Manager, Grants and Financial Planning

DataKind is looking for a Manager, Grants and Financial Planning!

DataKind is seeking a Manager, Grants and Financial Planning who will play a critical role in ensuring the financial health and compliance for DataKind by overseeing grants management with financial planning and analysis (FP&A). A strong candidate will demonstrate the ability to translate complex financial information into insight for non-finance staff, balance compliance requirements with organizational flexibility, and will proactively identify and solve financial challenges before they become escalated issues.

Location

Remote position available anywhere in the U.S. with working hours primarily between 8am-6pm Eastern Time.

Salary Range

The salary range is $74,000 - $86,000.

Actual salary within this range will be based on the candidate’s experience and internal salary equity scan of active employee(s) with similar role and experience.

About the Opportunity

Reporting to the Vice President, Finance and Operations, the Manager, Grants and Financial Planning will serve as the bridge between program operations and financial management, providing strategic insight and supporting effective use of grant funding and organizational decision-making while maintaining grants compliance and financial accuracy. This role will help drive our mission forward—bringing clarity, compliance, and purpose to the heart of funding efforts.

Core Responsibilities:

The Manager, Grant and Financial Planning will be responsible for the following in addition to any other project assigned by the Vice President, Finance and Operations:

Grants Management (50%)

• Oversee the financial aspects of all major grants, ensuring compliance with funder requirements and restrictions
• Maintain tracking systems for grant expenditures and deliverables
• Prepare financial reports for funders, ensuring accuracy and timeliness
• Collaborate with program staff to align spending with grant objectives and timelines
• Serve as a spending control mechanism by reviewing and approving grant expenditures before commitment, preventing overspending and ensuring appropriate use of restricted funds
• Monitor budget-to-actual spending on grants and meet with budget holders to flag and resolve variances
• Maintain documentation for audits

Financial Planning & Analysis (40%)

• Support the annual budgeting process in data collection and implementation, with particular focus on grant-funded activities
• Develop financial models and projections to support strategic decision-making
• Analyze financial trends and provide recommendations to leadership
• Create monthly/quarterly financial dashboards for leadership and board
• Support the development of funding proposals with multi-year budget creation and financial narratives
• Conduct scenario planning for various funding outcomes

Cross-Functional Collaboration (10%)

• Serve as the financial liaison between program, engineering, development, and finance teams
• Educate program staff on grant financial requirements, spending, and restrictions
• Collaborate with development team on financial aspects of grant applications (submissions, modifications, reporting, etc)
• Support external financial audits related to major grants
• Implement accountability systems and regularly communicate with program directors about spending limits and grant balances

Qualifications

Required

• Alignment and enthusiasm for DataKind’s mission and values
• 3-5 years of experience in nonprofit finance, with specific experience in financial grant management
• Advanced excel modeling and budgeting skills
• Strong analytical abilities and attention to detail
• Experience with budget development and financial reporting
• Experience with financial modeling and forecasting
• Familiarity with OMB Uniform Guidance in grant financial compliance and reporting
• Understanding of nonprofit accounting principles, particularly fund accounting
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to enforce work across to departments to oversee spending controls

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or related field
• FPAC certification
• Knowledge of grant compliance requirements (OMB guidelines, specific funder requirements, restricted and unrestricted spend)
• Background in both grant management and FP&A roles within nonprofits
• Track record of successfully implementing spending controls that ensures in-budget spending while also maintaining a collaborative partnership with program teams

About DataKind

At DataKind, we believe in the transformative power of data science and AI to create a more promising future. Since our founding in 2012, we’ve been at the forefront of designing scalable, data-driven tools that address some of the world’s toughest challenges—ranging from frontline health, humanitarian action, climate and environment, economic opportunity, education, and more. As both a product innovator and a movement catalyst, we set new standards in the social sector, empowering organizations to harness the full potential of data science and AI while putting communities first.

Why Work with DataKind

At DataKind, we believe that people are the most important asset to delivering on our mission. As a people-first remote organization, we offer the following for all our employees:

• Flexibility and time off. Enjoy genuine flexibility that goes beyond adjustable hours. We build in shared time off, organization-wide recharge days, bi-weekly meeting-free days, and flexible PTO (with a minimum of 20 vacation days encouraged annually).
• Comprehensive Wellness Support. We care for your total wellbeing with 100% employer-paid medical, vision, and dental benefits for employees (72% for dependents), a wellness reimbursement program for the activities and purchases that matter to you, and 12 weeks paid parental leave when you need it most.
• A Culture of Growth. Every team member receives professional development funding each year, alongside mentorship and advancement opportunities. We invest in your future with a 401(k) plan with 5% employer matching.
• Meaningful Connection. Despite being distributed across time zones, we value being able to come together in person for conferences, strategic planning, and at our annual staff retreat.
• Living our Values. DataKind is committed to a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment in our day-to-day work and via special initiatives driven by our DEI Steering Committee.

Encouraging Applicants of All Backgrounds

We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply, especially people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

DataKind is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other category/characteristics protected by law. No matter one’s background, all roles must value and advocate for inclusion and equity.

Applicants must have a U.S.-based permanent address and be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis indefinitely without employer visa sponsorship..

Why Work with DataKind

At DataKind, we believe that people are the most important asset to delivering on our mission. As a people-first remote organization, we offer the following for all our employees:

• Flexibility and time off. Enjoy genuine flexibility that goes beyond adjustable hours. We build in shared time off, organization-wide recharge days, bi-weekly meeting-free days, and flexible PTO (with a minimum of 20 vacation days encouraged annually).
• Comprehensive Wellness Support. We care for your total wellbeing with 100% employer-paid medical, vision, and dental benefits for employees (72% for dependents), a wellness reimbursement program for the activities and purchases that matter to you, and 12 weeks paid parental leave when you need it most.
• A Culture of Growth. Every team member receives professional development funding each year, alongside mentorship and advancement opportunities. We invest in your future with a 401(k) plan with 5% employer matching.
• Meaningful Connection. Despite being distributed across time zones, we value being able to come together in person for conferences, strategic planning, and at our annual staff retreat.
• Living our Values. DataKind is committed to a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment in our day-to-day work and via special initiatives driven by our DEI Steering Committee.