Portfolio & Operations Manager

PORTFOLIO & OPERATIONS MANAGER

The California Endowment is seeking a Portfolio & Operations Manager, Los Angeles Office. Reporting to the Director, Communications & Civic Information Infrastructure, this hybrid role will report 2 days on-site in one of our five offices (Los Angeles, Sacramento, Oakland, Fresno and San Diego).

We expect to accept applications until November 30, 2026. However, because we review candidates as they apply, the role may be filled before this date. To ensure your application is considered in the first wave of interviews, please submit your materials as soon as possible.

The California Endowment (The Endowment) is a private, statewide health foundation established in 1996 whose mission is to expand access to affordable, quality health care for underserved individuals and communities and to promote fundamental improvements in the health status of all Californians. We envision a California that leads the nation as a powerful and conscientious voice for wellness, inclusion, and shared prosperity.

Headquartered in downtown Los Angeles, the Endowment has regional offices in Sacramento, Oakland, Fresno and San Diego, with staff working throughout the state. We challenge the conventional wisdom that medical settings and individual choices are solely responsible for people’s health. We believe that health happens in neighborhoods, schools, and with prevention.

Position Summary:

The Portfolio & Operations Manager is responsible for supporting the operational execution and infrastructure needed to advance The Endowment’s Community Infrastructure Strategy. This role manages the day-to-day operations of the portfolio, supports responsible stewardship of The Endowment’s resources, and ensures grants and strategic initiatives are implemented efficiently and in alignment with organizational priorities.

This role ensures the effective management of grantmaking operations, portfolio systems, financial resources, compliance requirements, and organizational processes that enable effective grantmaking, strategic partnerships, and operational excellence in support of community impact.

Working collaboratively across the enterprise, the Portfolio & Operations Manager advances operational excellence, continuous improvement, and effective execution of initiatives that strengthen community infrastructure, civic engagement, and community power across California.

This position reports to the Director, Communications & Civic Information Infrastructure, serving as a critical partner, translating strategy into effective systems, processes, and operational practices.

Key Responsibilities:

Portfolio & Grantmaking Operations

• Leads the operational execution of the Community Infrastructure Strategy portfolio, ensuring effective implementation of grants, strategic partnerships, and key initiatives.
• Manages grantmaking operations from proposal development through approval, contracting, payment, monitoring, reporting, and closeout.
• Maintains portfolio management systems, dashboards, timelines, and reporting tools that support effective decision-making and accountability.
• Coordinates cross-functional workflows among Communications, Grantmaking Effectiveness, Finance, Evaluation & Learning, and Operations teams.
• Supports the administration of rapid-response funding opportunities, ensuring timely deployment of resources while maintaining appropriate stewardship and compliance standards.
• Monitors portfolio activities, deliverables, and milestones to ensure alignment with strategic priorities.
• Identifies and implements process improvements that enhance grantmaking efficiency, transparency, and partner experience.

Financial, Contract & Compliance Management

• Supports the development and management of portfolio budgets, forecasts, and resource allocation plans.
• Tracks grant commitments and expenditures while ensuring alignment with approved budgets and strategic priorities.
• Manages operational processes related to contracts, consultants, vendors, and external partners, including coordination of approvals, documentation, deliverables, and renewals.
• Ensures compliance with The Endowment policies, grantmaking requirements, contractual obligations, and applicable regulations.
• Maintains accurate records, documentation, and reporting systems to support accountability, audits, and organizational learning.
• Identifies operational risks and recommends solutions that strengthen internal controls, operational processes, and effective stewardship of Endowment resources.

Learning, Evaluation & Community Intelligence Support

• Partners with the Director, Community Infrastructure and Evaluation & Learning team to support portfolio learning, evaluation, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Coordinates collection, tracking, and reporting of portfolio outcomes, learning insights, and performance measures.
• Supports operational aspects of the Community Intelligence Commons, including information management, knowledge sharing systems, and community intelligence activities.
• Develops reports, dashboards, presentations, and materials that communicate portfolio performance, impact, and key learnings.
• Ensures operational data and community intelligence are accessible and useful for strategic planning, communications, and decision-making.

Convenings, Partnerships & Initiatives Support

• Supports implementation of initiatives that strengthen civic communications, narrative infrastructure, trusted information ecosystems, and community engagement.
• Coordinates operational aspects of strategic partnerships, learning communities, convenings, and collaborative initiatives.
• Leads planning and logistics for meetings, partner convenings, workshops, and events that advance portfolio goals.
• Manages communications workflows, project timelines, and coordination efforts that support department goals.
• Ensures stakeholders, partners, and consultants receive timely information, materials, and operational support.

Department Operations & Planning

• Supports the Director, Community Infrastructure Strategy, in planning, prioritization, and execution of portfolio goals and initiatives.
• Develops and maintains systems, processes, operating rhythms, and project management tools that strengthen team effectiveness and accountability.
• Coordinates annual planning, goal setting, budgeting, and reporting activities.
• Supports cross-departmental initiatives and enterprise-wide projects that advance organizational priorities.
• Fosters a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, operational excellence, and equity-centered practices.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Desired Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of grantmaking operations, non-profit and philanthropic practices.
• Strong project and portfolio management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Understanding of community power-building, civic engagement, community infrastructure, and equity-centered philanthropy.
• Ability to analyze information, identify trends, and develop practical solutions that improve operational effectiveness.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, presentations, and executive-level materials.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects, budgets, and cross-departmental collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships across departments and with external stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and experience using grants management, project management, and/or collaboration platforms.
• Commitment to equity inclusion, and community-centered practices.

Minimum Experience:

• Minimum five years of experience in portfolio management, grantmaking operations, project management, preferably within philanthropy, nonprofit, or public sector organizations.
• A bachelor’s degree in public administration, nonprofit management, communications or related field is equivalent to 4 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects, portfolios, budgets, contracts, or operational initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
• Experience supporting initiatives focused on health equity, racial equity, community development, civic engagement, or systems change preferred.

Salary Range:

Target Hiring Range: $102,000-$127,000

Full Salary Range: $102,000-$152,000

Compensation offers are determined based on the candidate’s relevant experience, market data, and internal equity. Most offers fall within the target hiring range, with the full salary range reserved to support growth and progression over time in the role.

TCE Benefits and Perks

• Shared medical and dental premiums for employees and eligible dependents
• 100% employer-paid benefits: vision, life and AD&D, STD, LTD and employee assistance program
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Reimbursement towards gym fees and/or wellness program and mental health care
• 9-80 schedule with synchronized off days
• Hybrid work schedule available for most positions
• 11 paid holidays + paid winter holiday closure
• Generous paid time off (PTO)
• 401k plan with generous employer match and contributions
• Matching gifts program
• Paid parking or public transportation subsidy
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Monthly BYOD stipend

The California Endowment’s goal is to hire qualified staff reflecting the rich diversity of all Californians. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to advancing health and racial equity in California. We are committed to creating a work environment in which all individuals are valued and respected. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. We define diversity in broad terms to include race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, geography, socio-economic status, veteran status, and prior criminal history, in accordance with local, state and/or federal laws.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening, apply for a position, or participate in the interview process, please connect with us at hrforms@calendow.org and describe the specific accommodation request for a disability-related limitation.