Grants and Finance Manager

Job description

Grants and Finance Manager

**Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford, California, United States**

Finance

Post Date Oct 06, 2025

Requisition # 107447

**_This position has been deemed critical by the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability Dean’s Office and is exempt from the hiring pause._**

**This position is based on Stanford’s main campus with consideration given to the option for a hybrid work schedule (partially onsite and offsite), subject to operational need.

Interested candidates must include a resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.**

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.

**About Us**

The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability strives to create a future when humans and nature thrive in concert and in perpetuity.

The school is made up of a three-part structure to drive global impact: Our academic departments and programs educate students and create new knowledge across areas of research that are crucial for advancing the long-term prosperity of the planet and people; Institutes bridge scholarship at Stanford and beyond, bringing multiple viewpoints to bear on urgent challenges; The Sustainability Accelerator drives new policy and technology solutions through a worldwide network of partners who work with our teams to develop solutions at a global scale.

The school is dedicated to creating and supporting a community with the richness of experience and background needed to create solutions that benefit all people, particularly those most affected by environmental damage and climate change.

For more information on the school, clickhere.

TheStanford Woods Institute for the Environmentworks to advance global sustainability through new knowledge and practical, fair solutions to pressing environmental challenges.

As part of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, the Woods Institute provides an interdisciplinary research hub for scholars from all seven schools at Stanford.

Offering targeted research incentives as well as convening, education, and leadership programs, the Woods Institute supports faculty, researchers, and students as they investigate and advance solutions to critical climate, environment, and sustainability challenges.

Working on campus and around the globe, the Woods Institute and its hosted centers and programs combine cutting edge scholarship, diverse partnerships, and deep engagement across sectors and disciplines to advance just, practical solutions for people and the planet.

The Natural Capital Project (NatCap) operates as a partnership between Stanford University, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the University of Minnesota, the Stockholm Resilience Centre, The Nature Conservancy, and the World Wildlife Fund.

NatCap’s mission is to pioneer science, technology, and partnerships that enable people and nature to thrive.

We do this to help make the world a more livable place; to secure human well-being with thriving ecosystems; to harmonize conservation and human development goals, by developing scientific tools and technology to model and map the distribution of biodiversity and to demonstrate the services provided by ecosystems.

For more information on The Natural Capital Project, please clickhere.

Natural Capital Project is seeking a Grants and Finance Manager to join our research team at the Natural Capital Project.

The Grants and Finance Manager is responsible for pre- and post-award research administration of sponsored projects.

Reporting to the Director of Finance and Operations in Woods, with a dotted line to the Natural Capital Project’s co- Directors, the Grants and Finance Manager works independently and collaboratively with faculty, postdocs, students, and staff at the Natural Capital Project, as well as staff from other University departments (central and academic) on matters of financial management, funds monitoring, grant/contract proposal submissions, award reconciliation, and reporting.

If you are highly motivated, up for a challenge, and know how to get things done, this position may be the right career opportunity for you!

**Your Responsibilities will include** **:**

+ Perform various program and grant management tasks (e.g., training grant management, pre-award and grant submission), in addition to post-award finance tasks.
+ Prepare complex proposals within parameters of sponsored and non-sponsored research guidelines.
+ Oversee and communicate submission process, both paper and electronic; resolve issues relating to proposal preparation and submittal process.
+ Develop, prepare, revise, and finalize project budgets, and provide budget justification; obtain cost sharing commitment and support.

Serve as liaison and active partner between principal investigators, Office of Sponsored Research, research groups, and other departments; respond to sponsor inquiries; advise of new regulations.
+ Review and approve expenditures, advise on post-award spending and commitment activity, and oversee compliance related to fund and revenue.
+ Develop and communicate reports supporting project status; create forecasting models, scenarios, and decision aides.
+ Manage contract closeout process and audit inquiries; submit final reports and certificates.
+ Interpret complex university, government, and international institutional policies (FAR, Cost Accounting Standards, Office of Management and Budget circulars, sponsored guidelines, etc.) for project and university personnel and help guide other staff in interpreting complex policies.
+ Document existing processes and policies and identify and implement process and policy improvements.

Participate in and lead cross campus projects.

Train and advise on issues requiring specific technical expertise.
+ May participate as a mentor and provide cross-training as needed.
+ Initiate and participate in gift handling.

Develop PTA, initiate gift transmittal, and oversee expenditures to ensure compliance to fulfill donor’s intent.
+ Manage and oversee operating and designated awards; advise on spending and commitment activity to ensure appropriate spending according to Stanford policies and guidelines.
+ Manage overall labor schedules including time allocation of all NatCap staff across various funding sources.
+ Prepare the annual budget under the direction of NatCap’s Faculty and Executive Directors and the Woods Institute for the Environment; monitor and report budget variances at least quarterly, and as needed for board and committee meetings; develop and monitor financial status for various funding streams including an operating PTA; and propose budget improvements to directors.

* _The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities.

Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility.

Employees may also perform other duties as assigned._

**To be successful in this position, you will need** **:**

**Education & Experience** :

Bachelor's degree and five years of job-related experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.

**Knowledge, Skills and Abilities** :

+ Expert knowledge and fluency of governmental regulations (e.g. FAR, A-21, A-110, A-133, CAS).
+ Knowledge and ability to understand, interpret, and communicate university policies and procedures.
+ Excellent oral, written, and communication skills.
+ Excellent analytical skills; demonstrated proficiency in Excel and web-based tools.
+ Strong accounting skills; knowledge of accounting principles.
+ Knowledge of procurement needs, including sole-sourcing, cost analyses, vendor requirements, and small business reporting.
+ Strong knowledge of property management requirements related to Stanford or non-Stanford title of equipment and fabrications.
+ Expert in project management, including managing international collaborations and complex multi-sub award contracts.
+ Knowledge of personnel management, including proposing effort for and training and hiring of students, post-doctorals, academic appointments, regular staff, bargaining unit staff, and consultants, along with the circumstances appropriate for each type of position.
+ Extreme attention to detail.
+ Ability to review a proposal or manage a project with understanding of the overall scope and goal of each sponsored project.
+ Excellent time management and organizational skills.

Certifications and Licenses:

+ Cardinal Research Administration Foundational Training (CRAFT) I and II must be completed to remain in this position.

In addition, our preferred qualifications include:

+ Certified Accountant or Auditor, MBA, project management certification, or similar credential.
+ Budget development and management at the organizational level.

* _Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources by submitting a_ _contact form_ _._

**The expected pay range for this position is $121,639 to $142,078 per annum.**

**Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position.

The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.**

**At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package.

The Cardinal at Work website (** **https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards** **) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees.

Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.**

**How to Apply**

We invite you to apply for this position by clicking on the “Apply for Job” button.

_Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Stanford welcomes applications from all who would bring additional dimensions to the University’s research, teaching, and clinical missions._

Additional Information

+ **Schedule: Full-time**
+ **Job Code: 4483**
+ **Employee Status: Regular**
+ **Grade: I**
+ **Requisition ID: 107447**
+ **Work Arrangement : Hybrid Eligible**

Required Skill Profession

Other General