Careers at RPB

RPB is currently hiring for two positions on its staff: Assistant to the Director of Grants Management and Executive Assistant to the President. See below for details. 

About Research to Prevent Blindness

Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) is the leading nonprofit organization supporting eye research directed at the prevention, treatment, or eradication of all diseases that damage and destroy sight. As part of this purview, RPB supports efforts to grow and sustain a robust and diverse vision research community. Since it was founded in 1960 by Dr. Jules Stein, RPB has awarded more than $413 million in research grants to the most talented vision scientists at the nation’s leading medical schools. As a result, RPB has been associated with nearly every major breakthrough in the understanding and treatment of vision loss in the past 64 years. 

Assistant to the Director of Grants Management

Grants Management Department

Part-time Position – 3 or 4 days/week - Hybrid

Position Summary

The primary role of the Assistant to the Grants Management Director will be to support all aspects of the Organization’s grantmaking as part of a collaborative team by ensuring applications and grants are successfully processed in compliance with all grantmaking policies and procedures. Additionally, the Assistant to the Director of Grants Management will coordinate special awards and progress report submissions and reviews. This will include working with the applicants, grantees, and reviewers to ensure all documents/materials are distributed, assigned, and submitted in a timely manner. This position reports to the Director of Grants Management.

Responsibilities

Assist with the grantmaking process and provide links between RPB’s scientific reviewers, staff, and grantees to implement all grantmaking activities smoothly; responsibilities include:

• Ensure compliance with all of RPB’s grant-making policies and procedures while understanding the eligibility criteria for the awards.
• Support and review application submissions; ensure that all requirements are completed; and ensure the accuracy and completeness of organization records, applications, and related supporting documentation.
• Assist with the preparation and distribution of application assignments and additional materials to various review committees, in addition to conducting internet searches to identify reviewers and contact information.
• Assist with the preparation and distribution of guidelines and request mid-term reports from grantees and awardees, including follow-ups.
• Assist with the planning and execution of review committee meetings, including logistics, docket preparation and distribution of materials for each meeting.
• Support daily workflows to ensure efficient grant and reporting processes; provide responsive support and troubleshooting to internal staff and external partners. Maintain appropriate electronic and physical files related to all aspects of the grant cycle.
• Handle the annual compilation of RPB’s grantee bibliography.
• Collaborate within the Grants Management team, cross-train with other unit members, and coordinate across the organization's departments.
• Provide timely and professional customer service to internal staff and external partners.
• Help maintain the accuracy and integrity of data entered into RPB’s Grant Management System, including data cleanup and ongoing quality control.
• Assist the Director of Grants Management in performing additional duties and special projects as needed.

The duties listed above are intended as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Qualifications

• The ideal candidate uses time effectively and efficiently, concentrating efforts on the more important priorities. Highly organized, proactive problem solver, fast-learner, and detail-oriented. Has the capacity to manage competing priorities and tight deadlines. Flexible and comfortable with multitasking.

Education:

• A bachelor’s degree and experience with the Blackbaud (GIFTS Online) database are preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Strong proficiency in using the internet and software applications, such as Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, and Webex.

Experience:

• The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 3 years of experience in grants management in a philanthropic, nonprofit, or related organization. Knowledge of grants management and reporting software, specifically GIFTS Online, is strongly preferred, as is proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and internet research.

Skills:

• This individual will be detail-oriented, organized, teamwork-oriented, and adaptable, with proven analytical and problem-solving skills. Strong organizational skills combined with initiative, resourcefulness, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines. Ability to maintain and respect sensitive and confidential information related to grant recommendations, grantees, donors, office communications, and matters in general. Because the nature of the role includes regular interactions with our team, grantees, and other constituents, this individual must possess excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills while also being a good listener.

Character:

• The successful candidate will have the ability to understand and consider organizational culture and change and should be open-minded and flexible in approach. The individual must have an “all-hands-on-deck,” information-sharing, enterprising attitude with a willingness to learn and grow. The ideal candidate will be an easy learner, self-disciplined, and demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively as part of a high-performance team. 

Compensation

• This position has a salary range of 60,000 to 70,000, reflecting a position based in New York. Please note that this actual salary is commensurate with experience and reflects the budget for a given position. Flexibility may be available.
• In addition, RPB offers a competitive compensation package that includes unusually rich benefits. RPB presently pays for all health insurance premiums for the employee and 70% of health insurance premiums for qualified dependents; contributes the equivalent of 25% of an employee’s salary into a 401(k) plan after completing one year of employment; and provides the equivalent of 5% of an employee’s salary for out-of-pocket medical expenses. Some benefit provisions may change over time.

