Senior Specialist, Contracts and Grants

The Senior Specialist, Contracts and Grants at Environmental Defense Fund will support global grant and contract processes, ensuring compliance and efficiency. This role involves reviewing agreements, implementing process improvements, and providing training. Candidates can work remotely or in a hybrid model, preferably within commuting distance of New York or D.C. offices. The position offers opportunities for skill development and mentoring junior staff.
LocationThis position may be remote or hybrid, with a preference for candidates within commuting distance of EDF’s New York or D.C. offices.Enterprise Compliance, Legal, & Services OverviewThe EDF Enterprise Compliance, Legal, & Services (“ECLS”) team supports a portfolio of EDF entities and mission operations around the world. The Commercial Legal group sits within ECLS, and we pride ourselves as strategic legal partners that strive to anticipate, support and advance the EDF mission via its business operations and the work of its people around the world. We are a small, experienced group of professionals with a reputation for quality, collegiality, and a commitment to the team’s values and each teammate’s development and success. Overall FunctionThe Senior Specialist, Grants and Contracts, will work within the Commercial Legal function of ECLS and collaborate with Grant Contract Compliance, Legal, Development and other teams to help streamline the grant and contracting process at EDF. Reporting to the Managing Counsel – Global Commercial, this role will provide essential support to EDF’s global contract and grant making processes.This position requires refined organization, issue spotting, drafting, and negotiation skills (and a willingness to continuously learn) and will support the team and EDF’s mission globally. The Senior Specialist will be responsible for reviewing the terms of various agreements to ensure compliance with the organization’s policies, procedures and preferences and will be positioned to help support EDF’s grant and contract making process, assuring the accuracy and integrity of its legal documents. As a team, we are exposed to a broad range of legal and operational matters that a multinational nonprofit organization encounters, and this role will have a lot of opportunity to expand skills and experience over time, all with the support and guidance of teammates.Key Responsibilities Facilitate global grant and contract review, drafting, and negotiation, including flow-down provisions related to revenue generating grants, working within Commercial Legal and across departments, Development, and Mission teams.In collaboration with Procurement, Grants and other teams, ensure the completeness, accuracy and integrity of the organization’s grant and contract management system.Identify and implement process improvements in grant and contract enhance efficiency and compliance.Help develop and deliver training to staff members on the grant making process, ensuring consistency and adherence to best practices.Participate in advancing EDF DEI goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.Maintain and improve the organization’s grant and contract templates, incorporating legal and compliance updates as needed.Negotiate agreement terms with counterparties, ensuring alignment with organizational practices and risk tolerance.Assist in organizing and advancing legal team projects.Mentor and provide guidance to junior staff on best practices in grant and contract management, as needed.Prepare and present recommendations to leadership on contract-related policies, compliance risks, and operational efficiencies.Additional relevant responsibilities as assigned.Qualifications4+ years of experience as a grant or contract specialist/manager, corporate paralegal, or similar role(s) and a Bachelor's degree, paralegal or grant/contract management training, or equivalent work experience required.Results-oriented and proactive with the ability to assess and communicate requirements and effectively manage priorities and expectations.Strong attention to detail and organization required.Ability to prioritize workload, adapt to shifting approaches, and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.Excellent presentation, negotiation, and verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to discuss difficult concepts with general audiences.Sound interpersonal and communication skills with ability to interact with poise and diplomacy.Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise discretion and work in a multi-cultural environment.Interest in current issues relating to climate change, energy efficiency, clean energy, air quality and environmental justice.Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.Ability and willingness to travel up to 5% of the time.