Drive the details. Strengthen the mission. Advance philanthropic impact.Intentional Philanthropy is seeking a hands-on, relationship-oriented Senior Manager, Foundation Operations to manage client-facing work across grants, finance, HR, investments, governance, and organizational projects.IP Overview Intentional Philanthropy is a growing leader in philanthropic advisory and management services, partnering with private foundations and individual donors to deepen understanding, inspire hope, and spark creative, collaborative solutions that drive courageous action.After more than 15 years of high-impact work with foundations and communities across the United States, Intentional Philanthropy is entering its next phase of growth, partnering with philanthropic leaders across sectors to share knowledge, strengthen institutions, and build solutions that help communities thrive beyond political cycles. We believe we achieve more when we work together!Grounded in the values of courage, excellence, integrity, humility, collaboration, and innovation, IP delivers right-sized solutions, from strategic planning and grantmaking to family engagement and transition support, with a practical, client-centered approach.Position Overview The Senior Manager, Foundation Operations provides hands-on, client-facing operational management for a portfolio of private foundations and philanthropic projects. As an outsourced operations partner, the role independently manages recurring processes across grants, finance, payroll and HR, investments, governance, compliance, projects, and client records.Working with a Director or other client lead, the Senior Manager serves as a day-to-day operational contact, coordinates with clients and external partners, develops client-ready materials, supports meetings and research, and follows work through completion. The Director retains overall relationship ownership, and the Senior Manager escalates matters involving strategy, legal or fiduciary interpretation, employee relations, or material risk.This opportunity is well suited to a highly organized, service-minded professional who builds trust with people in different roles and situations, asks thoughtful questions, and cares deeply about getting the details right. The ideal candidate enjoys both independent ownership and team collaboration, knows when to seek input, and looks for practical ways to improve processes and client service.This is a full-time, exempt, hybrid role based in the DMV region, with periodic in-office collaboration at IP's Bethesda, Maryland office. Employees should be able to commute to the office and travel within the DC metro area as needed. Occasional overnight travel, evening, or weekend work may be required.Scope & Accountability An established contributor responsible for leading multiple projects or workstreams with limited guidance. Coordinates across teams, anticipates challenges, and improves processes for efficiency and consistency. Exercises growing judgment and escalates decisions with broader risk or strategic impact.Roles & Responsibilities Financial, Payroll, HR & Investment AdministrationFinancial & Budget Administration: Manage client accounts payable, reimbursements, credit-card activity, and other approved transactions; develop and monitor operating budgets; review financial reports; coordinate tax and audit preparation; monitor cash needs; and research routine discrepancies. Payroll, Benefits & Leave Administration: Coordinate client payroll, benefits, retirement plans, and leave administration; review payroll for accuracy; coordinate employee and deduction changes and corrections; support year-end payroll requirements; and maintain accurate records. Talent Acquisition & Employee Lifecycle: Support client compensation benchmarking, hiring, onboarding, performance cycles, and offboarding; maintain required employment documentation; and coordinate routine employee lifecycle needs in partnership with client leaders and qualified HR resources. HR Systems, Policies & Employee Experience: Maintain HRIS data, employee records, handbooks, policies, and related resources; coordinate HR and benefits vendors, compliance requirements, training, and employee-engagement initiatives; and escalate employee-relations, legal, compensation, or policy matters appropriately. Investment Administration: Execute approved investment-related administrative activities, including account documentation, cash transfers, capital calls, distributions, and coordination with banks, custodians, investment advisors, and client contacts, while escalating investment analysis, policy, or advice. Client Operations & Project ManagementDay-to-Day Client Operations: Serve as a responsive operational contact for assigned foundations, projects, and workstreams; manage workflows, timelines, deliverables, and routine client needs; and coordinate with clients, colleagues, grantees, advisors, and vendors through completion. Workplans & Organizational Projects: Develop and maintain workplans, calendars, and deadline trackers and manage defined client projects from launch through completion, coordinating responsibilities, approvals, and follow-through. Client Meetings: Contribute to meeting planning on behalf of clients; manage meeting logistics, including accommodations, meals, agenda development, technology set-up, speaker preparation, follow-up, and participant management Advisor & Vendor Coordination: Coordinate administrative work with client accountants, attorneys, investment advisors, insurers, banks, and other vendors and professional advisors; track requests and deliverables and escalate substantive or unresolved matters appropriately. Grants AdministrationGrant Application & Administration: Support the implementation of grant application processes and independently manage assigned grantmaking workflows, including applications and invitations, approvals, grant agreements, payment, reporting, and closeout in accordance with each foundation's established policies and procedures. Applicant & Grantee Communication: Manage timely and respectful communication with applicants and grantees throughout the grantmaking process, including application requirements, due-diligence questions, grant agreements, payment information, reporting requirements, and follow-up. Grant Payments, Records & Reporting: Process grant payment requests, ensuring appropriate approvals and verification of payment information; maintain accurate grant records and supporting documentation; track reporting and payment requirements and deadlines; and support development of grant summaries, reports, and other client materials. Governance & Client InitiativesClient Deliverables: Draft agendas, materials, and follow-up, including meeting minutes, and document