Senior Manager, Special Projects (Remote)

<div class="content-intro"><p>GiveDirectly has delivered more than $1B in cash directly to 2+ million people living in poverty across 15 countries since 2011. We believe cash transfers are one of the most scalable, cost-effective, and dignified forms of aid, with the <u><span><a href="https://www.givedirectly.org/gdresearch/" target="_blank">research</a></span></u> to back it up. Our work has been covered by&nbsp;<u><span><a href="https://www.economist.com/special-report/2024/01/10/givedirectly-does-what-it-says-on-the-tin" target="_blank">The Economist</a></span></u>, <u><span><a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2023/12/07/1217478771/its-one-of-the-biggest-experiments-in-fighting-global-poverty-now-the-results-ar" target="_blank">NPR</a></span></u>, <u><span><a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/rory_stewart_to_end_extreme_poverty_give_cash_not_advice" target="_blank">TED</a></span></u>, and <u><span><a href="https://www.givedirectly.org/washingtonpost-apr-2024/" target="_blank">The Washington Post</a></span></u><u>. </u>We are one of&nbsp;<u><span><a href="https://time.com/collection/time100-most-influential-companies/2026/givedirectly/" target="_blank">Time100’s</a></span></u> Most Influential Companies of 2026.<span><a href="https://www.givedirectly.org/washingtonpost-apr-2024/" target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></span></p> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Our culture is candid, analytical, and non-hierarchical. We support high ownership and real professional growth. Curious about what it's really like to work here? Read our <a class="underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current" href="https://www.givedirectly.org/givedirectly-values/">values</a> and <a class="underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current" href="https://www.givedirectly.org/careers/">hear from the people who do</a>. If they resonate, this could be a great fit!</p></div><p style="line-height: 1;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Level</strong>: Senior Manager</span></p> <p style="line-height: 1;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Reports to: </strong>Director, Special Projects</span></p> <p style="line-height: 1;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Location: </strong>This role is fully remote but must overlap with an East Africa timezone by at least 3 hours. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment Visas in the U.S. or U.K. at this time.</span></p> <p style="line-height: 1;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Travel Requirement: </strong>Must be able to travel ~1-2 times per year to one of our countries of operation for team retreats or field visits<strong>.<br><br></strong></span></p> <h4><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>About this Role</strong></span></h4> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">GiveDirectly’s Special Projects team is a lean, high-performing group responsible for identifying, shaping, and executing the organization’s most ambitious revenue growth opportunities — big bets that can unlock step-change impact for people in poverty rather than incremental gains.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As Senior Manager, Special Projects, you will own a focused portfolio of high-stakes, external opportunities and be accountable for moving one priority initiative forward at a time — from early exploration through strategy and execution. These efforts often sit at the intersection of fundraising, marketing, product, and research, and require both sharp strategic thinking and strong execution.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A key focus of this role will be developing and advancing new pathways to mobilize large-scale resources and partnerships from leading organizations at the frontier of technology and innovation. This will involve identifying emerging opportunities, shaping compelling strategic narratives, and building relationships with the potential to deliver millions for people in poverty.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This role is ideal for someone who thrives in high-ambiguity environments, is energized by building something new from scratch, and is motivated by forging strong internal and external relationships and translating complex ideas into real-world impact.</span></p> <h4><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>What you’ll do:</strong></span></h4> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Identify and shape high-potential opportunities</strong> – Build and refine a pipeline of “big bet” initiatives by synthesizing internal priorities, market signals, and emerging trends, and rapidly translating ambiguous ideas into clear strategies, theories of change, and milestones with success metrics.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Own and drive end-to-end execution of priority initiatives </strong>– Take ownership for advancing one high-stakes opportunity at a time from concept through execution, maintaining momentum over weeks or months and increasing hit rates across a portfolio of bets.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Lead complex cross-functional collaboration</strong> – Align and mobilize teams across Product, Programs, Research, Finance, and other functions to unlock new funding pathways and deliver against ambitious, organization-wide goals.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Build and manage high-value external relationships</strong> – Develop new partnerships with senior stakeholders, particularly in technically sophisticated and fast-evolving sectors, and support or lead engagement with major donors, foundations, and strategic partners.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Develop tailored partnership and funding strategies </strong>– Create bespoke engagement plans, pitch materials, and narratives that resonate with specific partners and unlock large-scale, funding opportunities.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Support high-stakes decision making and leadership engagement</strong> – Partner closely with senior leadership (including at CEO and Board level) to prepare for critical external meetings and gatherings.</span></li> </ul> <h4><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>What you’ll bring:</strong></span></h4> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Exceptional alignment with<strong> </strong><a href="https://www.givedirectly.org/givedirectly-values/"><strong>GiveDirectly Values</strong></a> and active demonstration of our core competencies: emotional intelligence, problem solving, project management, follow-through, and fostering inclusivity. We welcome and strongly encourage applications from candidates who have personal or professional experience in the low-income and/or historically marginalized communities that we serve.