Grants Manager -- THG

The Company
THG is a single-family office that provides investment, financial planning, and philanthropic services to a family and its related investment entities, trusts, and private foundations. Services are provided through a combination of in-house professionals and outsourced advisory firms. 

The Position  

THG is seeking a full-time Grants Manager to lead grants management processes for the philanthropic programs of THG and the family’s foundation–the Caerus Foundation, Inc. This includes pre- through post-award management for a high volume of grants. The position reports to THG’s Director of Philanthropy. The Caerus Foundation focuses its grantmaking in the areas of Arts, Community Development, Education, the Environment, and Global Health.

Responsibilities  

The Grants Manager oversees grantee and prospective grantee partners’ full grant cycle, including the application process, database management, grant documentation, and grant compliance. Serving as a key link between THG’s program, finance, and technology departments, the Grants Manager is responsible for maintaining robust and effective workflow processes to ensure quality, consistency, and timeliness.  

Grantmaking Processes   

• Facilitate operations through all stages of the grant cycle, and manage all aspects of process implementation  
• Work internally to define and maintain workflows and keep program staff updated on progress 
• Serve as key point of contact for applicants and grantees regarding submission of applications and reports  
• Track and confirm that application materials are complete when submitted  
• Maintain grant cycle calendar on behalf of foundation staff  
• Work with program staff to prepare and develop quarterly grantmaking meeting materials
• Maintain an operations manual and provide clear instructions on grant procedures to both grantees and staff 

Database Management 

• Support and eventually lead grants management software transition to a new system,  optimizing functionality to improve efficiency, workflow, and inter-department communications 
• Serve as systems administrator for a robust database, always maintaining high data integrity for grantee records and files  
• Ensure that grants management software is being fully utilized and maintained, including  software add-ons  
• Maintain relationship with software vendor(s) and oversee contract renewals for all system  related software  
• Work to continuously improve system functionality and integration, as needed by foundation staff  
• Educate and train staff on grants management system, as needed 
• Provide technical assistance to applicants with online application and reporting processes  

Award Management   

• Prepare all grantee correspondence and manage the internal logistics of all processed  contracts/agreements  
• Work with program staff to determine grant payment schedules, reporting deadlines, and recognition requirements  
• Serve as key contact for questions/comments on agreements with grantees, vendors, and  other partners. Coordinate with internal stakeholders (e.g., internal counsel), as applicable.
• Partner with finance team to process payments for all grant awards, ensuring full compliance with internal controls 
• Partner with finance team regarding foundation audit requirements and grant projection reporting  
• Support program leads and grantees to ensure compliance with grant agreements, project-specific requirements, and successful project implementation 
• Provide accurate grant data/information to foundation and finance staff  

Additional Responsibilities  

• Communicate with diverse stakeholders (e.g., nonprofit agencies, public and private funders) regarding the Foundation’s grantmaking priorities, guidelines, and proposal review processes
• Support periodic website updates applicable vendor management needs
• Participate in weekly team meetings to discuss operational matters, grants, new projects, etc. 
• Work directly with senior leadership on Board-related requests outside the typical scope of the Foundation’s grantmaking  
• Provide additional support to program staff, as required

Required Qualifications and Core Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years of professional work experience in foundation administration and/or grants management. Family office experience is a strong plus.
• Proficiency in philanthropic grant processes and related systems, including financial reporting and Microsoft Office Suite. Experience in Salesforce and other grants management platforms is strongly preferred.
• Superb attention to detail 
• Excellent administrative and project management skills 
• Strong internal motivation, with the ability to effectively and efficiently set priorities and independently manage multiple tasks under minimal supervision 
• Excellent written, verbal, collaborative, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills  
• High level of responsiveness with the ability to shift priorities quickly and as organizational demands require  
• High level of discretion in maintaining confidentiality of information  
• Committed to ongoing learning and professional and personal development 
• Professional, flexible, and a can-do attitude 

Compensation and Benefits

The starting salary for the Grants Manager position will be in the $90,000 -$100,000 range. THG provides a generous comprehensive compensation package, including medical insurance, paid time off, 401k, annual incentives, and more.

Work Environment

THG maintains a hybrid office environment out of THG’s Northbrook, Illinois office. Reliable transportation is required. 

Application Process

This is a rolling search; prospective candidates are encouraged to submit their materials via this site by March 14, 2025, but the application will remain open until the position is filled by a qualified candidate.

Posted February 26, 2025.