Head of Grants

Head of Grants

The Role

The Head of Grants is a community and education expert. You will be responsible for ensuring that the investments made by the Yael Foundation are done in the most impactful and professional way. All grants should translate into measurable KPI’s, while keeping in mind the best ROI we can achieve. You are the primary gatekeeper of the Foundation’s grants mission, tasked with ensuring that our grant-making strategy directly fulfills our organizational goals.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Investment & Impact Alignment

• Mission Integrity: Ensure that the global grants portfolio is strictly aligned with the Foundation’s mission to prioritize and elevate Jewish education. Responding to the evolving needs of the Jewish world.
• Looking Ahead: You’ll be the one to tell us where the world is going. You will spot new needs and opportunities in the field and translate them into clear advice for leadership, helping us decide when it’s time to shift our focus or double down on a new idea.
• Data driven decision: Demonstrate data analysis knowledge in order to make sure all decisions and processes are data driven.
• Agility and Flexibility: You will constantly be proactive and involved with changes and developments across the foundation.

2. Team Leadership & Professional Development

• Team Management: Lead and inspire a multidisciplinary team of grant managers and regional managers, fostering a culture of accountability and excellence.
• Grant Lifecycle Management: Oversee the entire grant lifecycle—from initial application and rigorous due diligence, through the recommendations, approvals, execution, reporting and monitoring.
• Performance Standards: Implement high-level quality control measures to ensure the team is performing at a high level standard.
• Professional Development: Actively invest in the development of your team, providing the training and coaching necessary for them to navigate the complexities that are met during the grant lifecycle.
• Operational efficacy: Refine the granting process to improve efficiency, reduce bureaucracy for schools, and enhance data collection.
• Conflict Resolution: Serve as a negotiator and problem-solver when dealing with complicated educational, political, or financial situations with our grantees. Resolve issues where grants or investments may be at risk—whether due to regional instability, management failures at the school level, or shifting local priorities.
• External Relations: Maintain and develop strategic relationships with relevant organizations and stakeholders.

3. In depth Investments

• Managing the structure of our focus projects for significant investments:
  
  
• Develop leadership programs for the leaders of relevant projects.
• Develop solutions and tools that will significantly improve the project.
• Intervene when needed in leadership mentoring and guidance.
  
  

Requirements:

• 8+ years of proven experience in Jewish community leadership, Jewish education management, or philanthropic grant-making at a senior level.
• Deep understanding of European Jewish communities, including their local dynamics, educational landscapes, and unique regional challenges.
• Extensive experience managing, mentoring and leading a large team, with a focus on building a culture of accountability.
• Experience in designing leadership development or training programs for organization heads, school principals, or community leaders.
• Strong data analysis skills with the ability to turn numbers and field data into strategic insights, KPIs, and clear advice for senior leadership.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills. You must be comfortable navigating delicate political, financial, and educational conversations with community leaders and high-level stakeholders.
• Professional fluency in English is required