Finance, Grants, and Operations Manager

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 diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, and to creating solutions that benefit all people, particularly those most affected by environmental damage and climate change.

For more information on the school, click here.

The Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions (COS) is an interdisciplinary program of the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment. COS capitalizes on Stanford’s deep expertise in ocean science and in the many other disciplines crucial to solving ocean problems including engineering, computer science, political science, design, and business.

For more information about COS, click here.

Are you interested in the intersection of ocean science and policy and want to be part of building solutions for current and future ocean issues? If so, we invite you to apply as a Finance, Grants, and Operations Manager to enhance our visibility and reach within our portfolio of collaborative projects.

The Finance, Grants, and Operations Manager will manage the Center’s diverse research portfolio (sponsored, expendables, and operating) and day-to-day financial operations to ensure effective financial and budget reporting, administration, coordination, and planning across all programs to further the goals set by the Center and ensure effective reporting, coordination, and planning with the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment. The Finance, Grants, and Operations Manager will participate in strategic evaluation of operational challenges and opportunities, including long-term funding planning across our five key initiatives including: Oceans & Food Security, Sustainable Ocean Economies, Small-scale Fisheries & Technology, Managing Ocean Risk, and Curbing Illegal Fishing and Forced Labor in the Seafood Sector. This position reports to the Deputy Director of COS with a dotted line to the Director of Finance in Woods.

Your Responsibilities will include:  

• • Prepare complex proposals within parameters of sponsored and non-sponsored research guidelines. Oversee and communicate submission process; resolve issues relating to proposal preparation, proposal requirements, and submission process.
  • Manage overall labor schedules including time allocation of all COS staff and faculty across sponsored research grants and gift funds.
  • 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 on new regulations.
  • Manage COS overall budgets, including developing portfolio budgets that integrate budgets across multiple grants to develop an overall funding picture for work in each initiative.
  • Manage contract closeout process and audit inquiries; submit final reports and certificates.
  • Interpret complex University and government policies (FAR, Cost Accounting Standards, Office of Management and Budget circular, sponsored guidelines, etc.) for project and university personnel and help guide other staff in interpreting complex policies.
  • Develop and communicate reports supporting project status; create forecasting models, scenarios, and decision aides for portfolios of grants that fund overall projects; monitor and confirm allocations monthly with unit managers; ensure payroll compliance with sponsored projects.
  • Preparation of annual budget under the direction of the directors at COS and the Woods Institute for the Environment; Monitoring and reporting budget variances at least quarterly, and as needed for board and committee meetings; developing and monitoring financial status for various funding streams including an operating PTA; and proposing budget improvements to directors.
  • Financial oversight, reviewing and approving expenditure transactions and reimbursement requests, advising on post-award spending and commitment activity, overseeing compliance related to fund and revenue, and managing account payables and receivables.
  • Serve as liaison with the research / administrative staff located at Hopkins Marine Station.
  • Coordinate with the Woods Institute on HR operational matters as it relates to COS recruitment efforts, academic appointments, fellowships, etc.
  • Identify and implement process improvements. Participate in and lead across campus projects. Train and advise on issues requiring specific technical expertise.
  • Serve as a resource on subject area to principal investigator staff.
  • Oversee and review the work of other staff. May supervise, train, and mentor other staff.

* – 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.