The Audacious Project is a collaborative funding initiative and project of TED that is unlocking social impact on a grand scale. By inviting the world’s changemakers to dream bigger than ever before, the Audacious Project surfaces ideas with the potential to affect millions of lives and impact entire systems. We support selected applicants in shaping their ideas into actionable, multi-year proposals. We then convene a community of donors who collectively contribute large-scale funding directly to individual organizations. 

Now in its fifth year, the Audacious Project has catalyzed nearly $3 billion for 38 organizations engaged in a wide range of social impact efforts around the world. Beyond mobilizing capital, our design is dynamic and responsive to the needs of projects once they receive transformative funding. To that end, we have set out to build our capacity to help projects achieve their goals for both impact and sustainability.

This role is part of the Discovery & Insight team of “idea catalysts” for The Audacious Project. This growing team is responsible for building and nurturing the pipeline of future Audacious projects and curating a multi-year, diverse, global pool of inspiring ideas and leaders. 

The Manager on the Discovery & Insight team will support sourcing, research, and composition, using a variety of methods to learn about and landscape potential impact areas; identify breakthrough ideas; and support social change leaders in bringing forward bold, credible projects for philanthropic consideration. Our model is unique and growing. We are looking for a builder and doer, someone excited to try out new methods of sourcing; excellent at research; who enjoys pulling together insights into clear and compellingly written prose; and enjoys building and supporting networks of social entrepreneurs, sourcers, experts and more.

Based remotely or in New York, NY (USA), with travel to New York, San Francisco, CA (USA), and globally. 

Responsibilities: 
This person will work closely with the Managing Director of Discovery & Insight and rest of the team to: 

• Research and landscape potential areas for impact and funding – tracking new trends in impact, identifying and analyzing potential new areas and ideas for funding; building and leveraging diverse relationships to conduct deep sector analysis to stay at the forefront of social change, ultimately contributing to a rich pipeline of potential Audacious ideas 
• Help build and support a multi-year pipeline of inspiring social impact ideas and entrepreneurs. 
• Construct and produce engaging, fact-based funding documentation, to succinctly and compellingly articulate the core model, vision, opportunity, risk, and impact potential for potential issue areas and ideas, for internal and external audiences, in the form of funding memos, donor updates, concise research reports, and more
• Support investigation and diligence (i.e., business, equity and impact diligence) on funding opportunities, and their comprehensive review and selection to curate a compelling cohort. Support across cycle execution. 

This position is open to those who have completed a minimum of bachelor’s level training; have experience researching, writing, cultivating and evaluating for funding, social impact ideas; enjoy working in a startup or “scrappy” context; have worked internationally, supporting marginalized voices around the world; and are champions of new ideas and upsetting the status quo. 

We are especially interested in candidates who have worked in minority-serving institutions and who have a demonstrated commitment to equity.

Specific Qualifications:

• Deep passion for Audacious’ mission and approach to social change
• High tolerance for ambiguity and ability to own and drive work with limited day-to-day guidance and structure; ability to thrive in a dynamic environment  
• 4+ years relevant work experience, across the following: 
  • Research, landscaping – experience with investigating and landscaping potential areas for funding, especially nascent spaces with limited research reports and information available [Required]
  • Writing & communications – able to articulate research findings and analyses in a clear, compelling and concise way, whether in long-form memos, oral presentations, or in decks; experience with fact-based persuasive writing or journalism a plus [Required]
  • Global social impact experience —  experience working in lower middle income and emerging markets (particularly across Mexico and Latin America), working for a social enterprise, innovative non-profit, grassroots or community development organization, or climate initiative [Required]
  •  Funding, investing or grant-making – experience building pipeline and funding organizations and/or projects for social and/or environmental impact
  • Relationship support – experience building and managing diverse networks; able to fluidly switch between – and build trust and buy-in within – funder and grantee relationships, in service of mission, values, and the impact groups we ultimately serve 
  •  Experience sourcing, researching or funding climate or science initiatives a plus
• Deep curiosity, sense of humor, caring about team culture, working together, and also challenging each other to shake up viewpoints, biases, mindsets
• High sense of personal responsibility and integrity; deep commitment to equity
• Fluency in various formats, with different tools and information management systems (e.g. Airtable, Google Suite, Salesforce)
• BA/BS, and possibly a relevant graduate degree

Benefits: $90,000 - $120,000

In-Office COVID Protocol:
Due to in-person meetings and occasional office requirements, proof of full vaccination will be required prior to acceptance of employment 

Benefits:

• Full health benefits (medical, dental, vision) 100% paid by TED for employees
• Paid family leave
• Work-life balance encouraged (TED closes for a 2-week summer break and 1-week winter break plus you're eligible for additional paid time off)
• Free OneMedical and SpringHealth membership for you and your dependents to address physical and mental well-being 
• 401k 

Workplace Conditions / Physical, Mental and Visual Demands:

• General: Office environment 
• Physical: Repetitive movement of wrists, hands, and/or fingers
• Mental/Visual: Concentrated mental and/or visual attention; work involves performing tasks to very close accuracy and quality specifications
• Machines, Tools, Equipment, Electronic Devices, Computer Software: Ability to use common office equipment such as telephone, computer and copier
• Computer programs to include MS Office, Mac programs, Google Docs, functional related databases
• Travel: Upon request

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.