Senior Research Grants Manager

Reports to: Senior Vice President, Research

Location: Hybrid NYC Tri-State Area

POSITION SUMMARY:

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is the leading nonprofit funding of suicide prevention research. We have an annual grant submission cycle and last year received 213 grants for review. We carry a grant load of approximately 100+ grants at any given time, each grant submitting progress reports every six-months and, payments are provided every three-months. We track the publications from our grants and subsequent federal grants awarded to our previous researchers. We have a Scientific Advisory of over 260 researchers, a Scientific Council that meets twice a year and a Research Grants Review Committee that meets annually in April. We have an annual Research Awards Dinner and Mentoring Immersion for Early Career Researchers.

The AFSP Research Department is composed of the Senior Vice President for Research (SVP), the Senior Research Grants Manager, the Senior Manager of Research and Dissemination, the Research Administrator and the Research Administrator-Grants.

Reporting to the SVP, the Senior Research Grants Manager is responsible for all aspects of operating AFSP’s research grants program—which awards approximately $8-$9 million in scientific studies annually (over $30+ million total portfolio of 100+ active grants for 2025). The Senior Grants Manager interacts with grantees and Scientific Advisors and has supervisory responsibilities for the Research Administrator-Grants.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

All duties outlined below are focused on achieving Goal 1 in the AFSP Strategic Plan: Accelerate progress in suicide research by driving discovery and innovation.

Administrative Responsibilities

Under guidance of SVP, and with the support of Research Administrators, deliver high level administrative oversight, responsibility and support to grant process including:

• Lead the management of research grant applications, tracking and payment of active grants and all facets of the AFSP research grant program involving interactions with all applicants, grantees and scientific advisors as well as interfacing with the grant management software developers to maintain the program.
• Manage award notification and administration for the non-award notification process of providing individualized feedback letters to the annual applicants not funded.
• Work with partnering organization to develop new grant applications and procedures and manage their review process (e.g., Partner Vibrant/988 grant) and contracts, with SVP.

Internal and External Communications

• Correspond with grantees and their institutions for all grant related matters.
• Organize and share grant applicant recruitment/marketing material via mail, listserv and tabling.
• Communicate with the Finance Office to make grantee payments.
• Reply to high volume of applicant inquiries and counsel applicants on application process.
• Curate and disseminate monthly newsletter for AFSP and Suicide Prevention Scientific Community.
• Manage grant award notification and conduct non-award notification and provide feedback letters to applicants and reviewers.
• Assist team with new efforts to provide current research findings to staff and the community.
• Assist partner organizations to manage their grant applications and review process.

Note:

• An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
• The above list reflects the general details necessary to describe the principle and essential functions of the position and shall not be construed as the only duties that may be assigned for the position.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education Master’s degree

Experience and/or Training

3-5 years’ experience in grants management at a nonprofit or similar research-funding organization

5+ years' experience at a foundation or other grant-making entity preferred

Development grant writing and educational skills preferred

Strong communication, writing and organizational skills.

Licenses/Certificates Grants management certification

Technology/Equipment

Experience with Grant database management, Microsoft Office 365 and data analytic programs; experience with Wizehive/Zengine a plus

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

• Advises the team on issues impacting their areas of responsibility; they will need to answer complex questions functioning as a resource to external and internal parties.
• High degree of analytical ability to synthesize and integrate complex information from multiple sources.
• Works with the grant management software company and maintains functional programming of the management software; thus, some technical ability is required.
• The person in this position represents AFSP to the research community in all communications and must communicate effectively with staff at various levels.
• Uphold and exhibit the agency’s Core Values.
• Attend all mandatory meetings and trainings.
• Ability to work a full-time schedule and have at least three days in-person (hybrid) at the workplace in NYC.
• All other work-related duties as assigned
• Ability to travel occasionally, as needed to attend work meetings or events

22 PTO (vacation, sick, wellness and personal days) your first year of employment (5 additional days 2nd year)

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

Company Sponsored Medical Employee Reimbursement Plan (MERP)

10% employer retirement contribution after 2 years of employment

Flexible Summer Fridays

11 Holidays