Institutional Grants Manager

The Morton Arboretum is a world-renowned nonprofit organization dedicated to a greener, healthier, more beautiful world where people and trees thrive together. We are seeking an experienced individual to join our team to provide institutional grant leadership, oversight and portfolio development. To be successful in this position, the candidate will need to be detail-oriented, well-organized, and enjoy collaborating with colleagues within the department and across the institution. You’ll be part of a great team working together to make the Arboretum exceptional.

Position Summary: Manage the pre-award and non-financial post-award restricted funding process. Work collaboratively across the institution to support principal investigators through the proposal development, internal review, submittal, and award management process. Lead the tracking and analysis of success rates across all restricted grantseeking.  Manage a small portfolio of foundation and government relationships, qualify funders and cultivate new gifts, and contribute to overall institutional giving goals. Draft and edit proposals and reports demonstrating the impact of the Arboretum through its science, conservation, and engagement work.

Essential Functions: 

• Manage pre-award proposal development, internal approvals, and submittals, plus non-financial aspects of post-award administration such as modification requests, grant period extensions, response to funder queries, and other requirements for award administration.

• Provide technical assistance to principal investigators and grant project leaders on the administration and implementation of government grants. Identify and address training needs.

• Ensure compliance with Arboretum grant policies and processes.  

• Identify and research funding opportunities for government and foundation grants, and share information with relevant departments.

• Develop and manage a portfolio of government and foundation donors and prospects. Effectively manage, cultivate, solicit, and steward funders, with emphasis on the ability to identify Arboretum programs and initiatives that match the funders interests, develop/submit proposals, and execute deliverables.

• Work closely with internal program staff and researchers from multiple departments to collect information to be used in corporate, foundation, and government grant applications, proposals, and reports.

• Produce monthly budget variance reports and update revenue/pipeline tracking to ensure revenue goals are met.

• Support priority programs and events for the development department, and other Arboretum events, as needed.

• Track activity and awards in Salesforce database and Smartsheets.

• Demonstrate alignment with the Arboretum’s employee core values to be inclusive, take ownership, work together, keep learning, and make the Arboretum exceptional.

• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree required. 5 + years of demonstrated successful grant administration, or similar experience with a non-profit organization required. Experience using Constituent Resource Management Systems (CRM) and federal and state grant processes expected. Strong research, writing and editing, and verbal communication skills required. Proficient with Microsoft Office and Google applications. 

Success Factors: Ability to handle sensitive information in a confidential manner. Customer service oriented, with the ability to exercise diplomacy and tact in dealing with both internal and external constituents and their requests. Comfortable representing the organization confidently and professionally. Highly organized and detail oriented, with the ability to prioritize independently and successfully meet the demands and deadlines of multiple projects. A commitment to, and ability to effectively convey, the Arboretum’s mission with genuine passion, and the willingness to continually learn about the programs and mission. 

Physical Demands and Work Environment:  The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Physical Demands: Requires some physical activity: limited lifting and carrying (up to 10 lbs.), and occasional travel around the Arboretum grounds and locally.

• Work Environment: Fast-paced office environment. Work is primarily performed indoors with occasional outdoors activity.

• Equipment: General office equipment, Arboretum golf cart.

• Schedule: Position may require occasional extended work hours, including evenings and weekends.

The expected hiring range for this exempt position is $63,400-$80,000 based on experience that will be evaluated during the candidate selection process. We believe in the importance of pay equity and consider the internal equity of our current team members as a part of the final offer. This position is also eligible for a competitive benefits package

For full consideration, please include a resume and cover letter with the application.

The Morton Arboretum is a champion for diversity, supporting a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Arboretum is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status. To increase diversity in professions related to the public garden realm, we encourage applications from underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans.

The Morton Arboretum is dedicated to complying with our obligations as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All applicants are guaranteed equal consideration for employment.