Program & Operations Associate

Position Summary: Program and Operations Associate

Part-Time (with potential to increase)

The Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation is looking for an entrepreneurial and energetic individual to join our team as a Program and Operations Associate. The right person is someone who is organized and detail-oriented, comfortable with a variety of tasks, quick to learn, collaborative and can think creatively. The foundation is in its early stages now and is poised to grow, while maintaining a lean staff and operations. In this start-up phase, we are looking for a flexible individual who is excited to jump in and support a variety of functions.

The Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation’s mission is: To support innovative people working in field-based science, arts and crafts, teaching, and protection of the natural world. 

The Foundation supports people who:

• Explore and ask, through fieldwork in natural sciences
• Create and captivate, as they promote mastery in the arts and crafts
• Teach and try, as they support students in public education
• Conserve and connect, as they encourage care for the natural world

The foundation was started in 2018 by Delle Maxwell and Patrick Hanrahan, and it is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The foundation has four broad areas of current interest: protecting nature, teachers and classrooms, hands-on science and arts and crafts. The foundation has made grants to a range of nature and science-related organizations, and in 2020 made its first grant to support teachers in environmental science in the Bay Area. The foundation has also supported field research internship grants for undergraduate and graduate students.  In 2020, the foundation launched an individual awards program in field biology, recently awarding five, $100,000 awards to individuals at critical stages of their careers who have conducted unique and previously under-appreciated research in that field. For more information about the 2020 Field Biology Award winners, visit https://www.maxwell-hanrahan.org/field-biology-awards. In 2021, the foundation will be launching more grantmaking programs to support individual artisans, arts & crafts programs, and diversity in computer science and arts higher education.

For more information about the foundation, please visit www.maxwell-hanrahan.org.

The foundation seeks a Program and Operations Associate who will coordinate and implement the administrative processes related to grantmaking; provide technical support throughout the grant lifecycle; conduct selected research projects to support grantmaking and program development; and provide administrative and communications support to the foundation staff. This position will be part-time initially but could convert to full-time as the foundation grows. The Program and Operations Associate will report to the Executive Director.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

Grantmaking

• Support coordination of annual individual awards programs for field biologists and for artisans, including organizing nomination information, interactions with advisors, etc. Support and continuously improve the annual process to compile 100+ nomination packages for advisory panel review (helping reviewers meet timelines, conducting due diligence on nominees, ensuring consistency and quality-checking work).
• In collaboration with the Executive Director and other program staff, support grant program development through selected research projects. This may include research on potential grantees and landscape analyses of potential funding areas.
• Answer third party grant inquiries, and/or elevate to the appropriate foundation contact.
• Assist in tracking and gathering grantee information and grant reports.
• As requested, review grantee reports and prepare summary reports to present to program staff.

Communications

• Assist with researching, selecting, and preparing written information needed for Foundation communications, including press releases, social media, and website.
• Assist Program staff with follow-up on requests for information and resources.
• Respond to general inquiries, and/or elevate to the appropriate foundation contact.

Technology Support

• Maintain, update, and ensure accuracy of grant database.
• Field inquiries about online applications, if unable to be answered by outside vendor.
• Support basic website administration and updates.

Meeting Support & Event Coordination

• Coordinate meetings and events, such as in person or virtual committee meetings or recognition events.
• Actively participate in internal and external meetings. Support meeting success by drafting agendas, preparing supporting materials, taking notes, and contributing to discussions.

Desired Competencies and Qualifications 

• Experience with project management, grants coordination, and administrative support; nonprofit and/or foundation experience preferred
• Committed to the foundation’s mission to support innovative people working in field-based science, arts and crafts, teaching, and protection of the natural world
• A bachelor’s degree in a related field
• A team-oriented person with great interpersonal skills
• Optimistic in outlook; friendly and people-oriented
• Thrives on variety and wearing multiple hats, and is comfortable in a start-up environment
• Willingness to listen and ask questions, and comfort giving and receiving advice
• Collaborative and transparent, and able to inspire confidence and trust among multiple stakeholders, including staff, Board and other organizations
• Holds unquestionable integrity and commitment to personal and professional excellence
• Displays excellent oral and written communication
• Takes initiative to get things done, while exercising strong judgement on when to elevate an issue
• Highly organized with an attention to detail and a commitment to rigor
• Strong analytical, research and problem solving skills
• Proficiency with Google Suite and Microsoft productivity software (e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), SquareSpace
• Willingness to support and promote an inclusive culture at the foundation

The foundation is an equal employment opportunity employer. The foundation has a commitment to diversity and encourages individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.

Compensation and Location 

Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation offers an excellent benefits package (including during the part-time phase of this position) and a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience. The position will be located in the San Francisco Bay Area, with remote work the first several months.  We expect to move into an in-person office later in 2021.

Please send a cover letter and resume in one pdf document to info@maxwell-hanrahan.org