For Granicus employees, the impact their work has on communities is not only paramount, it’s visible.
Turns out, when your customer-base consists of local, state and federal government organizations, and your mission focuses on greater civic transparency and participation, the results are nearly immediate and highly noticeable.
It’s this mission that unites Granicus’s more than 500 employees and what inspires collaboration from its entry-level staff through its C-suite — and it hasn’t been without a lack of fun.
We spoke with three Grancius team members to learn what it’s like to work for a company modernizing an industry that’s ripe for innovation and toured its brand new office that’s been designed with collaboration in mind.
FOUNDED: 1999
EMPLOYEES: 500+; 100 locally
WHAT THEY DO: Granicus supports more than 4,200 government entities from the local, state and federal sectors with cloud-based solutions that improve communications, meeting and agenda management, and digital services.
WHERE THEY DO IT: Denver
GIVING BACK: Every quarter, Grancius employees are invited and encouraged to participate in philanthropic opportunities.
YOU’RE COVERED: Grancius offers a fully covered, employer-paid healthcare option.
OPEN MIND, OPEN DOORS: Those who are communicative, open-minded, solution-oriented and a team player are most likely to succeed on the Granicus team.
Jenni Ch’ng, Product Designer
As a product designer, Jenni provides a voice to Granicus users and creates experiences that best suits their needs. The impact Granicus has on communities via government solutions, as well as her talented yet humble coworkers, inspire her.
GREEN THUMB: Jenni enjoys indoor gardening, describing her plants as her babies. She continuously evaluates new ways of keeping her plants healthy.
How do your experiences at Granicus stack up against places where you’ve worked and the roles you’ve had? What makes this the best place to work?
Granicus has been the best job I’ve had thus far. I’m fortunate to have a supportive manager who has given me a lot of autonomy and a team that provides valuable feedback. Arriving at Granicus, I knew that one of the skills I wanted to strengthen was client interaction. Most of my previous experience was with internal clients with whom I already had a relationship. At Granicus, my product team has included me throughout the entire process, from selecting clients to contact with customer support colleagues to pre-design user interviews. As a result, my confidence in speaking to clients has grown, and I’ve been leading usability testing sessions with clients.
Granicus has been the best job I’ve had thus far. I’m fortunate to have a supportive manager who has given me a lot of autonomy and a team that provides valuable feedback.”
We heard the Denver office has a fun, collaborative atmosphere. If we were to come in one day and walk around, what would we be likely to see?
Our seating assignments are based on who we frequently work with, so you’d likely hear people asking each other questions about work-in-progress, asking for feedback or discussing ideas for improvement. You’d probably also see people at their desks enjoying each other’s company and people from various teams congregating in the bar area to eat lunch. People tend to be close with their teammates, and there’s a lot of love for one another.
Suleima Garcia, Business Development Representative
Suleima is part of Granicus’s first business development representative group — something she particularly takes pride in. She and her teammates are responsible for spreading awareness of the Granicus product. She’s also a part of the “Funicus” team, a group dedicated to organizing enjoyable events for the entire company.
SADDLE UP: Her favorite non-work activity is riding her motorcycle, which has taught her how to better pay attention to others both on the road and in the workplace.
As a member of the “Funicus” team, what are some of the most memorable events you’ve been a part of?
Our most recent event, “Pride Kickoff,” has been the best yet. We had everything decorated with bright colors and had a station to make your own tie-dye shirts! It was a really big hit and everyone that was there had a great time.
What upcoming “Funicus” events are you most looking forward to and why?
Next month, we are planning an inside picnic/bring-your-kids-to-work day. We have half of the floor still open in our new office and plan on hosting yard games, card games and food. The first part of the day, parents will be able to bring their kids in to see what their parents actually do at work, and the second half of the day will be for the picnic. This event is still in the planning stages, but it’s shaping up to be our biggest event of the summer.
I have been with the company for six months and already know what position I’d like to apply for when the time is right.”
What are you looking forward to at Granicus in the next year? What’s going on in the industry that would convince others to come join your work family?
The biggest thing to look forward to with Granicus is the opportunity to be promoted. They let us know from the beginning that you’re generally in the BDR role for a year, and then you can move to different departments. Starting as a BDR is the best place to be in because you get to learn our different solutions in depth, see which one piques your interest and pursue a new position or promotion after your first year. I have been with the company for six months and already know what position I’d like to apply for when the time is right. And I know that my manager will help me get there.
Matt Kroon, Director of Strategic Programs
Matt joined Granicus a year ago looking to work for a smaller company where he could make more of an impact at the company and within the community. A govtech company with a flat hierarchy and meaningful problems? For Matt, it was the perfect fit.
TREBLE MAKER: Outside of work, Matt enjoys singing a cappella.
How does Grancius’s culture reflect the company’s mission?
We never stop moving forward since we’re powered by our mission to help make government better. We are invested in results for our customers because they impact people’s lives, whether it be in creating a better experience for getting a short-term rental permit or enrolling more families in the foster care system. We’re also unified by generosity and stronger through inclusivity as a company that aims to reflect the diverse communities we serve.
How does leadership ensure the Granicus team remains mission focused?
Part of the orientation for every new employee is a refresher course on government, how it works, and how our customers, whether city clerks, public information officers or elected officials, help to make it happen. Think of it as a less musical version of “I’m Just a Bill” from Schoolhouse Rock.
People have come to expect a great customer experience in the private sector, and there’s no reason that the public sector should be any different.”
What’s ahead for Granicus, and what are you most looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to transforming the way local governments provide digital services to their citizens. From lines at the DMV, to PDFs and other paper-based processes, many of the ways government interacts with citizens are ripe for innovation. People have come to expect a great customer experience in the private sector, and there’s no reason that the public sector should be any different.
