Job Description
This is a rewarding and challenging professional opportunity to join the #1 attraction in Cincinnati, a Top Workplace, and one of the top five zoos as ranked in the national Zagat Survey. You will apply your experience, expertise and personal passion to secure significant grant funding for the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden as the Zoo’s Grants Manager.
POSITION SUMMARY:
You will have significant impact in helping the Zoo maintain its standing in Cincinnati and the world as an exciting visitor destination, and a leader in education, sustainability, and plant and animal protection and conservation. The work we do is important, and we value those who do it! As Grants Manager, you will serve an integral role in the Development Department, reporting to the Vice President of Development and working closely with executive and program staff to bring crucial grant funding to the Zoo.
If you are an experienced grant writer/manager, you already know the fundamentals of this work:
- Researching and identifying government, corporate, foundation, and private funding prospects.
- Generating letters of inquiry (LOIs), proposals and supporting documents in response to solicitations.
- Developing, maintaining and implementing a calendar for LOIs, applications and stewardship.
- Writing and/or coordinating the writing of reports to government, corporate, foundation and other funders.
- Along with the VP for Development, engaging with program officers at foundations, corporations, and other organizations to solicit invitations to submit proposals.
One of the special aspects of this opportunity is that you will have the chance to shape and define your role within the Development Department. You may know that the Zoo has recently launched a seven-year $150 million capital campaign, More Home to Roam, in honor of the Zoo’s 150th anniversary in 2025. This campaign alone will require a sustained and strategic capital grant effort over the next seven years. And then there are the ongoing, impactful programs and services that the Zoo offers year in and year out, which also need grant support.
For the past ten years, the Zoo has employed a very experienced grant writer part-time as Grants Manager. She has announced her intention to retire in the early spring of 2019, giving us the opportunity to bring a great new person on board for the position. Because of the campaign, though, this new position will be full time, with expanded responsibilities and opportunities to help shape the Zoo’s grants program for the future. We look forward to hearing what talent, passion, and expertise you can bring to our Development team!
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor’s Degree required
- Minimum of 5 years of successful grant writing, marketing and/or communications experience
Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Ability to understand the needs, interests and perspectives of Zoo leadership and program staff in order to develop effective proposals that successfully match the needs of the Zoo to the interests of foundation, corporate and other donors.
- Team player with strong interpersonal skills and invested in the success and effectiveness of the Development team as a whole in bringing critical grant funding to the Zoo.
- Mastery of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and facility with grant research tools and databases (the Zoo currently uses the online Foundation Directory) and donor databases (the Zoo uses Raisers Edge).
Creative and strategic thinker with excellent written and verbal communication skills. - Equivalent combinations of training and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of the position will be considered.
Successful candidates will embrace and continuously demonstrate the Core Values of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden which include, but are not limited to:
- Building Collaborative Relationshipsthrough open communication and active listening
- Positivity and Energy through positive attitudes and making time to celebrate successes
- Accountability, Mutual Trust and Respectthrough taking ownership of issues, learning from mistakes, treating others with respect, and doing what you say you’re going to do
- Progressive Thinkingthrough being a self-directed learner, and learning from others, thinking creatively and demonstrating relentless pursuit for improvement
- Pride, Passion & a Sense of Ownershipthrough respect and care for the living collection, going the extra mile, always being an advocate for the Zoo.
Working Conditions: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a post-offer, pre-employment drug & nicotine screen & background check. While performing the duties of the job, the incumbent is regularly required to stand, walk, and utilize manual dexterity to use computer mouse and keyboard.
As a Development team member participating in events, the incumbent may be exposed to outside weather conditions. This job may require walking throughout the day, occasionally on steep terrain; Ability to work a flexible schedule (including early mornings, evenings & weekends, when needed to support department activities) is required.
Zoo Benefits: This position is full-time, salary-exempt, and eligible for the Zoo’s benefit programs for non-union employees at the first of the month following date of hire. The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden offers a comprehensive benefits package including affordable medical, dental & vision coverage; 401(k) plan with company match; flexible spending accounts; generous paid time off (vacation, holiday and sick leave); company-paid disability & life insurance; park discounts and free passes.
To apply for this position: Qualified applicants must apply via our online application on our website at http://cincinnatizoo.org/about-us/job-opportunities/. Cover letter and resume should be included in your online application.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received, with the intent of filling the position with the best candidate.
Founded in 1873 and opened to the public in 1875, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is the second oldest Zoo in the United States. Rated by peer zoological parks as one of the best zoos in the nation, the Cincinnati Zoo continues to set the standard for conservation, education and preservation of wild animals and wild spaces. Over 1.8 million people visit the Zoo annually. The Zoo features more than 500 animal and 3,000 plant species, making it one of the largest Zoo collections in the country.
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is consistently rated the #1 attraction in Cincinnati and one of the top five zoos in the nation by Zagat Survey. It has also been recognized by Child Magazine as one of “The 10 Best Zoos for Kids.” The Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), and is internationally known for its success in the protection and propagation of endangered animals and plants, and engages in research and conservation projects worldwide.
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is an equal opportunity employer and does not and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or other protected status.