Grants Manager
Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, 02140, USA
Listed on 2026-02-08
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Management
Program / Project Manager, Operations Manager, General Management
Position Title: Grants Manager
Reports to: Director of Finance & Operations
Direct Reports: N/A
FLSA Status: Exempt
Salary
: $100,000-$120,000
Location: Cambridge, MA
About Wagner FoundationAt Wagner Foundation, we strive for healthier communities by investing in and accompanying organizations in the United States and around the world dedicated to health equity, economic wellbeing, and the transformative power of art & culture. We work within these three distinct but interconnected areas to address root causes, expand understanding of societal challenges, and broaden mindsets of what solutions are possible to ultimately help drive change that leads to a more just, vibrant, and healthy world.
We collaborate with organizations working to improve health equity by strengthening healthcare delivery and systems and tackling the underlying social drivers that impact health. We fund initiatives designed to foster inclusive economies that provide everyone with the opportunity to achieve economic wellbeing. And our work in art & culture aims to nurture a contemporary arts ecosystem that cultivates empathy, healing, and a more caring and healthy society.
Please visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). to learn more about our work.
Position OverviewThe Grants Manager is responsible for overseeing the grants process across all of Wagner Foundation’s giving. The position reports to the Director of Finance & Operations and works in close collaboration with them to coordinate grantmaking operations, including managing grant cycle timelines, compliance requirements, and the payment approval process.
As the Foundation’s sole grants manager and grants management system (GMS) administrator, this person will work to ensure that all programmatic staff use Giving Data (the GMS) and will maintain accurate, reliable data to support decision-making and reporting to leadership and other stakeholders. They will be a grants operations partner to the program team and leadership, aiding with system training, data management and analysis, and grants management process and system optimization.
The role requires a strong process and systems thinker who thrives in a dynamic, small team environment and enjoys a mix of operational rigor, cross-functional collaboration, and ongoing systems improvement.
The ideal candidate for this position has a passion for Wagner Foundation’s mission, is a proactive problem-solver, brings experience in data management, and demonstrates strong project management skills to drive cross-functional work forward. They are detail-oriented, curious, and flexible, bringing positive energy to working on a small, collaborative team.
This position is based in Cambridge, MA and the team currently operates under a hybrid model with Tuesday – Thursday working in the office and Monday and Friday working from home. This hybrid model is subject to change.
Primary responsibilitiesThe specific duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, the following areas:
Comprehensive Grants Management (35%)
- Develop and implement annual grantmaking work plan and grants budget for two grants cycles
- Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing refinement of the grants management workflow processes and procedures; continuously improve the grants management systems, processes, policies, and quality assurance practices
- In cooperation with program and finance, lead the generation of grant agreement documents, process grant payments, and provide reporting needed for compliance and financial statements
- Ensure compliance with internal controls, legal requirements, and best practices in grantmaking operations
- Problem-solve complex grant scenarios (e.g., international grantmaking, expenditure responsibility, university grantmaking); consult/liaise with finance and/or legal counsel
- Maintain top-line knowledge of best practice in the field of grants management and regulatory developments through ongoing engagement with sector forums and convenings
Grants Database Administration (35%)
- Provide GMS expertise and stay up to date on best practices
- Lead the development, administration, and ongoing enhancement of the GMS, including dashboards,…
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