Grant Coordinator

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of 4-year-old Alexandra “Alex” Scott, who was fighting cancer and wanted to raise money to find cures for all children with cancer. Her spirit and determination inspired others to support her cause, and when she passed away at the age of 8, she had raised $1 million. Since then, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement. Today, ALSF is one of the leading funders of pediatric cancer research in the U.S. and Canada raising more than $250 million so far, funding over 1,000 research projects and providing programs to families affected by childhood cancer. For more information, visit AlexsLemonade.org.

The Grant Coordinator is integral in disseminating funds raised through the hard work and dedication of ALSF team members and is the steward of ALSF’s grant process, coordinating all details for new and existing grant cycles to ensure the best and most promising childhood cancer research is funded. This role is part of the Grants Team and reports to the Research Program Director.

The Grant Coordinator is responsible for the administration of assigned grant categories for biomedical research grants. This position organizes and coordinates the life cycle of a grant program, from ensuring grant guidelines are clear, the website is up to date, grant opportunities are promoted, to organizing grant reviews with the scientific review boards, collecting, and facilitating the review of progress and final reports, corresponding with applicants, grant recipients and grant managers, to preparing payments. This role will also be responsible for occasional event planning for webinars and scientific conferences. The Grant Coordinator will manage grant programs using our grant management system and should identify ways to streamline and improve the use of the system. The ideal candidate is thoughtful, organized, and motivated to usher their grant categories through a seamless process for both the applicants and reviewers.

ALSF is headquartered outside of Philadelphia in Bala Cynwyd, PA. This is a full-time position with a minimum of 3 days in the office.

Responsibilities

• Big and small picture: understand Foundation’s structure, history, and grant program; facilitate the process of reviewing grant applications; manage pre- and post-award grant processes in management software; assure grants meet auditing and Foundation requirements; schedule award payments.
• External and internal communication: build an on-going relationship with grantees, applicants, and review boards; update staff on program initiatives, approved grants, and milestones; answer inquiries (calls or emails) about grant program in a timely manner; represent Foundation at national conferences as needed.
• Team Player and independent worker: willing and able to work independently as well as help other Grants Team members and work collaboratively with other ALSF teams; take a proactive approach to meeting deadlines and streamlining processes; willing to work occasional evenings and weekends for ALSF events.

Required Competencies and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree with 2-3 years of work experience in detail-oriented environment, or equivalent work experience; nonprofit experience preferred, knowledge of science and the research process a plus.
• Experience working with and understanding grant programs and the intricacies of cyclical processes; applicants who have experience with NIH granting programs and/or a scientific background will be prioritized.
• Advanced project management skills, maintaining processes, creating processes, and documenting status of ongoing projects.
• Takes pride in being organized and is able to set appropriate work priorities.
• Strong attention to details and deadlines and ability to timely follow-up receipt of required documentation pre-and post-award.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Proposal Central or other database experience a plus, along with superior analytical and reporting skills with an ability to critically analyze current workflow and implement effective processes and procedures.
• Event planning experience a plus.
• Superior written and oral communication skills with an ability to effectively communicate with various stakeholders, from ALSF staff to donors to researchers.
• Flexible, able to adjust if priorities shift or new opportunities arise.
• Ability to work independently and with the Grants Team to meet the goals of the team.
• Able to work non-traditional hours including evenings and weekends as needed and occasional travel.

The successful candidate will thrive in ALSF’s fast-paced, unique environment and will have the opportunity to make significant contributions to our mission of changing the lives of children with cancer and their families. This full-time opportunity offers a competitive salary and benefits package.