Research to Prevent Blindness is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply for this position.

Research to Prevent Blindness has retained the services of BSBSearch. Please email a cover letter and resume in confidence to:

Barbara Brown

Managing Director

BSBSearch

bbrown@bsbsearch.com

Executive Assistant to the President

Executive

Full-time Position

Position Summary

The primary role of the Executive Assistant to the President will be to support all aspects of the Organization’s mission as part of a collaborative team by facilitating communications between the President and internal and external partners while helping to execute various activities. Additionally, the Executive Assistant to the President will collaborate with the External Affairs Department in special duties and assignments. This position reports to the President of the organization.

Responsibilities

Assist the President in various matters and provide links between the President and the staff, Trustees, scientific reviewers, donors, and grantees to implement all activities smoothly; responsibilities include:

• Develop a good working understanding of RPB’s mission and related activities and the impact of the organization.
• Assist the President in the day-to-day activities of the organization while ensuring compliance with all of RPB’s policies and procedures.
• Manage the President's scheduling, including agendas and other organizational logistics. Coordinate travel logistics, including flights, hotels, and car reservations.
• Maintain information for the President's contacts.
• Support the distribution of materials for the Board of Trustees using Board Effect software. Maintain updated trustee contact information for Board Effect.
• Support the organization and logistics of Board of Trustees meetings, including hotel reservations, catering orders, event planning, and other activities as needed.
• Create and send Outlook meeting invites for the President.
• Coordinate and handle President-related events.
• Create meetings and site-visit documents as required by the President.
• Support the organization by answering the phones and troubleshooting the phone system.
• Liaise with external IT and other vendors to troubleshoot computers and other equipment for the organization.
• Assist the President and Director of External Affairs in performing additional duties and special projects as needed, including but not limited to small writing assignments for the website or e-newsletters.

The duties listed above are intended as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Qualifications

• The ideal candidate uses time effectively and efficiently, concentrating efforts on the more important priorities. Highly organized, fast learner, and detail-oriented. Has the capacity to manage competing priorities and tight deadlines. Flexible and comfortable with multitasking.

Education:

• A bachelor’s degree or the equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred.

• Strong proficiency in using the internet and software applications, such as Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, and Webex.

Experience:

• The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 3 years of experience as an executive assistant and proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and internet research. The candidate will be a proactive problem solver with exceptional communication skills and meticulous attention to detail. This person should have experience working in an office environment, performing administrative duties, and providing support to the President. Given the dynamic nature of the executive landscape, we rely on the executive assistant to be flexible and consistent while maintaining the confidentiality of high-level systems and operations.

Skills:

• This individual will be detail-oriented, teamwork-oriented, and adaptable with proven analytic and problem-solving skills while meeting deadlines. Strong organizational skills combined with initiative, resourcefulness, and the ability to manage multiple priorities with minimal direction are essential. Ability to maintain and respect sensitive and confidential information related to the work and position, as well as matters in general. Because the nature of the role includes regular interactions with our board members, team, grantees, and other constituents, this individual must possess excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills while also being a good listener.

Character:

• The successful candidate will have the ability to understand and consider organizational culture and change and should be open-minded, flexible in approach, and willing to adapt when necessary. The individual must have an “all-hands-on-deck,” information-sharing, enterprising attitude with a willingness to learn and grow. The ideal candidate will be self-disciplined and demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively as part of a high-performance team.  The ideal candidate should be confident enough to think and speak independently while being collegial and respectful. 

Compensation

• This position has a salary range of 60,000 to 80,000, reflecting a position based in New York. Please note that this actual salary is commensurate with experience and reflects the budget for a given position. Flexibility may be available.
• In addition, RPB offers a competitive compensation package that includes unusually rich benefits. RPB presently pays for all health insurance premiums for the employee and 70% of health insurance premiums for qualified dependents; contributes the equivalent of 25% of an employee’s salary into a 401(k) plan after completing one year of employment; and provides the equivalent of 5% of the employee’s salary for out-of-pocket medical expenses. Some benefit provisions may change over time.

Research to Prevent Blindness is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply for this position.

Research to Prevent Blindness has retained the services of BSBSearch. Please email a cover letter and resume in confidence to:

Barbara Brown

Managing Director

BSBSearch

bbrown@bsbsearch.com