Grants Manager (Job ID: 2024-3563) - The Brookings Institution

Overview

Join one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!  

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national and global level.  

We bring together leading experts in government and academia from all over the world, rooted in open-minded inquiry and representing diverse points of view, who provide the highest quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis. Research topics cover a full range of public policy issues in economics, foreign policy, development, governance and metropolitan policy. 

With fair and transparent business practices, clear communication, mutual respect, and a collaborative atmosphere that offers both professional and personal development opportunities, Brookings offers an inclusive and welcoming workplace that values the efforts of all contributors. 

The Office of Financial Service (OFS) is dedicated to supporting the mission of Brookings by ensuring and enhancing its financial health and promoting financial efficiency and innovation. We accomplish this by safeguarding the institution’s assets, stewarding donor contributions and providing quality and client-driven service characterized by professionalism, integrity, reliability, transparency, accountability, expertise, and above all else – respectfulness and fairness. OFS is comprised of Accounting, Financial Planning and Management, Financial Operations and Investments. The Controller’s Office manages the functions of General Accounting, Accounts Payable, Payroll, Tax Reporting, Accounts Receivable and Financial Systems.

Position Location: This position is hybrid. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC office with the option of at least two days of remote work each week.

Responsibilities

Ready to contribute to Brookings success? 

The Grants Manager (GM) is a member of the Grants Management team in the Office of Financial Services at Brookings and reports to the Director of Grants and Contracts. The candidate will be responsible for a broad range of day-to-day and long-term grant management activities across the grant lifecycle for their assigned portfolios. This includes review of proposal budgets for grant proposals; review of new grant and gift agreements; setting up new grant awards and maintaining appropriate documentation; working with stakeholders to ensure grant policy compliance; tracking grant deliverables and milestones; preparing and reviewing donor financial reports.  He/She will be responsible for the maintenance of financial records related to grant awards, including data entry and integrity of award data in the financial system. S/he will draft donor financial reports in a prompt and accurate manner. The candidate will work closely with finance and development staff across the institution to ensure that grants and contracts are in compliance with regulatory, funding agency, and policy requirements by ensuring that proper documentation is provided in award documents for accurate project set-up.  This candidate will be able to leverage professional experience to provide valuable insights and influence team members effectively. 

Post-Award Administration (80%)

• Independently review grant agreement terms and conditions and record key details for award compliance

• Work with the Director of Grants and Contracts during award negotiation to ensure that the most accurate and up to date award documents are being reviewed prior to Institutional acceptance.

• Manage requests for post-award amendments, budget re-allocations, no-cost extensions and advance award setups

• Maintains Workday grant records and responsible for new award data entry including setting up new projects and activities as assigned.

• Maintains award documentation (electronically) in an accurate, efficient and consistent manner.

• Maintains accurate internal tracking logs with new award and donor specific information.

• Utilizes Workday reporting tools to identify and extract key performance indicators.

• Creates ad-hoc Workday invoicing as needed.

• Record, monitor and tracks milestone deliverables and deadlines to completion.

• Works collaboratively with Accounting staff and Program Finance staff answering questions and providing basic support of managing active awards within full compliance of the Institution’s donor guidelines and internal policies and procedures.

• Coordinate with research program finance teams to monitor spending on grant awards.

Proposal Administration (10%)

• Supports the Director of Grants and Contracts during proposal routing and review process by ensuring that complete proposal packages are ready for review, communicating with Program Finance staff on any follow up materials needed and on the status of proposal packages.

• Prepares standard forms required by Donors for proposal submission including standard Federal forms.

• Works independently with the program staff during proposal stage to ensure that the most accurate and up to date proposal documents are being reviewed prior to Institutional acceptance.

General Administration (10%)

• Troubleshoots Workday issues related to Award Set Up and Grants-related reporting and formulates solutions.

• Provides support during grant and year-end audits by gathering award files and documentation as requested.

• Serve as admin support to Director of Grants for Workday Learning modules and compliance trainings; works to formulate and lead trainings and guidance for staff related to grants management

• Support Other duties and projects as assigned.

Qualifications

Ready to make an impact? In this role, you will support Brookings values of collegiality, respect, inclusion, diversity and community, and bring the following qualifications: 

Education/Experience Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent combination of education and experience required, degree in accounting or related business degree preferred. Minimum four years of relevant work experience required.Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Grants Management Specialist (CGMS) or Certificate in Research Administration (CRA) preferred. Experience in Workday ERP systems highly desired. Federal grants experience a plus. Experience at a non-profit organization desired. Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. 

Knowledge/Skills Requirements

Must possess expertise in interpreting and applying donor rules and regulations, including Uniform Guidance of U.S. Government (USG) agencies and non-USG funders, to ensure compliance across all grant-funded activities. The ideal candidate will possess strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously, maintaining exceptional attention to detail and accuracy. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Outlook, Word, and Powerpoint is essential. The candidate must be able to perform effectively, efficiently, delivering high-quality work under tight deadlines while managing multiple priorities. Excellent data visualization skills, along with strong communication, interpersonal and customer service abilities are required. The candidate should also have demonstrated analytical and problem-solving abilities, flexibility to thrive in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities, and high degree of professionalism, including maintaining strict confidentiality.

Additional Information 

What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous time off, and workplace flexibility. For more information, please visit Brookings Benefits.   

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document when you apply. Please note: if you have applied to more than one Brookings job opening you should add a position-specific cover letter as a separate attachment. 

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment at Brookings. 

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms.  We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.