Grants & Operations Director

La2050; Los Angeles (CA); Remote; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Nature Nexus Institute is looking for a passionate Grants & Operations Director to lead grant writing and financial management. This fully remote role requires strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills, with a proven background in grant funding and operational oversight. Ideal candidates will have a deep appreciation for nature-based programs and community stewardship.

Qualifications

• Three years of grant writing/management experience with Federal/State grants.
• Two years of business operations experience including payroll and bookkeeping.
• Exceptional interpersonal, writing, and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Identify and solicit grant funding from various sources.
• Manage grant proposals, budgets, and reporting.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director on financial statements and budget projections.

Skills

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Research skills

Education

Minimum three years grant writing/management experience

Minimum two years business operations experience

Tools

Google Suite

MS Word

Excel

Job description

Established in 2021, Nature Nexus Institute (NNI) is a growing non-profit organization dedicated to providing nature education, youth leadership training, and community-nature programs in LA County. NNI is founded on the belief that reciprocity between communities and nature is essential to the survival of both. We seek to provide equitable and intergenerational entry points to cultivating healthy community-nature relationships. We strive to be a nexus for science, culture, art, and research endeavors that result in a new generation of change-makers and storytellers.

About this job

The Grants & Operations Director is a full-time, remote position that reports to the Executive Director. The position requires an experienced grant writer with a strong understanding of grant administration processes and general operations/finance management. The Grants & Operations Director will support Nature Nexus Institute (NNI) program capacity building and funding needs by stewarding foundation, corporate, and government grants to meet our growing organization’s budget requirements.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Grants Management

• Identify, cultivate, and solicit grant funding from corporations, foundations, and government grants to support NNI’s annual operating budget of $700k+.

• Generate high-quality proposals, narratives, applications and supporting documents in response to solicitations consistent with all policies and procedures of NNI, and the requirements and guidelines of the funding agencies.

• Initiate and manage all grants and contracts, including grant writing, budget preparation, invoicing, and operational oversight of grant tasks, status reports and closeout reports.

• Work closely with Executive Director/Program Directors on grant task tracking requirements and staff hours/pacing to guarantee all grant tasks are completed within grant timelines.

• Collaborate with Development staff as needed.

Operations/Finance

• Update program budgets with Executive Director as needed.

• Collaborate with Executive Director in preparing annual and 3-year budget projections.

• Review monthly financial statements prepared by Accountant, and assist Accountant with annual 990 preparation. Review accounting documents with Executive Director and Board at quarterly Board meetings.

• Manage light bookkeeping/accounts payable, and track cash flow.

• Initiate annual renewal of organization insurance policies, and additional insured certificates.

• Maintain and update employee handbook using the Mineral automated update tool.

• Manage employee onboarding and exit processing (payroll set up/benefits onboarding).

• Disseminate annual employee benefit updates -Medical, Dental plans provided by insurance agent, and 401k plan updates provided by ADP.

• Other duties and special projects as assigned and needed by organization.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three (3) years of grant writing/management of Federal/State grants, and budget development.

• Minimum of 2 years of basic business operations experience; payroll, insurance, light bookkeeping.

• Highly organized, creative, strategic, and able to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines.

• Excellent writing, analytical, math, and research skills.

• Proficiency in Google Suite, MS Word, Excel.

• Experience using online databases and other resources to locate grant funding sources.

• Possess exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with all levels of staff, Board members, and grantors.

• Have an interest in and value nature-based programming that supports youth leadership and community-based stewardship.

To apply

To Apply: Please submit a single PDF document that includes: 1) a one-page cover letter, 2) resume, via email to: [e-mail] and make sure to address any pertinent experience, including professional and personal experience, that is relevant to this position.

Timeline: Application deadline is July 15, 2025. Calls for interviews will occur the week of July 28, 2025.

Only people selected for interviews will be contacted. No recruiters or phone calls please.