Administrator, Climate Solutions (MF)

MacArthur Foundation; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation seeks a Team Administrator in Chicago to support the Climate Solutions team. The role reports to the Team Leader and ensures efficient workflow, budget monitoring, and cross-team communications.

You will assist with grants, prepare budgets, coordinate consultations, and help manage Board materials. Strong writing, budgeting, and coordination skills are essential, with a bachelor’s degree or 6+ years experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or minimum six years of relevant experience.
• Comfortable working in a team environment.
• Able to take initiative and work proactively.
• Strong interpersonal communication and leadership skills.
• Excellent writing, editing, organizational, and verbal communication skills.
• Able to effectively communicate in written and oral format with both internal and external contacts.
• Facility in working with budgets and budgeting.
• Organized and able to think and work independently with little direct supervision.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Prepare Grant and Administrative budgets, review budget forecast, and make adjustments throughout the year.
• Assist Team Leader with the progress of grants, including proposals, briefs, and reports, and tracking through different GMS stages.
• Liaise with grants management staff.
• Interact with, provide guidance to, and respond to questions from grantees and others.
• Schedule and coordinate expert consultations.
• Participate in meetings and serve as recorder of critical tasks, discussions, and decisions.
• Perform writing assignments as needed.
• Coordinate document and information management tasks that add value for the Team.
• Manage the production of Board materials.
• Liaise with Research Specialists as needed.
• Liaise with other Teams and Departments as needed.
• Assist with orientation of new Team members.

Skills

Team environment

Initiative

Interpersonal communication

Writing and editing

Budgeting

Microsoft Outlook/Word/Excel

Education

Bachelor’s degree or 6+ years experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation supports creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. MacArthur is placing a few big bets that truly significant progress is possible on some of the world’s most pressing social challenges, including over-incarceration , global climate change , nuclear risk , and significantly increasing financial capital for the social sector . In addition to the MacArthur Fellows Program , the Foundation continues its historic commitments to the role of journalism in a responsible and responsive democracy, as well as the strength and vitality of our headquarters city, Chicago .

MacArthur is one of the nation's largest independent foundations. Organizations supported by the Foundation work in about 50 countries. In addition to Chicago, MacArthur has offices in India , Mexico , and Nigeria .

About the Department

The overall goal of the Climate Solutions program is to ensure that global temperature rise stays well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. To achieve that goal, the Climate Solutions team has developed a strategy premised on the idea that if the United States, India and China exert global leadership on climate change, other nations will be compelled to act. Leadership can come from multiple sectors – government, private sector and civil society – and will be demonstrated through policies, actions, and investments in these three countries that decrease the carbon-intensity of their economies, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and build political will and public demand for climate solutions.

The Team Administrator is an integral and active part of the Team’s Core Group, which includes active participation in meetings, seminars, site visits, etc. The Team Administrator works closely with the Team Leader to ensure efficient workflow and communications across the Team and reports to the Team Leader.

Job Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepare Grant and Administrative budgets, review budget forecast, and make adjustments throughout the year
• Assist Team Leader with the progress of grants, including proposals, briefs, and reports, and tracking through different GMS stages
• Liaise with grants management staff
• Interact with, provide guidance to, and respond to questions from grantees and others
• Schedule and coordinate expert consultations
• Participate in meetings and serve as recorder of critical tasks, discussions, and decisions
• Perform writing assignments as needed
• Coordinate document and information management tasks that add value for the Team
• Manage the production of Board materials
• Liaise with Research Specialists as needed
• Liaise with other Teams and Departments as needed
• Assist with orientation of new Team members

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage special projects and workflow as requested
• Work with Team Coordinators to ensure smooth and efficient operation for Team
• Serve as back-up to Team Coordinator and participate in cross-training
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree, or a minimum of six years of relevant experience
• Comfortable working in a team environment
• Able to take initiative and work proactively
• Strong interpersonal communication and leadership skills
• Excellent writing, editing, organizational, and verbal communication skills
• Able to effectively communicate in written and oral format with both internal and external contacts
• Facility in working with budgets and budgeting
• Organized and able to think and work independently with little direct supervision
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel