Associate Director - Grants and Contracts

JOB TITLE:    Associate Director - Grants and Contracts   

PROGRAM:    Research and Policy

LOCATION:    Denver    

SALARY:      $ 7923 p/month

STATUS:      Full-time

ABOUT NCSL:

Are you ready to join an organization with an extraordinary mission? The National Conference of State Legislatures offers careers where you can use your skills, knowledge and experience to make a difference. NCSL’s mission is purposeful – strengthening the legislative institution. From informing effective policies and promoting communication among state legislatures, to ensuring states have a strong, cohesive voice in the federal system, our team works in service of legislatures. And, with a commitment to constantly innovating all resources and services to meet the evolving needs of members, NCSL has earned the reputation as the nation’s most trusted bipartisan membership organization for legislators and legislative staff. Our success serving NCSL members relies on our team of passionate, dedicated professionals who work diligently to strengthen the legislative institution. Join our team and contribute to this unique, essential mission.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Associate Director for Grants and Contracts is a leadership position responsible for collaborating on and supporting fundraising through grants and contracts across NCSL. The position will work closely with NCSL’s policy and other programs across more than 10 issue areas including criminal justice, education, employment, fiscal, health and human services, transportation and more. 

The position requires initiative to identify and develop new funder relationships in collaboration with NCSL’s directors who lead fundraising for their programs. This work requires strong organizational, collaborative and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to communicate NCSL’s value to its members and funding partners. 

This role will assist the vice presidents of policy and research with internal grant management and requires a strong understanding of public and private grantmaking. This position is a unique role and will contribute across the organization and work with a variety of internal and external partners. The position reports to the vice presidents of policy and research.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

Typical duties include the following:

• In coordination with the policy and other directors, assists and supports fundraising strategic plans across the conference.
• Researches grant opportunities and reaches out to policy and other directors to discuss opportunities; identifies new funders that may align with NCSL’s mission and takes steps to create relationships.
• Works with directors of policy programs and others on fundraising efforts, such as concept development, proposal writing, budget development, application submission, and funder negotiations.
• Critically reviews one’s own work and independently initiates improvements as well as reviews the work of other staff related to fundraising, such as concepts, proposals, and budgets.
• Completes grant reporting as assigned and assists the vice presidents of policy and research with reporting to the NCSL Executive Committee on grants. Creates internal development reports and tracking as needed.
• Writes skillfully with minimal need for editing; reviews, edits and provides feedback on the substance and quality of writing assignments for other staff, all while demonstrating an understanding of political context and a high degree of responsiveness to internal timelines and priorities.
• Coordinates receipt of awards and contract documentation; maintains proposal and funding records in database; and prepares scheduled and special reports, studies and analyses.
• Analyzes and evaluates contract and grant budgets.
• Maintain knowledge of grant and contract procedures, subcontracting, and budgetary guidance to assist in compliance with finance and administrative guidelines.
• Works collaboratively with the accounting grant manager.
• Travels domestically for NCSL meetings, funder meetings, and other activities as needed.
• Performs other responsibilities as needed.
•  

SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE:

Currently, this position will not supervise others but may supervise, support, and coach staff members in the future.

THE WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This position is mostly performed in an office environment, on or off-site, with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Team members utilize standard office equipment such as copy machines, laptops, printers, scanners, and smartphones. Expand your horizons with travel opportunities to network with lawmakers and staff across the country (including overnights and weekends by airplane). Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUCCESS:

• Bachelor's degree plus eight years of work experience. Work with state legislatures, government, non-profits or other relevant field is preferred
• Work experience must include four or more years of increasingly responsible leadership in public- and private-sector fundraising, such as grant writing and reporting, managing grants and contracts and maintaining funder relations.
• Exceptional writing, editing and presentation skills and the ability to communicate information clearly and credibly to a variety of audiences.
• Excellent people and relationship-building skills, ability to function as both a member and leader of the team, and the ability to develop a strong and trustworthy relationship with all internal and external teammates.
• Excellent ability to build and maintain relationships with funders, potential funders, legislators, legislative staff and national partner organizations. 
• Ability to work in a politically neutral manner and maintain confidentiality when required.
• Demonstrated excellence in project management, including organizing project work; managing deadlines; and assigning, overseeing and/or completing project tasks.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously.
• Knowledge and understanding of proposal and grant writing procedures and requirements, including the processes to submit federal applications.
• Ability to quickly develop broad, general knowledge of a topic when preparing to assist or write a concept paper or proposal.
• Advanced analytical, evaluative and objective critical thinking skills.
• Ability to make complex administrative/procedural recommendations, decisions and judgements.
• Ability to travel by air up to 6-8 times per year, with most trips being 1-3 nights, as well as to occasionally work extended hours, possibly evenings and weekends, usually associated with events/travel or grant deadlines.

YOUR BENEFITS AT A GLANCE: 

NCSL provides flexible and generous remote work options for our employees. We are committed to offering a full range of other benefits for you and your eligible family members, including domestic partners.

Our outstanding benefits include low cost health, dental and vision coverage, a 401(a)-retirement plan with 10% contribution after 6 months and full vesting, life & disability insurance, 3-weeks paid vacation with 5+ years of paid full-time work experience, generous time off plans and paid family leave, identity theft protection, employee assistance programs, pet insurance, paid time off the volunteer, and more! Relocation assistance provided for out-of-state candidates.

HOW TO JOIN OUR TEAM:

If you are a purpose-driven, dedicated professional looking to give as much as you get – submit your resume and cover letter by 11:59 PM MT, September 23, 2022.  Learn more about working with NCSL by visiting our careers page: https://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/ncsl-careers.aspx. We are looking forward to receiving your application!

NCSL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to developing a diverse, dynamic team and inclusive workplace. NCSL does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by law or regulation.