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Language Requirement: English</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">7+ years of experience in a fast-paced, high-performance environment (e.g., consulting, technology, startups, nonprofit fundraising, or related fields)&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A track record of tenacious problem solving, taking ownership, and delivering results in ambiguous, high-stakes contexts</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Strong cross-functional leadership skills, with the ability to align senior stakeholders without formal authority</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Experience shaping, securing, or supporting multi-million-dollar partnerships, investments, or strategic initiatives</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Excellent written and verbal communication skills, especially for high-stakes, external-facing materials</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Strong prioritization and self-management skills, with comfort operating across multiple workstreams</span></li> </ul> <h4><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Additional areas of expertise we’re excited about:</strong></span></h4> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fluency in technology-driven environments, with the ability to engage credibly with technical or product-oriented partners</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Existing relationships or networks with senior leaders, founders, operators, or investors at major global organizations</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Comfort using AI tools in day-to-day work, or strong eagerness and demonstrated ability to rapidly build this capability</span></li> </ul> <h4><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Compensation</strong></span></h4> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">At GiveDirectly, we strive to pay our employees generously and equitably. We use an accredited third party salary aggregator to calculate what we believe to be competitive pay based on role, location, and cost of living. We also have a no negotiation policy to ensure we are paying staff equitably across roles. Read more about our compensation philosophy&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1onxCdQX_DacG0812Wr99LF6zlMTg7RTP/view?usp=sharing"><strong>here</strong></a>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Unless otherwise noted, the benefits stipend may be used to cover benefits or taken as additional taxable income.</span></p> <p data-start="322" data-end="341"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong data-start="322" data-end="339">United States</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="line-height: 1;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Base Salary</strong>: $109,200</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Bonus at Target Performance:</strong> 10% (~$10,920, with potential for upside. For reference, with the organization’s current performance multiplier, this amount would be $12,776 in 2025)</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Estimated Total Compensation at Target</strong>: $120,120+</span></li> <li style="line-height: 1;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Annual Benefits Stipend</strong>:&nbsp;$21,393</span></li> </ul> <h4><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Why work at GiveDirectly?</strong></span></h4> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">At GiveDirectly, we work to ensure that you have everything you need to excel in your role and on your team, including:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A supportive team that works hard and cares hard</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A robust health benefits plan (exact details will vary by country)</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Flexible paid time off that staff is encouraged to take</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Allowances for desk set-up and learning and development</span></li> </ul> <p><span class="il" style="font-size: 12pt;">&nbsp;#LI-REMOTE</span></p><div class="content-conclusion"><p><strong>Working at GiveDirectly</strong></p> <p>GiveDirectly is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to the person’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.</p> <p><em>Flagging for US applicants:</em> We invite you to "<a href="https://app.getguru.com/card/TrxrEknc/US-Federal-Law-on-Workplace-Discrimination">Know Your Rights</a>" as an applicant.</p> <p><strong>Commitment to Safeguarding</strong></p> <p>As a global organization working with communities to eliminate extreme poverty, GiveDirectly takes the safeguarding of its recipients, staff, and partners seriously. To that end, GiveDirectly is a member of the&nbsp;<u data-stringify-type="underline"><a class="c-link" href="https://misconduct-disclosure-scheme.org/" target="_blank" data-stringify-link="https://misconduct-disclosure-scheme.org/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Misconduct Disclosure Scheme</a></u>, and will systematically check with previous employers about any abuse or misconduct related matters involving potential new hires. We may also employ other robust pre-hire screens, including in-depth reference checks, criminal background checks, and sanctions screens.</p> <p>These efforts help us continue to build and maintain trust with the communities we work with, and prevent abuse to our recipients and staff.</p> <p>**GD is committed to observing all local, national and international laws that protect people and basic human rights of all. GD is committed to a policy of “zero tolerance when it comes to preventing,&nbsp; reporting, or responding to any form of abuse or&nbsp; exploitation.” and expects anyone who works for GD to uphold the protection and safeguarding of our recipients as a priority.**</p> <p><strong>Reasonable Accommodations</strong></p> <p>We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment. If you require any accommodations during the application or interview process, or to perform the essential functions of the role, please email us at careers@givedirectly.org with the email subject “Accommodation Needed”. We will work with you to ensure reasonable accommodations are made to support your needs.</p> <p><strong><span class="il">Want to put your best foot forward on your GiveDirectly application?</span></strong><span class="il"> Take a look at our <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JRyU81RnTGHQrw9nHTPw7oe_urTDh9JT/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Candidate Application Prep Guide</a><strong>!</strong></span></p></div>