Grants Management Specialist

About the Foundation

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), located in Princeton, N.J., is a leading national philanthropy dedicated to taking bold leaps to transform health in our lifetime. To get there, we must work to dismantle structural racism and other barriers to health. Since 1972, we have focused on developing and promoting innovations in health and healthcare to improve the lives of millions. Through funding, convening, advocacy, and evidence-building, we work side-by-side with communities, practitioners, and institutions to achieve health equity faster and pave the way, together, to a future where health is no longer a privilege, but a right.  

At RWJF, we work toward three Generational Goals to transform health in our lifetime: Economic Inclusion for Family Wellbeing, Equitable and Accountable Public Health and Healthcare Systems, and Healthy and Equitable Community Conditions.

We take seriously our responsibilities, and we pledge to work in ways that reflect our Guiding Principles. These are rooted in equity and influence everything we do at RWJF. Equity, diversity, inclusion, and collaboration enable our staff’s wide range of experiences, passions, and perspectives to strengthen our ability to address our nation’s most pressing health issues and support a culture of belonging. Part of this work includes actively shaping an inclusive organization where all staff members thrive as we build and use our capabilities, voice, and power to advance health equity. RWJF offers a collaborative, collegial, and creative work environment. With a career at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, you will make a difference.  

About This Opportunity

Reporting to the senior director, Grants Management, the grants management specialist serves as the main point of contact for their assigned program area to coordinate and manage the grantmaking process from concept to award. The grants management specialist ensures compliance with RWJF policies and procedures and serves as the liaison between Program unit areas, national program offices (NPOs), grantees, consultants, reviewers, and other departments such as IT, Law, and Finance on the grantmaking process and coordination.

As with staff at all levels of RWJF, the grants management specialist is expected to demonstrate a passionate commitment to equity and to the Foundation’s mission and Guiding Principles.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Team and Department Support (50%) 

• Ensure all grant activities, including external reviews and process steps for concepts, proposals, and grants are managed according to set practices and policies. Remain current on tasks including dates and deliverables. 
• Contribute to the review, refinement, and redesign of our grant processes to ensure equitable practices.  
• Manage, monitor, and advise the Program unit on program timelines, key approval, and board deadlines, upcoming events, and meeting planning. 
• Support Program unit on grant process technology needs. Train program development staff and work with IT on technology updates.  
• Track pending items to ensure grants are processed in a timely manner, process issues are resolved, and start dates are met. 
• Perform customized searches to provide data as requested.  

Design of applications and call for proposals/request for proposals (CFPs/RFPs) (20%) 

• Manage all solicitation functions for our NPOs, intermediary organizations, and RWJF staff. 
• Manage the CFP/RFP elements of the application and grantmaking process, including CFP/RFP timeline development. 
• Conduct meetings with RWJF staff, NPOs, intermediary organizations, grantees, and consultants to demonstrate and discuss the opportunities, options, and best practices available in the grantee portal.
• Advise Program unit staff on best practices and lessons learned related to running a CFP/RFP process that is fair, equitable, and efficient. 
• Shepherd all CFPs and RFPs through the review and approval process.  
• Troubleshoot user issues and provide technical support when needed.

Proposal and Grants Management (30%) 

• Advise Program unit staff on best practices and lessons learned related to running a grant process that is fair, equitable, and efficient.
• Is primary contact for applicants, grantees, and staff for grantmaking process, policies, and requirements associated with grantmaking and monitoring. 
• Prepare grant agreements and other grant-related documentation and correspondence.
• Advise staff on basic elements of regulatory compliance including conducting charity and OFAC checking.
• Provide policy and process expertise associated with award, authorization, and specialized grantmaking.  
• Create grant write-ups for awards that draw from national program authorizations or large authorizations.
• Advise Program staff on timing of applications and funding deadlines to balance workload through Grants Management, Law, and Program Finance.
• Manage concepts, proposal requests, and grants in process, including monitoring queries, tracking decisions, and determining workflow assignment, renewal status, and more.

Minimum Requirements

• Commitment to racial and health equity and to the Foundation’s vision, values, and Guiding Principles.
• Minimum four (4) years of increasing experience related to managing grants.
• Professional commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Strong customer service orientation and interpersonal skills.
• Strong project management skills.
• Demonstrated excellence in current role with minimal oversight from people leader.
• Excellent written and oral communication.
• Demonstrated people and performance management skills, as well as an ability to work with flexibility, efficiency, enthusiasm, emotional intelligence, and diplomacy, both individually and as part of a team effort; experience mentoring staff and colleagues at multiple levels; orientation to team building.
• Ability to travel to Princeton office for relevant internal meetings including WeTime and other in-person events as requested by your people leader.
• Deep social justice values and commitment to the practice of racial justice, health equity, and the Foundation’s vision, values, and Guiding Principles.
• Candidates whose experience exceeds the minimum requirements will be given particular consideration for a higher placement within the salary range:
  • Six (6) years of progressive grants management experience in a foundation or nonprofit environment.
  • Eight (8) years of progressive grants management experience in a foundation or nonprofit environment.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions

The grants operations assistant will perform job duties in a typical business office environment. Specific physical abilities required by this job include operating basic office equipment. The incumbent will be required to attend meetings, both in person and off-site via phone or videoconference. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. RWJF is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position's Assigned Office Location

This position is assigned to our Princeton, N.J. office.

Hybrid Flexible Purpose (HFP) Explained

As of January 1, 2023, the Foundation has implemented a model we call Hybrid: Flexible Purpose (HFP). RWJF’s new operating model is the infrastructure (e.g., policies, practices, protocols, procedures, systems) that forms the basis for how the day-to-day operations are managed, culture is built and nurtured, and mission is delivered. This model is designed to meet the needs of the organization while giving employees as much flexibility as possible. On-site participation is determined by job responsibilities, organizational and team-level requirements, and mandatory gatherings throughout the year. While there are no fixed days per week, all employees are expected to plan their time on-site and cover commuting expenses as needed to meet those expectations. Learn more about our operating model and in-office requirements.

Salary

The non-negotiable starting salary for this position is $79,500. Candidates who the Foundation determines have directly related experience exceeding the minimum requirements outlined above may be provided a higher starting salary of up to $87,450. All salary offers are non-negotiable.

Benefits

RWJF offers comprehensive health and retirement benefits to employees, generous paid time off, and more. Why work at RWJF? Learn more about the benefits of working at RWJF.

Transition Stipend

A transition stipend is provided to all new hires to aid in costs related to transitioning to a new job.   

How to Apply

• Applicants should submit a resume and required letter of interest by the stated deadline. 
• Internal RWJF applicants should submit a resume and letter of interest through the Internal Jobs Hub app in Workday.  

E-Verify and Employment Eligibility

RWJF participates in E‑Verify. Click here for more information.

Application Deadline

Monday, July 20, 2026, by 10 a.m. ET