Learning Systems Program Manager Jobs in Minnesota

Grantmaking Program Manager  
Title: Grantmaking Program Manager 
Job code: 8223GG 
Employee Group:  Civil Service (exempt) Full/Part Time (FTE): Full Time (100% FTE) 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
About the Job 

The University of Minnesotas Institute on the Environment (IonE) is seeking a Grantmaking Program Manager to lead the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Institutes grantmaking portfolio. This position manages the full lifecycle of IonEs competitive funding programs including Impact Goals Grants, Mini Grants, and other strategic funding opportunities from program design and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) through application review, award administration, stewardship, reporting, evaluation, and closeout. 
 

Working collaboratively across IonEs leadership, research, communications, finance, and administrative teams, the Grantmaking Program Manager serves as the central operational lead for IonEs grantmaking portfolio coordinating complex funding cycles, supporting applicants, reviewers, coaches, and funded project teams, and maintaining the authoritative record of the funded portfolio. This position also advances IonEs strategic commitment to outcomes and impact by developing the metrics, analysis, and reporting that demonstrate portfolio results and inform future funding decisions. Professionals with experience as Program Officers, Program Representatives, Grants Managers, or similar grantmaking roles in foundation, nonprofit, or government funding organizations will find many familiar elements in this position.  
The Ideal Candidate 
The ideal candidate is an organized project manager, analytical thinker, and relationship builder who enjoys running complex processes exceptionally well while continually looking for ways to improve them. They are naturally curious about the people, ideas, and projects that make up the portfolio and are energized by identifying opportunities to strengthen programs, enhance participant experiences, and increase organizational impact. 

They balance strategic thinking with operational excellence - keeping one eye on the long-term evolution of IonEs grantmaking portfolio while ensuring the day-to-day work is executed with consistency, accuracy, and efficiency. Comfortable navigating both ambiguity and detail, they embrace continuous learning, seek out opportunities for innovation, and build scalable systems that support the portfolio as it evolves. As IonEs grantmaking portfolio expands in scope and complexity through future funding opportunities and institutional priorities, this position offers meaningful opportunities for the successful candidate to assume broader strategic leadership and organizational impact.   
 

Informational Job Webinar

Register to attend an informational webinar hosted by the supervisor for this position, Director of Administration & Operations April Deinken. We'll share more about the role, what it's like to work at IonE, and answer questions submitted by prospective applicants through the Zoom registration form.

Attendance is completely optional and does not factor into consideration of your application. The webinar is simply an opportunity to learn more about the position and IonE, and to help you determine whether the role feels like a good mutual fit. 

• When: Wednesday, Sept. 9, 4:00 - 4:45 p.m. CST
• Where: Zoom, webinar format
• Link to Register 

Salary

The salary range for this position is $74k - $86k/yr ($35.65/hr - $41.53/hr). IonE uses a structured compensation approach that considers a positions salary range as well as a candidates relevant experience, skills, and demonstrated proficiency when determining starting salary. 
 

This hiring range reflects an entry-to-intermediate proficiency level for the position. Candidates entering the role may still be developing some position-specific knowledge and skills, while candidates placed toward the higher end of the hiring range would be expected to demonstrate greater proficiency and independence in the core competencies of the position. Employees may progress through the positions broader salary range over time as they develop greater proficiency and independence, with salary increases considered through the Universitys annual merit process and compensation processes.

Work Schedule & Authorization

Work hours are standard office hours, MF. IonE and the Research and Innovation Office endorse a work with flexibility approach that offers a welcoming and flexible work environment where everyone is inspired to do their best. 

This position has been designated as eligible for flexible work profile 2: Profile 2 is expected to work in the office at least 3 days per week (Mon, Wed, Thu), and typically working remotely 1-2 days per week (Tue, Fri). Your office location will be located at 1954 Buford Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55108. IonE management retains the right to modify flexible work arrangement agreements on a temporary or permanent basis for any reason at any time. 

The candidate must reside locally; IonE can potentially provide up to $1,500 of relocation assistance for the ideal candidate. If you currently reside out-of-state and are willing to relocate to the Mpls-St.Paul area, please indicate as much in your cover letter. 
 

Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States. IonE is unable to provide employment-based visa sponsorship for this position.  
Responsibilities
Grantmaking Program Management (50%) 
Run the funding cycles: Lead IonEs competitive funding programs from program design through award notification, maintaining the systems that keep those cycles consistent and repeatable. 

• Develop and manage the annual grantmaking calendar, establishing timelines, priorities, and dependencies across IonEs funding portfolio 
• Develop and refine RFPs, application materials, review criteria, award documentation, Terms & Conditions, and reporting requirements 
• Coordinate application and review processes, including recruiting and orienting reviewers, matching reviewers to proposals based on expertise and conflicts of interest, developing award recommendations, and award notifications 
• Develop resources, guidance, tools, and training materials that enable applicants, reviewers, and coaches to participate successfully throughout the funding lifecycle 
• Develop and maintain the workflows, templates, standard operating procedures, and records that promote consistency and continuity across grantmaking programs 
• Collaborate with leadership, research, communications, finance, and administrative staff to align funding cycles with IonE priorities and operational capacity 
• Continuously assess grantmaking processes and participant experiences, identifying opportunities to improve funding models, eligibility criteria, policies, and practices that strengthen the effectiveness, accessibility, equity, and overall participant experience of IonEs grantmaking programs 

Award Stewardship & Portfolio Records (30%) 
Steward funded projects: Serve as the primary relationship holder for funded teams and keep the record of the portfolio accurate and current. 

• Serve as the primary point of contact for applicants, reviewers, coaches, and funded project teams throughout the funding lifecycle 
  Coordinate award setup, reporting schedules, amendments, no-cost extensions, rebudget requests, and project closeout 
• Monitor project progress, budgets, expenditures, and compliance with award requirements, proactively engaging with project teams to support timely reporting and milestone completion 
• Maintain the authoritative record of funded projects, including updating IonEs public-facing project directory throughout the lifecycle, in accordance with web content standards 
• Partner with IonEs public interest communications team by providing regular updates on project milestones, findings, and other storytelling opportunities, and by flagging project directory changes that affect editorial content 
• Coordinate the collection of project outputs, photos, testimonials, and other assets that support impact reporting and storytelling 
• Coordinate grant coaching meetings, workshops, and other stewardship activities that support funded teams 

Portfolio Evaluation & Reporting (20%) 
Measure and communicate impact: Develop the metrics and analyses that show what the portfolio produces and inform what it funds next. 

• Develop and refine portfolio-wide metrics, evaluation frameworks, and reporting processing aligned with IonEs strategic priorities 
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative portfolio data to identify trends, outcomes, and opportunities for continuous improvement 
• Produce reports and portfolio analyses that inform leadership decisions and provide evidence of the Institutes impact to internal and external audiences 
• Assess portfolio performance and outcomes to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and inform future funding priorities and program design 
• Identify emerging themes and success stories across the grant portfolio to inform strategic planning and communications 
   

General Responsibilities 
 

• Like all IonE staff, the Grantmaking Program Manager participates in IonE-wide initiatives, staff meetings, events, and professional development activities; contributes to a collaborative, inclusive, and service-oriented organizational culture; and performs other duties as assigned. 

Strong candidates will demonstrate... 

• A track record of running deadline-driven processes from start to finish: cycles, cohorts, or campaigns that shipped on time, repeatedly 
• A commitment to follow-through on the unglamorous middle: chasing late reports, closing loops, keeping records current without being asked 
• The ability to serve as the primary point of contact for a complex portfolio while remaining responsive, organized, and composed across multiple stakeholders and competing priorities 
• A strong service orientation toward the people inside of a process; ensuring applicants, reviewers, and grantees experience interactions as helpful, clear, and fair 
• A habit of documenting work and improving systems as they go, leaving processes stronger and more sustainable over time 
• Fluency moving between operational detail and strategic perspective, recognizing patterns in portfolio data and communicating insights clearly to diverse audiences 
• Sound judgment about when to resolve issues independently, when to seek input, and when to escalate concerns 
• Curiosity and a continuous improvement mindset, with a proactive approach to building relationships and developing a deep understanding of the people, projects, and outcomes across the portfolio to effectively represent the work and identify opportunities to strengthen programs over time. 
   

Required Qualifications 

• BA/BS degree plus at least four years of relevant professional experience, or a combination of related education and work experience totaling eight years 
• Experience managing multi-phase programs, funding cycles, or similarly complex processes involving hard deadlines and multiple stakeholders 
• Experience administering grants, awards, contracts, or other funded agreements from either the grantmaking or grant-seeking perspective  
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain organized records, workflows, documentation, and operational systems 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience producing clear guidance or reports for varied audiences 
• Proficiency with common productivity and data tools (e.g., Google Workspace, Excel/Sheets) and the ability to learn new platforms quickly 
   

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience in a university, research, philanthropic, or nonprofit funding environment 
• Experience designing or improving requests for proposals (RFPs), review processes, or reporting requirements 
• Experience with survey and data-collection tools (e.g., Qualtrics) and analyzing qualitative and quantitative program data 
• Experience developing metrics, basic data analysis, dashboards, or evaluation frameworks to assess program or portfolio performance and impact 
• Familiarity with sponsored-projects administration, research compliance requirements, or University of Minnesota financial systems 
• Experience leading process improvement initiatives or developing scalable operational systems 
• Interest in environmental and sustainability work and the mission of the Institute on the Environment

The University of Minnesota's Institute on the Environment (IonE) is a nationally recognized interdisciplinary institution that works to advance sustainability through collaborative research, leadership and education programming, and public-interest storytelling and communications.