Manager, Grants and Operations

Inside Philanthropy; Newark, Northern (NJ, KY); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 119,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Commuter stipend

Job summary

IntermediaryEd is hiring its first Manager, Operations and Grants, a key hire who will help build the systems to deploy grant funds and support the foundation’s operations with rigor from day one. This role is intentionally shaped in two phases, and candidates should be excited by both.

Phase 1 focuses on building infrastructure and scalable processes, with AI integrated into workflows. Phase 2 evolves grants management as the organization grows, expanding into broader operational

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of grants management or related admin/project management in a foundation/nonprofit.
• Thrives in a startup environment with evolving processes.
• Proficiency with GenAI and traditional tech tools, including grants systems.
• Ability to design and manage systems and processes and prioritize multiple projects.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities.
• Willingness to experiment, learn quickly, and adapt to changing needs.
• Able to work independently and with small teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; collaborate with leadership.
• Commitment to IntermediaryEd’s mission and values.

Responsibilities

• Design and build processes for administering grants from due diligence to reporting.
• Incorporate AI into the implementation strategy to improve workflows.
• Establish approach to knowledge management as organization grows.
• Partner with Finance, Legal, and Program teams to keep funding processes rigorous and compliant.
• Manage ongoing administration of grants and funding commitments.
• Oversee IT infrastructure and HR administrative workflows.
• Document internal SOPs and workflows for smooth handoffs.
• Collaborate to build and maintain data and analytics reporting.
• Lead or support project management of cross-functional initiatives.
• Handle evolving operational responsibilities including tech, talent, contracts, vendors, and finance.

Skills

Grant management

Startup mindset

GenAI familiarity

Data analysis

Project management

Communication

Adaptability

Independent work

Leadership

Tools

Grants management software

Job description

Reports To: Vice President, Operations

Team: Operations

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Internal Level: Manager

Location: Hybrid and in office in Newark, NJ

Base Salary Range: $100,400 - $119,400

Years of Experience: 5+ years

Title: Manager, Operations and Grants

About IntermediaryEd

More than a third of employed Americans struggle to make ends meet, and millions of young people never get the chance to realize their talent because our education, training, and employment systems don't meet their needs — even as employers struggle to fill open roles and AI reshapes the world of work. Philanthropy has a critical role to play in closing that gap, but it's rare for a new, major philanthropic institution to enter the field. That's exactly what IntermediaryEd is doing: a newly created foundation with a nearly half-billion-dollar endowment, built to help young people — especially those born into low-income households — prepare for and thrive in uplifting careers.

Led by founding CEO Rachel Korberg, IntermediaryEd is recruiting a founding team to build strategy, operations, and staff ahead of a public launch in early 2027. This is a rare chance to build a lasting institution from the ground up — to shape its culture, brand, systems, and impact, with emerging technology woven into its DNA from the start. We're looking for people energized by that kind of builder's work: comfortable with ambiguity and able to balance strategic and hands‑on leadership. Our team is driven by the chance to make a real difference — and to do it grounded in the values that define how we work: Care. Act. Learn.

The Opportunity

IntermediaryEd is hiring its first Manager, Operations and Grants (“Manager”), a key hire who will help build the systems to deploy grant funds and support the foundation’s operations with rigor from day one. This role is intentionally shaped in two phases, and candidates should be excited by both.

Phase 1: Building the infrastructure.

The Manager will help stand up the systems and processes for managing and administering IntermediaryEd’s funding commitments. With a technology‑first framework, AI will be treated as a core part of how the work gets done, not as a tool added on afterward. Alongside the funding infrastructure, the Manager will also help design and implement IntermediaryEd’s approach to knowledge management and take on project management for collaborative, cross‑functional initiatives as they arise.

Phase 2: Once infrastructure is in place, the role evolves.

This position is designed with the idea that grants management at a foundation of IntermediaryEd’s size will likely not require a dedicated, full‑time role. Over time, we expect grants management to become one part of a broader portfolio that encompasses the management of the day‑to‑day administrative infrastructure and internal workflows of the foundation. Projects may include knowledge management, development of KPI and impact dashboards, development and documentation of SOPs, and leadership on priority initiatives — a portfolio of projects that suits someone who wants variety and impact rather than a narrowly scoped, single‑function job.

This is a chance to help build a foundation's operational core from the ground up, and then grow with it, taking on a role that changes shape as IntermediarEd does.

Responsibilities

• Help design and build the processes and systems for administering grants and other funding commitments, from due diligence through disbursement and reporting.
• Incorporate AI into the implementation strategy, looking for intentional opportunities to build efficient, modern workflows.
• Help establish IntermediaryEd’s approach to knowledge management, ensuring institutional knowledge is captured and accessible as the organization grows.
• Partner closely with Finance, Legal, and the Program team to keep funding processes rigorous and compliant, supporting our financial and legal due diligence.
• Manage the ongoing administration of grants and funding commitments once core systems are in place.
• Manage IntermediaryEd’s operational functions including our IT infrastructure and HR administrative workflows.
• Develop and maintain the documentation of IntermediaryEd’s internal SOPs and workflows, ensuring strong collaboration and smooth handoffs across the organization.
• Collaborate across the organization to build and maintain a robust data and analytics program that delivers timely, relevant reporting to internal stakeholders.
• Lead or support the project management of cross‑functional initiatives.
• Take on a growing, evolving portfolio of operational responsibilities as IntermediaryEd’s needs shift over time, including technology, talent, contracts, vendors, and finance.

Qualifications

• Past work experience with grants management, and at least 5 years of experience in a related administrative or project management role in a foundation, nonprofit, or similar setting.
• Thrives in a startup environment, bringing sound judgment to situations where processes and priorities are still taking shape.
• Significant proficiency with emerging technology (GenAI) as well as with traditional technology and software tools including grants management database systems.
• Proven ability to develop and manage systems and processes, as well as organize and prioritize multiple complex projects and tasks.
• Excellent organizational and project management abilities.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills; demonstrated experience inputting and analyzing data; able to synthesize and present complex information.
• A willingness to experiment, learn quickly, and build new approaches to evolve the foundation.
• Comfortable working independently and collaboratively with and across IntermediaryEd’s small teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfort collaborating with leadership.
• Commitment to IntermediaryEd’s mission and values.

Location

This is a hybrid role that requires in‑person presence at IntermediaryEd's office in Newark, NJ every other Monday and two full days for quarterly planning meetings. Staff are also expected to attend additional in‑person meetings, events, or team gatherings, in Newark or elsewhere, including a multi‑day all‑staff retreat. IntermediaryEd provides all employees with a commuter stipend based on distance from Newark, NJ to help offset travel costs.