About Urban Institute:

At the Urban Institute, we believe in the power of evidence to improve lives and strengthen communities. As a nonprofit focusing on social and economic policy, our researchers and policy entrepreneurs open minds, shape decisions, and identify transformative solutions to the most pressing issues of our time.

Our Mission

To open minds, shape decisions, and offer solutions through economic and social policy research.

Our Values

Collaboration, Equity, Inclusivity, Independence, and Integrity

For more information on the Urban Institute, please visit https://www.urban.org.

The Opportunity:

The senior project manager will lead and/or provide support on a diverse portfolio of assignments, including but not limited to the full proposal life cycle (review, preparation, submission, negotiation, finalization), proposal and project budgeting, facilitating grant/contract and subaward financial and contractual requests, managing various procurement types (e.g. consultants, purchase orders), conducting sound financial management, and identifying project closeout requirements. This is an ideal position for a professional who is looking for a role to apply existing business operations expertise, suggest and provide guidance for new and revised process/procedural management and mentor junior operations staff.

The Operations team applies its expertise in nonprofit management, process improvement, and business operations to interface between the center and the key business offices at Urban (e.g., Accounting, Finance, Grants & Contracts). Members of the Center Operations team are positive problem solvers, collaborative, and rely on each other to brainstorm solutions, yet also work independently to manage several competing deadlines on a daily basis.

*Please note that a cover letter is required to be considered for this position.

What You’ll Do:

• Contribute as a key member of a small team that serves as the “go-to” people in the Center for questions regarding proposals, grant/contract compliance, procurement, financial management, project specific tasks, and larger institute processes, procedures and initiatives.

• Routinely assess requests for operations team assistance to determine scope of request, deadlines, and level of urgency and work independently to track, complete, and follow up on assigned tasks.

• Lead the proposal development processes by coordinating across team members and other offices (e.g. Accounting, Grants & Contracts, HR ) - this includes reviewing and fulfilling federal, state, local and foundation RFP/RFA requirements, compiling budgets (using Excel templates), preparing requirement checklists, managing deadlines, collecting submission packages, and reviewing documents with a strong attention to detail for final submission within internal systems

• Perform a variety of project and operations management tasks, including but not limited to budget creation/revision, award modification (contractual and financial changes), financial management (projections, expense management, reconciliations), procurement management (subcontractors, consultants, purchase orders), and small-scale event and meeting planning and logistics.

• Build ad-hoc financial models and analytics, create cost-down budgets, and prepare monthly financial reports for internal funding.

• Work with principal investigators (PIs) and their project staff to ensure they conduct work per scope, deadlines, budget and Metro/Urban processes and procedures. This includes applying a solutions-oriented mindset to troubleshoot proposal/project issues, leading regular meetings between PIs and the Operations team, and reminding PIs about project requriements, deadlines and spending.

• Offer guidance to Center staff regarding Urban’s procurement processes (e.g. consultants, subcontractors, purchase orders) and take the lead in organizing submission materials, corresponding with external vendors, and finalizing submission packages for internal and external approval.

• Communicate effectively with multiple research teams, project leaders and support staff in other offices and centers at the Institute. Interface with all departments across the organization and center policy area teams to build effective relationships that allow for efficient and productive interactions and collaboration on specific tasks.

• Assist Director of Operations in reviewing current processes/procedures to suggest improvements as well as suggest new protocols to enhance overall team and center performance.

Who You Are:

• Possess a Bachelor’s degree in non-profit management, business, accounting, finance, public administration, public policy, or related field, and 7 years of related experience and/or training, or a Master's degree in one of these fields and 3 years of related experience.

• Bring prior knowledge of the proposal process and display solid experience reading RFPs and pulling necessary requirements for complex, multi-year budgets, preferably with 3+ years experience in U.S. Government (federal) funding management including but not limited to proposals and awards (grants/contracts/cooperative agreements), budget preparation/revision, procurement regulation, and conducting financial monitoring while following federal rules and regulations for compliance.

• Demonstrate experience with preparation and analysis of business volume and project documentation, including, but not limited to: creating budgets with multiple entry points, using enterprise resource planning software to analyze project financials, reviewing grants and contracts for key project requirements/terms & conditions, and conducting project risk assessments.

• Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to review a large volume of complex information and distill it into a concise, actionable summary in a fast paced and environment.

• Show strong organizational skills and attention to detail, as well as the proven ability to multitask, set priorities, and work as an individual and as part of a team.

• Have experience working effectively on multiple projects or assignments and helping manage the work of a team across competing priorities and tasks.

• Exhibit a willingness to adapt to changing priorities and learn new processes and software programs.

• Demonstrate high proficiency in Microsoft Office products including MS Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Exhibit advanced skills in Excel functions such as writing formulas and data manipulation. Ability and experience working with Smartsheet, JIRA or other project management tools is a plus.

What You’ll Experience:

No matter your role with Urban, you will contribute to meaningful work that makes a difference for people and communities across the country. And whether you call the Washington, DC area or elsewhere home, you can expect to be part of a welcoming and hybrid workplace. We are committed to cultivating a community and working in a manner defined by collaboration, equity, inclusivity, independence, and integrity.

Urban’s greatest asset is our people.

The target salary range for this position is $80,000-$115,000. Salary offered is commensurate with experience and considers internal equity. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Salaries are just one component of Urban Institute’s total compensation package.

Urban is committed to supporting our staff’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being through a robust benefits package for yourself, eligible dependents, and domestic partners. It includes generous paid time off, including nine federal holidays, medical (including prescription), dental and vision insurance, and transit benefits. Urban is unique in that we offer 403(b) retirement plan participation immediately after you’re hired and a generous employer contribution after six months of service and 500 hours, with immediate vesting. You’ll also have access to a health advocate, personal finance coaching, an Employee Assistance Program, and educational assistance for undergraduate and graduate degree programs. This position may have the opportunity to be fully remote.

With the conclusion of the government-issued COVID-19 national public health emergency, Urban has updated our COVID-19 safety guidelines. All Urban Institute employees working from our onsite location must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and comply with any masking requirements. Fully vaccinated is defined as receiving the primary series of US approved COVID-19 vaccinations (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Novavax, Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen) with the addition of at least 1 COVID-19 booster. Employees who are working onsite may request exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement based on a medical condition or a sincerely held religious belief that prevents them from being vaccinated. Where such an exemption is approved, Urban will discuss potential accommodation with the employee. These guidelines do not apply to employees who are teleworking or other offsite staff.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned. This posting is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Urban management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

The Urban Institute is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, veteran status, pregnancy or family responsibilities, matriculation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected status under applicable law. The Urban Institute is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Minorities/Women/Disabilities/Veterans