WHAT YOU’LL DO
The Investments Program Manager will own the operations for Stanford Impact Labs' investment approach. This role will support the Director of Investments in managing our growing grant portfolio of $25m invested into over 40 different teams of researchers and practitioners working on some of society’s hardest social problems. In carrying out their duties, the Program Manager will work closely with SIL’s Program Officer and Impact & Learning Manager to design and execute operational improvements to help the investment team work more efficiently and effectively.
This job could be an excellent fit for a number of different profiles, including people who are passionate about operations in mission-driven organizations or early-career candidates who want to build a career within philanthropy, evidence-informed policy, research, public policy or social change.
Core duties include:
● Investment Operations Management: You will independently implement, manage and improve the operations of SIL’s investment process. You will administer the application process from end to end (from initial request for proposals to the signing of award agreements) and manage portfolio reporting. You demonstrate independence, initiative, and judgment in tracking deadlines, organizing documents, scheduling meetings and coordinating logistics. To support how we direct our limited funding, you will recruit and engage over 75 subject matter experts annually, managing the budget and approving expenditures.
● Continuous process improvement & knowledge management for investments: You will be constantly looking for operational improvements to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the investments team. This will require collecting and analyzing data, writing reports, reviewing and explaining trends; formulating and evaluating alternative solutions, proposing and implementing recommendations to achieve the investment team’s goals.You will revise and implement procedures for the Investments team, maintain our internal knowledge management systems (on google drive and salesforce), keeping it well organized and up-to-date, and foster a culture of learning & experimentation to improve investment operations.
● Represent the Investments team within SIL and beyond: You will manage our investment team’s work with other functions at Stanford Impact Labs (including Innovation & Partnerships, Finance People & Administration, and Communications) to ensure smooth information flow and on-time execution. You will chair meetings and follow up on action items. From time to time, you may also represent the Investments team within Stanford and beyond–for example, by engaging with requests from Stanford's Office of Development and both learning from and sharing our expertise with others within Stanford & operations staff of other philanthropic funders.
● Supporting due diligence: You will support the Program Officer and Director of Investments in conducting background research, attending interviews and drafting memos for our due diligence into the 50+ applications we receive each year.
CORE DUTIES:
- Independently implement, administer and evaluate day-to-day activities of the unit, function or program by identifying and executing tasks and objectives, making recommendations that impact policies and programs, and assigning resources to achieve the goals of the program.
- Collect and analyze data, create reports, review and explain trends; formulate and evaluate alternative solutions and/or recommendations to achieve the goals of the program or function.
- Analyze and interpret policies; develop, revise and implement procedures for program or function.
- Represent the program or function as the key contact and subject matter expert within the department, unit or school. Commit resources and provide information and/or training. May also represent the program or function to external/internal stakeholders and constituencies.
- Organize and/or participate in outreach activities that may include developing communications and training, planning/promoting events and/or conferences.
- May participate in development of budgets, monitor, and approve expenditures. May perform limited forecasting and provide recommendations that determine the budget.
- May direct staff to perform various tasks and assignments. May also supervise staff.
WHO YOU ARE
You have:
● You have an undergraduate degree and at least 2 years of relevant work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
● You are meticulous, detailed-oriented, and organized. You have project management experience and a demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple priorities and deadlines in dynamic environments.
● You have a passion for Stanford Impact Labs’ mission, vision and values.
● You solve problems. You have demonstrated creativity, critical analysis, initiative, judgment, and decision-making skills. You are able to overcome obstacles and accomplish goals. You are focused on results, and willing to try new approaches to achieve those results.
● You are eager to learn and improve. You have demonstrated experience proactively finding opportunities to improve the efficiency of processes in pursuit of an overarching goal.
● You are self-motivated and take initiative. You have demonstrated your willingness to roll up your sleeves and complete the small tasks, as well as the large ones.
● You are a clear communicator and structured thinker. You have demonstrated superb communication skills, including synthesizing, interpreting, and presenting complex information to a variety of audiences, both in writing and verbally.
● You build effective relationships. You have demonstrated the ability to influence colleagues at all levels and collaborate effectively across functions. You share information and resources generously, and work for mutual success with internal and external partners.
No candidate will meet every requirement. We encourage applications from people who are a good fit - through work experience, volunteering, and other personal experiences - and who will grow and thrive in this position.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $69,100.00 - $120,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Experience level:
Schedule:
Ability to Commute:
- Stanford, CA 94305 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Stanford, CA 94305: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Stanford, CA 94305