decisions and action items.Governance, Compliance & Records: Maintain governance records, policies and procedures, compliance requirements, and organized client files; coordinate tax, audit, insurance, and other required documentation, filings, and deadlines.Research & Strategy Support: Conduct and synthesize background research for client projects, including governance and operational matters, and contribute research and operational insight to strategy development. Reports & Presentations: Translate research, data, and findings into clear reports, presentations, visual graphics, memos, and other materials that support client discussions and decision-making. Process Improvement, Quality & Team ContributionProcess Improvement & Quality Control: Develop and improve procedures, templates, checklists, workflows, and controls; review records, transactions, and deliverables for completeness and accuracy; monitor adherence to established processes; and identify recurring gaps or opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, and client service. Team Coordination & Knowledge Sharing: Coordinate effectively with colleagues contributing to assigned client work, share operational knowledge and resources, and collaboratively improve processes and service delivery. Organizational Contribution: Contribute operational information, research, and implementation insight to proposals, service improvements, and defined cross-functional projects as needed.Education & Experience Bachelor's degree in business administration, nonprofit management, accounting, finance, human resources, public administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.A minimum of six years of progressively responsible experience in foundation operations, client services, grants administration, nonprofit or professional-services operations, financial or payroll administration, human resources administration, organizational project management, or a related area.Demonstrated experience independently managing detailed, deadline-driven processes and projects involving grants, financial transactions, payroll or HR administration, investments, governance, client records, or other confidential and compliance-sensitive information.Experience working directly with clients, boards, grantees, external advisors, vendors, or other senior stakeholders and developing polished client-facing deliverables.Hands-on experience with grants management, accounting, expense management, payroll, investment administration, project management, or related business systems; experience with Foundant, QuickBooks Online, and Bill.com is preferred.Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Foundation Operations: Working knowledge of grantmaking, financial administration, payroll, investments, foundation HR, governance, compliance, and records management.Client Service & Communication: Strong interpersonal, writing, research, and client-service skills, with the ability to synthesize information, communicate clearly with diverse stakeholders, and develop high-quality client-ready deliverables.Project & Process Management: Ability to independently manage multiple clients, projects, and recurring operational workstreams from start to finish while coordinating priorities, deadlines, approvals, and stakeholders.Quality, Judgment & Confidentiality: Exceptional attention to detail and sound judgment in maintaining accurate, confidential records; applying established policies and controls; resolving routine issues; and recognizing when matters require escalation.Systems Proficiency: Ability to effectively learn and use grants management, accounting, payroll, expense-management, investment, project-management, and related business systems.Organization, Collaboration & Follow-Through: Ability to manage high-volume, deadline-driven work, collaborate effectively, adapt to changing client needs, incorporate feedback, and consistently deliver complete, accurate, and responsive work.Core Competencies Job Knowledge & Skills: Fluent in their business area. Able to identify problems and help develop customized solutions. Business Growth Mindset: Demonstrates excellence in service and delivery that strengthens trust and long-term relationships. Contributes accurate information and insights to proposals, initiatives, or internal planning efforts. Communication: Summarizes and organizes data and thoughts clearly and adapts the message for the audience. Creativity: Challenges assumptions and reframes problems to uncover new opportunities. Critical Thinking: Asks questions that clarify key issues and seek alignment with values and priorities. Is aware of a variety of resources and able to see bias in resources. Dependability: Manages timelines and responsibilities to coordinate their work across teams. Engagement: Proactively communicates additional information or changes with team members. Initiative: Proactively advances client or project goals. Anticipates challenges and improves processes for efficiency and consistency.Benefits & Compensation The salary range for this position is $73,500–$98,000, commensurate with directly relevant experience, demonstrated Senior Manager-level competencies, and internal equity.At Intentional Philanthropy, we believe people do their best work when they feel supported and valued. Our benefits package is designed to promote well-being, flexibility, and long-term stability for our team members and their families.Our benefits include: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Accounts Short-term and long-term disability insurance Retirement savings plan with employer contribution Employee discount programsTeam members also receive a generous paid leave program, including vacation, sick and safe leave, personal leave, and holidays to support rest, renewal, and balance.Equal Opportunity StatementAt Intentional Philanthropy, we believe that every person brings a unique perspective and experience to our team. We are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to thrive. As an equal-opportunity employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and walks of life. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity or gender expression), sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.How to ApplyWe welcome candidates who are energized by mission-driven work and who bring initiative, curiosity, sound judgment, and a commitment to excellent internal service.Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter describing what draws them to this role and how their experience has prepared them to support complex internal operations, HR administration, technology, workplace systems, and cross-functional projects.Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered. No phone calls, please.