Grant Writer [San Diego Museum of Man]

The Museum of Man has undergone a radical transformation within the last five years. It is now on the cutting edge and pushes the boundaries of what it means to be a museum in the 21st-century. To further our trajectory towards becoming the best museum of anthropology in the world, SDMoM seeks a grant writer who is similarly visionary and a leader at the top of his or her craft.

The right candidate will have an adventurous spirit and know how to take the right kinds of risks.  (S)he will not only be an extraordinary writer, but also an exceptional strategic thinker who can envision creative ways to find funding and match what funders are looking for in the application process. An integral part of the team, the Grant Writer will be responsible for developing institutional funding of all types. (S)he should know how to work at a fast pace in a deadline-driven environment and will thrive knowing that (s)he is part of the team blazing a trail for what museums can be.

The Grant Writer will report to the Development Manager and will work collaboratively with individuals throughout the Museum.

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Drive the grants process, surfacing opportunities and balancing competing priorities to grow funding.
• Work collaboratively with individuals throughout the Museum to deeply understand needs and priorities.
• Develop and write all grant proposals, incorporating feedback from SDMoM staff.
• Cultivate and sustain positive, productive relationships with new and existing corporate, private, and government foundations on a local and national scale to broaden the base of grant support.
• Manage the reporting requirements associated with receiving grant funding or contracts in partnership with program and finance staff.
• Coordinate grant financial tracking systems with the Finance Department.
• Coordinate grant tracking metrics with staff from appropriate SDMoM departments.
• Together with staff from appropriate SDMoM departments, create grant reports and submit them according to deadlines.

Experience, education, or skills required:

• Education:  Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Minimum of five years of non-profit experience in grant writing, program development, and grant prospect research.
• Experience in the following areas:
  • Grant and proposal writing, including federal and local government grants
  • Development communications
  • Grant research and prospecting skills
  • Grant research tools
  • Coordination of grant submissions
  • Collaborative coordination and facilitation
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including the ability to write for both the traditional grant audience and for more non-traditional granters.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent strategic vision.
• Self-starter who can work independently with little direction.
• Excellent organization skills with ability to manage multiple processes and projects.
• Skilled at gathering input from and incorporating viewpoints of multiple stakeholders.
• Collaborative team player.
• Strong interpersonal, presentation, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to adapt to changing environments.
• Ability to conceptualize and develop strategies.
• Quantitative and qualitative research skills.
• Knowledge of key funders nationally and locally.
• Ability to organize, interpret, and communicate data.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Knowledge of community, the arts and non-profit environment preferred.

To apply:

Please email your cover letter, resume, salary history, and 2 writing samples to James Haddan, Development Manager, atjhaddan@museumofman.org.  No phone calls, walk-ins, or recruiters, please.