Director of Grants & Contracts Management

The Fund for Science and Technology (FFST) is a new private foundation that is part of the Paul G. Allen philanthropic ecosystem.

Founded in 2022 and launched in 2025 we enable accelerated discovery and catalyze progress for people and the planet through transformational science and technology. The foundation works to advance bioscience accelerate solutions for the environment and leverage the power of AI for the benefit of Earth and humanity supporting work in the lab and across the ecosystem of scientific research collaboration and innovation.

Together we strive to advance the frontiers of science and maximize the benefits it offers the world.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Grants and Contracts Management will be responsible for ensuring the Fund for Science and Technologys (FFST) philanthropic grants and contracts are executed with rigor efficiency and innovation. FFST is a philanthropic funder and we seek candidates with significant experience in grants and contracts management within philanthropic foundations.

This role leads all operational aspects of FFSTs grant and contract lifecycleincluding preparation due diligence compliance negotiation and processing. Responsibilities include determining the structure and content of grant and contract documentation and ensuring regulatory compliance in collaboration with FFSTs legal and tax advisors. The Director serves as a key liaison to FFST executives program staff and external stakeholders to ensure quality timeliness consistency and compliance across all agreements.

As FFST is in the early stages of its philanthropic operations this position will play a foundational role in building the grants and contracts function from the ground up. The Director will establish systems processes and best practices to support FFSTs long-term success and impact.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Grants Management and Direction

• Establish and maintain processes tools standards and requirements to ensure FFSTs grants and contracts comply with applicable laws and policies.
• Design implement and maintain systems practices and resources for effective grant and contract administration. Partner with internal teams and external stakeholders to improve and innovate processes and policies.
• Draft review and negotiate grants and contracts with a focus on clarity consistency and compliance.
• Oversee day-to-day grants management operations including workflow design intake review approval and documentation.
• Collaborate with program finance legal and tax advisors to determine terms and conditions for grant awards and contracts.
• Ensure staff training and proficiency in grants management procedures and documentation requirements.
• Lead data analysis and tracking efforts to support complex grant portfolio and process management
• Participate in grant and contract budget development ensuring alignment with grant terms and organizational goals.
• Maintain clear and consistent communication with applicants and grantee partners to support strong relationships and understanding of FFSTs systems.
• Ensure integrity of electronic grant files to meet legal audit and internal standards.
• Oversee and refine policies for complex grants including ER for-profit international and IP/data-governance agreements. Stay current on IRS regulations and philanthropic best practices through participation in committees trainings and peer networks.

Grants System Administration

• Design implement and enhance IT systems and workflows supporting FFSTs grants and contracts in collaboration with IT program and strategy teams.
• Serve as owner and administrator of the grants and contracts application management and reporting system including template creation application intake and workflow administration.
• Lead the development of FFSTs grants and contracts infrastructure with an AI-first mindset. Champion the integration of AI-enabled tools to optimize systems generate insights and foster continuous learning and thoughtful partnerships.
• Produce data-driven analyses dashboards and reports to inform decision-making at the grant portfolio program and leadership levels.

People Leadership

• Over time build and lead a team responsible for managing FFSTs grants and contracts operational infrastructure and develop into a high-performing team through shared vision clear roles and strategic direction.
• Contribute operational insights from grants data to organizational decision-making.
• Define responsibilities and departmental practices to support FFSTs overall goals.
• Promote a culture of excellence collaboration accountability and continuous improvement.
• Educate FFST staff on grants reporting compliance and regulatory issues.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Knowledge Experience Skill and/or Ability Required:

• Extensive experience in philanthropic grantmaking and operations with a deep understanding of end-to-end grantmaking processes compliance and strategic alignment with organizational goals; demonstrated expertise in overseeing systems and processes for managing large complex portfolios of grants and contracts.
• Skilled in philanthropic grantmaking compliance in a funder role (IRS/private foundation rules expenditure responsibility for-profit and international funding).
• Demonstrated success in scoping designing and implementing new enterprise systems and workflows for grants and contract intake processing due diligence compliance and execution with the ability to adapt to and apply emerging technologies.
• Proficiency in data management and grant administration software (e.g. Fluxx GivingData SmartSimple Salesforce).
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to execute hands on work and over time build and manage a team
• Knowledge of best practices in grants and contracts administration including collaboration with legal and tax advisors to ensure compliance and effectiveness.
• Experience developing and negotiating contract terms and conditions for philanthropic impact.

Management Responsibilities:

Directly manages one or more employees. Responsibilities include interviewing hiring and training employees; planning assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems; and conducting regular one-on-one meetings with each direct report.

Required Computer Skills:

• MS Office (Word Excel Outlook)
• MS Project

Education/Experience:

• Bachelors degree (B.A. or B.S.) from an accredited institution and 10 years of relevant experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Travel Expectations

• Up to 10% international and domestic travel

Special remarks regarding the work environment

• FFST as an organization is Monday Thursday in the office and Friday are remote days each week. The hybrid work environment is an organizational decision that benefits employees may differ from job to job and is subject to change as needed.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is expected to be $194968 - $292452 per year. The upper portion of the salary range is typically reserved for existing employees who demonstrate strong performance over time or candidates who exceed our experience and skill set expectations.

Offers for each future employee are carefully considered taking into account various factors when reviewing each candidate. These factors include experience professional achievements education individual backgrounds and internal equity any of which could affect the compensation total compensation package will also include reasonable and customary benefits. Eligible employees may participate in a retirement savings plan and deferred compensation plan as well as in company-sponsored medical dental vision and basic life insurance plans for the employee and the employees eligible dependents. The Fund for Science and Technology offers paid time off including vacation and personal days holidays and time off for health including sick time disability leave and leave for new parents. Offerings continue to be refined and as those choices are finalized this section will be updated.

Were committed to inclusion and equal opportunity.

FFST is an equal-opportunity employer. Every qualified applicant will be considered for employment. We do not discriminate based on race color religion gender sexual orientation age national origin religion marital status sex disability political ideology veteran status or other protected class.

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The job description listed above is representative of the knowledge skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

If you need accommodation during the application or hiring process dont hesitate to contact .