporting for the grants function.

• Refine monitoring and evaluation processes in conjunction with Program Officers and Heads of Funds.

• Report directly to the Chief Operating Officer.

⛳️ Requirements

• Significant hands-on experience in US charitable grantmaking, where depth of experience is more critical than the number of years.

• Extensive knowledge of domestic 501(c)(3) grants, grants to non-charitable entities, grants to individuals, international grantmaking including recipient-country laws, public charity lobbying limits, and DAF regulations.

• Experience in structuring non-standard grants and creating compliant pathways for high-risk, high-impact grants.

• Proven ability to transform a manual operation into a more streamlined or automated process while maintaining sound judgment.

• Well-calibrated judgment to make and justify difficult decisions, recognizing when external counsel is necessary.

• Credibility to guide Program Officers and Heads of Funds through expertise rather than relying solely on authority.

• Experience in managing and developing team members, with a passion for coaching a growing team.

• US resident capable of acting on behalf of the organization where a US-based representative is required.

• Availability for full-time work.

• Familiarity with effective altruism cause areas is considered a plus.

• Experience in overseeing a fellowship or individual grants program at scale is advantageous.

• Experience in establishing a DAF, c4, or other non-standard grantmaking entities is a bonus.

🏝️ Benefits

• 10% unconditional 401k contribution.

• Private health insurance coverage.

• Flexible work hours.

• $6,000 annual professional development allowance.

• $6,000 mental health support allowance.

• Extended parental leave.

• Ergonomic equipment provided.

• 25 days of paid vacation.

• Opportunities for travel to team retreats and other events, including several international trips.