Jobs and Careers

Senior Grants Manager

Washington, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 20 Mar 2025

💰 $116,000/yr($91,000/yr – $116,000/yr)

About the role

DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFEPOSITION DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE: Senior Grants ManagerSALARY: $91,000 - $116,000FLSA: ExemptDEPARTMENT: DevelopmentLOCATION: Washington, DC REPORTS TO: Director, Foundation and Corporate RelationsNUMBER OF DIRECT/INDIRECT REPORTS: 0LAST REVISED: February 2025 POSITION SUMMARYThe Senior Grants Manager plays a key role in expanding Defenders’ institutional fundraising program. The Senior Manager is responsible for managing and growing a portfolio of federal and state government donors and prospects, as well as some foundation donors; developing and implementing fundraising strategies; writing and editing grant proposals, reports, and other written communications to funders and overseeing the review of new government and foundation grant opportunities. The Senior Manager also plays a lead role in the Development Department to ensure compliance with federal grant regulations and educates program staff about compliance requirements. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESGrant Proposals and Reports

Work with Defenders’ program and senior staff and Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations to develop compelling proposals, preproposals, budgets and reports describing a variety of conservation initiatives for federal and state government agencies and some foundations.
Edit government and foundation grant proposals, preproposals and reports in collaboration with program staff. Coordinate submission of proposals, reports and letters of inquiry. Draft such materials when needed.
Work with program and Finance staff to prepare financial information, including grant budgets, invoices and financial reports for foundation and government donors and prospects.
Participate in select program planning sessions.

Grants Management

Monitor and communicate government and foundation proposal and reporting deadlines to Program and Finance departments to ensure submission deadlines are met.
Work with Vice President of Development, Development Operations Associate, Finance and Program departments to communicate and monitor grant allocations and expenditures.
Work with Finance and Program staff to monitor grant spending to ensure that grants are being spent appropriately and in a timely manner.
Lead Development staff member responsible for ensuring compliance with all federal grant related regulations.
Educate and advise program staff about federal grant compliance requirements.

Fundraising Strategies and Prospect Research

Work closely with the Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations, program and senior staff, and other development staff to identify funding needs and develop strategies for the cultivation of federal and state agencies as well as foundations.
Develop and implement fundraising strategies for a portfolio of foundation and government donors and prospects, with lead responsibility for proposals to federal and state government agencies.
Identify prospects for specific programs and conduct high-level research and analysis of government funding trends as part of fundraising strategy development.
Ensure that funding proposals reflect Defenders’ current program goals and strategic plan.

Operations/Administrative:

Enter foundation and government donor interactions in database for portfolio contacts.
Prepare briefing materials for visits and calls with portfolio contacts.
Work with Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations and other staff on annual budget and periodic revenue reporting.
Work with the Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations and the Finance and program departments to determine and communicate the allocation of restricted foundation and government grants.
Maintain organizational registration with federal SAM system and other government online grant portals as needed.