| Organization Ceres is a sustainability nonprofit organization leading the most influential investors and companies to build leadership and drive solutions throughout the economy. Through our powerful networks and advocacy, we tackle the world’s biggest sustainability challenges, including climate change, water scarcity and pollution, and human rights abuses. For more information about Ceres, please visit our web site (www.ceres.org). Description & Responsibilities The Grants Manager is a new role on the finance team that is result of the continued growth in the number and complexity of Ceres foundation grants. The Grants Manager will manage foundation grant budgets, with a primary focus on the Food and Forests, Water and General Operating Support grants. Responsibilities include the development of grant proposal budgets, monitoring of grant expenses, and timely and accurate financial reporting to foundation funders. This position will also manage the sub-granting process for grants within their portfolio. The Grants Manager will contribute to the development of Ceres annual initiative budgets and to the monitoring of budget to actual results. The Grants Manager is a full-time position, reporting to the Senior Grants Manager, Finance Department. Specific duties include, but are not limited to the following: - Support development of budgets for foundation proposals.
- Work closely with Development, Finance and program staff to develop foundation proposal budgets to support the Food and Forests and Water teams and to align grant budgets with annual program budgets.
- Work with others on the Finance team to align Ceres’ Staff Allocation Schedule with foundation proposal budgets.
- Ensure accuracy of grant direct expenses through regular updating of typical direct expense costs, such as consultant rates, and clearly identifying in each proposal specific activities those costs support.
- Compile all financial-related documents required in support of funding proposals.
- Process incoming grants.
- Revise proposal budgets and initiative budgets and projections to reflect the actual award and any revenue-driven expense as needed.
- Coordinate with program and Development staff to ensure awards are properly allocated to program initiatives.
- Review grant agreements and create grant budget coversheets that summarize information pertinent to the grant (budget, grant period, reporting deadlines, allocations, special requirements, lobbying provisions, etc.)
- Create interim and final financial reports for foundation funders.
- Review and track monthly grant releases, identify issues of over or underspending and work with program and Finance teams on solutions to keep grants on track.
- Maintain projected expenditure schedules as informed by program budget manager and work with program directors to ensure grants are fully and properly spent.
- Review monthly initiative-based budget to actuals reports and produce analysis to inform finance, development and program staff regarding the pace of grant spending.
- Assist program staff in ensuring contracts and other direct expenses are properly coded to grants.
- Work with program directors and other finance staff to monitor annual Ceres program budgets for the Food and Forests and Water teams.
- Assist program budget managers in developing Ceres annual budget submissions, review submissions to assure they are in alignment with foundation grant resources and requirements.
- Review monthly financial reports for the Food and Forest and Water team initiatives. Lead monthly budget to actual meetings for those teams and work with program directors on projections as necessary.
- Coordinate closely with Development staff to assure they know what funding gaps need to be filled.
- Assist in annual process to analyze and distribute grant revenue budget in Intacct
- Assist in maintaining level of effort schedule
Qualifications - Minimum of five years of relevant work experience, required
- Proficiency with accounting software systems. Experience with Intacct a plus
- Abacus Expense or other expense management systems experience a plus
- Proficient with word-processing, spreadsheet, presentation, database, and e-mail computer applications.
- Proficient with both Microsoft Office and Google Docs. Strong Excel skills a must.
- Experience with Salesforce, a plus
- Ability to translate financial information to program staff, and programmatic strategies to finance staff.
- Interest in developing process improvements
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, in a fast-paced environment.
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Ability to evaluate workload and prioritize multiple tasks in order to meet deadlines projects
- Well organized and detail oriented
- Interest in being part of a diverse workforce and willingness to support Ceres’ Commitment to Inclusion and Equity
- Discretion in working with confidential information
- Interest and willingness to be trained on data systems and tools for necessary work.
- Interest in climate and sustainability issues, preferred.
How to Apply We encourage all applicants to review our website to familiarize themselves with Ceres before applying: www.ceres.org. Applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, two writing samples, and a list of three references. Ceres is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not discriminate against any individual based on race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military or veteran status, disability, or any factors prohibited by applicable law. |
