Director of Grants Management

Resources Legacy Fund builds the architecture behind lasting environmental progress. From climate resilience to land and water conservation to community well-being, we help visionary ideas take shape—offering the steady support and strategic know-how to turn complex challenges into collective victories.  

We deliver transformative outcomes for our planet and its people through trusted partnerships and creative campaigns. Rooted in California and expanding across Western North America and beyond, we have a 25-year track record of supporting initiatives at every scale. We also host fiscally sponsored projects that reach across the globe, reinforcing the efforts of change makers worldwide.   

Addressing three interconnected crises — climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental injustice — requires creativity, collaboration, and fast reflexes. With deep operational expertise and the confidence of donors and partners, we enable lasting solutions to rise.  

The Director of Grants Management provides strategic direction to and oversight of RLF’s grants management function, which processes approximately 1,000 outgoing grants and contracts totaling about $90 million annually. The Director designs and implements best practices, policies, and procedures for outgoing funds across all three related 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) entities (Resources Legacy Fund, Fund for a Better Future, and Shared Ascent Fund), their fiscally sponsored projects, and their donor advised funds.   

The Director leads a grants management team of approximately 20 staff, and plays an essential role in fostering a collaborative, transparent, and supportive culture within the team and across RLF.  

 We seek a director who is nimble and responsive to grantees and donors, while both modeling best practices and ensuring compliance with legal requirements. This position requires flexible thinking and an understanding of where there can be creativity in program administration versus when legal constraints or best practices indicate a specific course of action. This is particularly important when considering the practical implications of RLF’s commitment to values-based grantmaking.  

This is a remote, exempt position with U.S. travel as needed, at a minimum quarterly. It reports to the Chief Finance and Administration Officer (CFAO).  

• Champion grantmaking best practices and process improvements to increase efficiency, democratize data management, and improve data transparency.  

• Serve as a point of consistency across multiple programs and fiscally sponsored projects, and as the subject matter expert for policy and procedures related to grant and contract administration.   

• Serve as an important resource to grants management, program/project, and other staff as they handle processing of outgoing grants and contracts. 

• Address and propose creative, values-aligned solutions to grants management-related questions. 

• As a member of the senior Leadership Team, elevate cross-programmatic and cross-divisional issues to build alignment on grantmaking strategies that support RLF’s purpose and values.  

• Identify training needs and oversee ongoing training efforts for staff to foster organization-wide competency in philanthropic processes as well as use of the grants management system. 

• Oversee grants management materials including templates, policy and procedure documents, and training materials, as needed.  

• Lead a grants management team consisting of nearly 20 staff members, including a Deputy Director of Fiscal Sponsorship & Grants Management, Grants Manager, and multiple Grants Coordinators/Senior Grants Coordinators.   

• Foster a collaborative, transparent, supportive and trusting culture across the team and beyond to ensure alignment with RLF’s values and overall culture.   

• Regularly and actively solicit input from grants management staff, encouraging and inspiring team members to proactively contribute ongoing process improvement ideas. 

• Collaborate closely with in-house and outside counsel to mitigate risk and address legal compliance issues in our grants and contracts processing, balancing programmatic needs and promoting values-aligned practices.  

• Partner with the Finance team to ensure fiscal and audit compliance. 

• Address and triage inquiries regarding legal and fiscal compliance, due diligence, risk mitigation, and other grants management-related questions.  

• Provide strategic leadership for RLF’s Salesforce system as it pertains to outgoing funds processing to ensure efficient, effective, equitable, and values-aligned grantmaking. 

• Support RLF’s Development team in ensuring integration and alignment with incoming funds processing in Salesforce.   

• Ensure system configuration changes are done with a comprehensive understanding of both the human system and the technology system.   

• Working with the Salesforce Analyst and Operations staff, identify when to engage outside consultants for technical or training needs, and oversee and direct their work.  

• Provide oversight for system architecture and advise the Executive and Leadership Teams with regard to options to manage system-related process questions. 

• Provide system oversight for Salesforce, including evaluating system releases and third-party tools, ensuring smooth implementation of upgrades, and identifying training needs. 

• Coordinate with program/project staff with regard to inquiries about application content and requirements.   

• Act as a central point of contact for staff and grantee feedback regarding system enhancements and bugs, and ensures all issues are resolved timely.  

• Promote a culture of learning and development. 

• Iteratively assess reporting, dashboard, and other data-related needs, ensuring colleagues have access to the data they need for their level of decision-making; support the Salesforce Analyst to provide trainings as appropriate.  

• Provide data-driven findings to inform decisions and external storytelling.   

Director of Grants Management starting salary range is $180,000 - $210,000. Salary commensurate with related work experience and qualifications.  

We have an alternate Fridays off work schedule and offer a comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k plan with a 5% match, and generous paid time off. RLF also offers a technology allowance, student loan repayment assistance, the Calm app, mental health benefits and approximately 16 paid holidays per year.  

Please provide a resume and cover letter explaining how your skills and experience align with this position.  

Recruitment Schedule 
October 28th – Recruitment Launches 
November 11th – Application deadline (applications received after this date may still be considered) 
Early December – Screening interviews 
 

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