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Research to Prevent Blindness

Assistant to the Director of Grants Management

Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) is the leading nonprofit organization supporting eye research directed at the prevention, treatment, or eradication of all diseases that damage and destroy sight. As part of this purview, RPB supports efforts to grow and sustain a robust vision research community. Since it was founded in 1960 by Dr. Jules Stein, RPB has awarded more than $441 million in research grants to the most talented vision scientists at the nation’s leading medical schools. As a result, RPB has been associated with nearly every major breakthrough in the understanding and treatment of vision loss in the past 66 years. Learn more at www.rpbusa.org.

Assistant to the Director of Grants Management

Grants Management Department

Full-time Position – Hybrid

Position Summary

The primary role of the Assistant to the Grants Management Director will be to support all aspects of the Organization’s growing, fast-paced grantmaking process. The employee will work as part of a collaborative team to ensure that applications and grants are successfully processed in compliance with all grantmaking policies, procedures, and deadlines. Additionally, the Assistant to the Director of Grants Management will coordinate special awards and progress report submissions and reviews. This will include working with the applicants, grantees, and reviewers to ensure all documents/materials are distributed, assigned, and submitted in a timely manner. This position reports to the Director of Grants Management.

Responsibilities

Assist with the grantmaking process and provide collaboration between RPB’s scientific reviewers, staff, and grantees to implement all grantmaking activities smoothly; responsibilities include:

Ø  Consistently follow established policies, procedures, and workflows, maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and documentation; ensuring compliance with all of RPB’s grant-making policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Ø  Support and review application submissions; ensure all requirements are met; and verify the accuracy and completeness of organizational records, applications, and related supporting documentation.

Ø  Assist with the preparation and distribution of application assignments and additional materials to various review committees, and conduct internet searches to identify reviewers and their contact information.

Ø  Assist with the preparation and distribution of guidelines and request mid-term reports from grantees and awardees, including follow-ups.

Ø  Track and process mid-term scientific reports while ensuring all documents are properly included in the organization’s records.

Ø  Assist with planning and executing review committee meetings, including logistics, docket preparation, and distribution of materials for each meeting.

Ø  Support daily workflows to ensure efficient grant and reporting processes; provide responsive support and troubleshooting to internal staff and external partners. Maintain appropriate electronic and physical files related to all aspects of the grant cycle.

Ø  Support the Director of Grants Management in processing grantees' Annual Financial Reports.

Ø  Collaborate within the Grants Management team, cross-train with other team members, and coordinate with departments across the organization.

Ø  Provide timely and professional assistance to internal staff and external partners.

Ø  Help maintain the accuracy and integrity of data entered into RPB’s Grant Management System, including data cleanup and ongoing quality control.

Ø  Assist the Director of Grants Management in performing additional duties and special projects as needed.

The duties listed above are intended as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education:

A bachelor’s degree is preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Internet, Blackbaud, Zoom, and Webex is valuable and desirable.

Experience: 

The ideal candidate will have at least 3 years of experience in administration and/or grants management at a philanthropic, nonprofit, or related organization. Knowledge of grants management and reporting software, specifically Blackbaud and/or GIFTS online, is desirable, as is proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) applications and internet research.

Skills: 

This individual will be dependable, detail-oriented, organized, teamwork-oriented, and adaptable, with proven precision, accountability, consistency, and follow-through skills. The candidate should possess strong organizational skills combined with commitment to established procedures, resourcefulness, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines. The ability to maintain and respect the confidentiality of sensitive information related to grant recommendations, grantees, donors, office communications, and matters in general is required.  Because the role involves regular interactions with our team, grantees, and other constituents, this individual must possess excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills and be a good listener.

Character: 

The successful candidate will be able to understand and consider organizational culture and change and possess strong personal accountability.  The individual must have an “all-hands-on-deck,” information-sharing, conscientious, and collaborative approach with commitment to continually improve knowledge and effectiveness within the responsibilities of the role. Success in this role depends on exceptional attention to detail and careful review of documentation.  The successful candidate takes pride in producing consistently accurate work with minimal supervision.

Organizational Environment:

RPB prides itself on maintaining a positive working environment. The ideal candidate will thrive in a small-staff organization where collaboration, flexibility, and mutual support are essential. They should be comfortable working in a collegial, team-oriented environment, building positive relationships with coworkers, and contributing wherever needed to support the organization's mission and day-to-day operations. The ideal candidate will enjoy making a meaningful contribution to a mission-driven organization that supports research that improves vision health.

Compensation

This position has a salary range of $65,000 to $72,000, reflecting a position based in New York. Please note that this actual salary is commensurate with experience and reflects the budget for a given position.

In addition, RPB offers a competitive compensation package with unusually generous benefits. RPB presently pays for all health insurance premiums for the employee and 70% of health insurance premiums for qualified dependents; contributes the equivalent of 25% of an employee’s salary into a 401(k) plan after completing one year of employment; and provides the equivalent of 5% of an employee’s salary for out-of-pocket medical expenses, after the waiting period. Some benefit provisions may change over time.

Research to Prevent Blindness is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply for this position.

Research to Prevent Blindness is partnering with BSBSearch on this search. Please email a cover letter and resume in confidence to:

Barbara Brown

Managing Director

BSBSearch