Be a part of the change!
Join a team of committed, results-oriented, and successful professionals who work to support and advance United Way of Southern Maine’s (UWSM’s) mission to improve people’s lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community.
Position Title: Director, Grants
Division: Community Impact
Salary: $76,000.00
Reports to: Senior Director, Community Impact Operations
Date: October 2023
GENERAL SUMMARY:
The Grants Director leads all critical aspects of UWSM’s grant-seeking and grant-management work. This position requires a results-oriented team player with excellent project management and writing skills. Responsible for leading all aspects of grant and proposal writing for unrestricted operating revenue, restricted operating revenue, and restricted project-based revenue, for submitting timely and accurate reports for all existing and new grant-funded projects, and for completing timely grant acknowledgements. Research, evaluate, anticipate, prepare, write, submit, track, and advocate for proposals to community, state, national, and federal funding sources to achieve UWSM revenue goals. Work collaboratively with Community Impact team on implementation of grant-funded work to meet funder deliverables and deadlines, and to appropriately spend down all funds within grant periods. Provides leadership, in partnership with the Senior Director, Community Impact Operations, to develop and implement a multi-year plan for significant grant revenue growth.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Works closely with the Senior Director, Community Impact Operations to develop and execute a multi-year grant strategy to significantly increase grant revenue and meet UWSM’s strategic plan.
- Develops and manages relationships with a diversified network of funding organizations, including government agencies, to meet revenue goals.
- Builds the pipeline of ongoing and prospective funders over a multi-year period, staying apprised of developments in the field.
- Works with colleagues and engages with program officers at organizations to cultivate relationships and garner invitations to submit proposals.
- Conducts pre-grant application meetings/reviews with appropriate team members across departments to determine eligibility, focus of funding requests, all related expenses, and proposal preparation responsibilities.
- Generate revenue for UWSM through timely submission of well-researched, well-written, and well-documented grant/funding proposals according to the funder’s requirements.
- Lead the identification and solicitation process to secure six and seven figure grants.
- Provides stewardship to funders through ensuring appropriate grant acknowledgement and recognition, scheduled and frequent written updates leveraging existing resources, data, and communication tools.
- Works closely with Finance and Community Impact teams to gather relevant grant data, and understand, monitor, and communicate about UWSM’s grants program, and to develop grant budgets.
- Support Community Impact staff leading programmatic work to meet grant deliverables and deadlines.
- Develops and completes thoughtful ROI analysis for any grants submitted & received, anticipating, and addressing compliance requirements and fulfillment.
- Works hand-in-hand with members of the Community Impact and Finance teams to ensure UWSM is meeting grant deliverables and budget targets.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent and 3 – 5 years of professional experience within health and human services, community, or non-profit environments; or an Associate’s degree or foreign equivalent and at least five years of related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Proven track record of securing six-figure and up grant awards; experience securing federal grants and congressionally directed spending strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated commitment to community change work.
- Commitment to United Way of Southern Maine’s core values.
- Strong project management skills.
- Experience working with diverse stakeholders from all sectors (non-profit, government, corporate, and philanthropy).
- Volunteer management experience preferred.
- Proficiency and comfort in working with data.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and grant management and CRM software.
- Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Group facilitation experience preferred.
- Team-oriented and able to work independently.
- Flexible and able to operate in an agile and evolving environment.
- Results-oriented.
- Must possess the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities and problem-solve issues as they arise.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
None
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and various other types of office equipment.
A valid driver’s license, verifiable auto insurance, and personal vehicle use are required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:
This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. At UWSM, we are focused on creating connections within the Southern Maine community. Our current hybrid model is focused on doing just that, requiring our team members to spend at least 16 hours per week creating connections. Examples of creating connections include office time, external meetings/gatherings, training, volunteer engagement events, and even a cup of coffee with an internal/external partner.
TRAVEL:
Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-area and overnight travel may be expected.
OTHER DUTIES:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, obligations, and activities may change with or without notice.
WHY CHOOSE UNITED WAY OF SOUTHERN MAINE?
Advancing the common good is about helping one person at a time and creating community change that benefits every community member. We are all connected and interdependent; we all win when a child succeeds in school, families are financially stable, and people are healthy.
We have a staff of 40 dedicated employees to help us achieve our goals and fulfill our mission: To improve people’s lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community. To support the great work of our employees, we offer a competitive salary and a robust benefits package, including health and dental insurance, a 403 (b) plan, life insurance, generous paid vacation, holiday, and sick time off.
Additionally, United Way of Southern Maine offers:
- Convenient and central Portland and Kennebunk locations with free parking
- Tuition assistance and opportunities for professional development
- Wellness resources and Employee Assistance Program Access
- Personal and floating holidays
- Paid volunteer time off
- An excellent team of top-notch professionals that share your passion for strengthening our community.
United Way of Southern Maine is committed to seeking and sustaining a culturally and ethnically diverse environment and to the principles that promote inclusive practices. We are dedicated to building a diverse staff with expertise and interest in serving our communities and encouraging persons of all diversity types to apply.
United Way of Southern Maine has identified a set of Core Values as our essential tenets. These define and describe whom United Way of Southern Maine will endeavor to be in internal and external situations.
At United Way of Southern Maine, we are:
- Community Centered
- Results Focused
- Intentionally Collaborative
- Committed to Excellence
- Leading with Integrity
Applications are accepted through October 31st, 2023. Please submit a cover letter and resume to HR at hr@uwsme.org.
