Grant Operations Lead - Pre-Award & Processes

Kindora; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance (Foundation pays 90%

Dental and Vision Plans

401(k) plan with employer contribution

Flexible spending accounts

Life and disability insurance

Vacation & Personal Days

Flexible work environment

Job summary

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research is seeking a Senior Grant Operations Specialist to join the Research Operations team in New York City.

The role acts as the operational lead for pre-award funding, coordinating RFAs, RFPs, and related grant initiatives to ensure high-quality applicant and reviewer experiences. Reporting to the Director of Grantmaking Operations, you will translate programmatic strategies into executable plans, manage complex funding opportunities end-to-end,

Qualifications

• Experience as a project manager or operational lead for complex funding programs.
• Experience coordinating RFAs, RFPs, grant competitions, and peer reviews.
• Ability to manage timelines, mitigate risks, and deliver outcomes.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management across teams.
• Analytical mindset to identify issues and propose solutions.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced grantmaking environment.
• Proficiency with grants management systems such as SmartSimple.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate operational planning and execution for funding opportunities (RFAs, RFPs, targeted funding).
• Develop and maintain project plans, track timelines, and manage milestones.
• Oversee pre-award lifecycle activities including intake, scientific review, and funding recommendations.
• Create SOPs, templates, checklists, and resources with leadership.
• Collaborate with scientific staff to implement funding strategies into workflows.
• Serve as primary operations contact for applicants, reviewers, and external stakeholders.
• Apply processes consistently and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and user experience.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across scientific, finance, tech, and communications.

Skills

Project management

Grantmaking experience

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Grants management systems

SmartSimple

Tools

SmartSimple

Microsoft Office

Project management software

Job description

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research is seeking a Senior Grant Operations Specialist to join the Research Operations team in New York City.

The role acts as the operational lead for pre-award funding, coordinating RFAs, RFPs, and related grant initiatives to ensure high-quality applicant and reviewer experiences. Reporting to the Director of Grantmaking Operations, you will translate programmatic strategies into executable plans, manage complex funding opportunities end-to-end,