Vanguard Charitable

Senior Grants Specialist

The Senior Grants Specialist is a member of the Operations Team with specialized expertise in grantmaking policies, regulations, and systems. This role supervises daily grant activities and independently researches, reviews, and executes high dollar and high risk grants. The position ensures Vanguard Charitable exceeds donor grantmaking needs, particularly for Ultra High Net Worth donors and VIPs, while maintaining strict compliance with regulatory and organizational requirements. The role also leads and supports grants-related strategic and technology initiatives to drive growth, efficiency, and service excellence.

Essential Job Functions

• Maintain deep subject matter expertise in donor-advised fund grantmaking regulations, policies, and internal procedures; serve as a trusted resource and escalation point for complex grantmaking questions and scenarios. (20%)
• Oversee the full lifecycle of sensitive, high dollar, and high risk grants by conducting research, coordinating senior leadership and Board approvals, and partnering with Finance to ensure accurate, timely payment delivery and recordkeeping. (20%)
• Apply sophisticated judgment to ensure compliant and client-appropriate outcomes for Vanguard Charitable's most complex grantmaking scenarios, including serving as an escalation resource for operational and compliance challenges. (15%)
• Perform quality assurance across all grant types to ensure accuracy and compliance with applicable nonprofit sector regulations, including Internal Revenue Service and Office of Foreign Assets Control requirements, as well as Vanguard Charitable policies. (15%)
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with client-facing teams, including Private Philanthropy Group, to support excellent donor service, client satisfaction, and achievement of growth objectives for Ultra High Net Worth and VIP clients. (10%)
• Lead or support training, onboarding, and ongoing education within Operations by providing guidance on grant-related topics and maintaining accurate, up-to-date standard operating procedures and documentation. (10%)
• Support Operations leadership in coordinating daily grants operations, monitoring workflow and service delivery, and continuously identifying and implementing process improvement opportunities. (10%)

Qualifications

Education & Training

• Bachelor's degree required.

Licensure & Certification

• None required.

Knowledge, Skill, and Ability

• Knowledge of donor-advised fund grantmaking regulations, nonprofit compliance requirements, and internal grant governance processes.
• Skilled in researching, analyzing, and resolving complex and high-risk grantmaking scenarios.
• Skilled in quality assurance, risk identification, and compliance review across multiple grant types.
• Able to exercise independent judgment while balancing regulatory requirements, organizational policy, and client needs.
• Able to collaborate effectively with client-facing teams, Finance, Operations leadership, vendors, and external partners.
• Able to develop and deliver training and documentation to support operational consistency and knowledge growth.
• Skilled in process improvement and the use of grantmaking systems and desktop applications to drive efficiency and accuracy.
• Able to work independently while maintaining strong, collegial working relationships.

Experience

• Minimum of four years of relevant experience in the nonprofit, grantmaking, or financial services industry.