Research Grant Program Manager

Lead GFI’s Research Grant Program to advance alternative protein science

The Good Food Institute (GFI) is a nonprofit think tank working to make the global food system better for the planet, people, and animals. Alongside scientists, businesses, and policymakers, GFI’s teams focus on making plant-based, fermentation-enabled, and cultivated meat delicious, affordable, and accessible. Powered by philanthropy, GFI is an international network of organizations advancing alternative proteins as an essential solution needed to meet the world’s climate, global health, food security, and biodiversity goals.

How You Will Make a Difference 

In this role, you will directly impact the transformation of the global food system by overseeing GFI’s global Research Grant Program’s Request for Proposals (RFP). Through this RFP, GFI aims to address technical bottlenecks, foster new collaborations, and catalyze further funding in the alternative protein research field. You will be responsible for implementing strategic grants management processes and managing the overall portfolio of GFI’s grantees once funded. The Research Grant Program Manager will be responsible for:

• Working internally within the Science and Technology (SciTech) department to identify topic areas for each year's RFP that are appropriate for our Field Catalyst awards and complement other streams of research funding activity.  
• Managing and delivering GFI’s Field Catalyst funding through a rigorous internal and external review process.
• Overseeing process improvements to our internal systems for managing our grants program, including through our grants management platform.
• Managing and supporting GFI’s grantee cohort as they deliver their grants and assisting them as necessary with grant-related issues. 
• Communicating the impacts of the program, by working closely with our SciTech, Communications, and Development teams.
• Preparing monthly and ad hoc reports of grant-related information as requested by GFI leadership.
• Creating efficient operational systems for all parts of the grant management life cycle, including implementing and maintaining a grant management software platform.
• Overseeing the integrity of GFI’s Research Grant Program by ensuring data is complete, accurate, and up-to-date.
• Partnering with GFI’s Legal and Finance teams to secure research agreements from grantees and award grant funds.
• Managing the Research Grant Program Coordinator with potential for additional direct reports in the future. 
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Who We’re Looking For 

An ideal candidate for the Research Grant Program Manager position will have experience that reflects the following:

• A Master’s or Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline to alternative proteins (e.g., biology, chemistry, engineering, food science) or equivalent relevant experience with basic technical fluency with the fundamental technologies involved in the production of alternative proteins. 
• At least 3-5 years of professional experience of funding research using gold-standard peer review processes, preferably in a government research agency. 
• Prior experience mentoring and developing other team members is preferred. 
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including exceptional written and verbal persuasion skills, and a demonstrated ability to develop relationships with diverse external stakeholders. Demonstrated cultural competence and a proven ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, showing sensitivity and respect for different perspectives, values, and customs. Strong team spirit and open and collaborative instincts. 
• Strong communication skills including an ability to confidently express ideas, opinions, processes, and needs with respect and professionalism, to ensure that work remains aligned with organizational goals.
• Comfort using a range of software such as Grants Management software required; experience using Airtable, Google Sheets, Asana, and other similar tools preferred.
• A strategic and analytical mind; with the team, you will be responsible for selecting the highest-impact initiatives to maximize impact in alternative protein research funding. Excellent attention to detail and ability to organize, summarize, and maintain quantitative and qualitative information.
• Self-motivation and the ability to work both independently and in concert with a larger group.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels like they belong.
• Comfort working remotely and in a rapidly growing and evolving organization.
• Strong support for GFI’s philosophy and mission; demonstrated interest in plant-based & other alt proteins, public health, environmentalism, climate change, animal protection, or hunger relief.
• A commitment to GFI’s values: believe change is possible, do the most good we can, share knowledge freely, act on evidence, and invite everyone to the table.

We want the best people and we don’t want biases holding us back. We use a third-party anonymizing tool to redact personal information from submitted applications — including name, location, contact details, and several other factors — to reduce bias and increase fairness in our process. We strongly encourage people of every race, color, orientation, age, gender, origin, and ability to apply. Since we value a diverse workplace, we prioritize an inclusive climate absent of discrimination and harassment during the application process and after you join the team. 

Research indicates that men tend to apply for jobs when they meet just 60% of the criteria, while women and people from other marginalized groups only apply if they are a 100% match. If you are passionate about GFI’s mission and think you have what it takes to be successful in this role even if you don’t check all the boxes, please apply. We’d appreciate the opportunity to consider your application. 

The Fine Print

• Terms of employment: Full-time, exempt
• Reports to: Samantha Riches, Associate Director, Research Funding
• Direct Reports: Brandi Bangle, Research Grant Program Coordinator 
• Location: Remote; United States
• Travel: Up to two weeks per year for organization retreats (reasonable accommodations for and exemptions from organization retreats considered on a case-by-case basis).
• Benefits: Working from home, full medical coverage, optional dental and vision packages, a 401(k) plan with employer match, flexible holiday and vacation plans, lifestyle spending account, opportunity for advancement, respectful managers, and supportive colleagues. More information here: https://tinyurl.com/GFIBenefits. 
• This is a U.S.-based position: In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work for any employer in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. At this time, GFI's policy is not to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas.
• Salary: $86,377.72 - $93,912.00 (depending on experience and qualifications)

Important Dates

Application deadline: November 14, 2024

Anticipated start date: December 30, 2024

Application Instructions

GFI uses an anonymized hiring system that redacts key identifying personal information from all applications. We use this tool as part of a wider effort to reduce bias in our hiring process. Following these instructions will help to ensure your application is not delayed by a failed redaction. 

• Where possible, limit the creative formatting of your documents. If the name on your resume is an inserted image file or is styled with large spaces between each letter, for example, the redaction is likely to fail. Colors and designs are OK, but wherever possible, the text itself should just be regular text. 
• Please use consistent names. It helps to ensure that the name you use in your resume and cover letter is the same as the name you type into the application below. For example, if your name is Jennifer, please sign your cover letter as “Jennifer” rather than “Jenny.” 
• Submit PDF or .docx files only. Other file formats, like .txt, are likely to fail redaction. 
• Please do not include personal identifying information in your responses to the application questions. Referencing past education, work experience, and mission-alignment is OK. 
• Please do not contact the role’s supervisor or any potential member of the hiring team. If you have questions, please email careers@gfi.org. 

Thank you for helping us to ensure that the redaction process works smoothly and to review your application as quickly as possible!