Senior Manager of Proposal Development

The Senior Manager of Proposal Development is responsible for developing and editing persuasive, compelling, and concise communication and grant materials related to organizational fundraising. Specifically, this position will lead and project manage proposals, grants, and other written content for relationship building with corporations, foundations, community, and Trustee partners, as well as support the creation of fundraising materials including program descriptions, sponsorship proposals, agency position papers and donor communications. Some proposals and content developed by the Senior Manager of Proposal Development will collaborate with Graphic Design staff for layout, in order to put a compelling professionally-designed product forward to funders.

The Senior Manager of Proposal Development is responsible for conducting the full range of activities required to prepare, submit, and manage grant proposals to foundation and corporate sources. This includes researching, compiling, writing and editing grant applications, as well as developing templates to streamline the grant proposal process.

The Senior Manager of Proposal Development will work at various levels of the organization including senior management team, program managers and field staff to engage all appropriate employees in communicating the mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee. The position oversees a portfolio of institutional donors by renewing and increasing past gifts, identifying new prospects, developing new relationships and executing Club visits and tours that will result in investments in the Clubs.

BGCGM Culture:

• Demonstrate and communicate Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee (BGCGM) philosophy, objectives, standards and programs through all methods available to members, their parents, and the general public. Provide quality program activities that are inclusive, welcoming, respectful and responsive to the diversity of members, families and community.

Leadership:

• Develops and prepares proposals and grant applications according to funder guidelines; complies with all follow-up grant reporting as required by foundation/corporate donors.
• Manage the department’s proposal planning, grant applications and reports, and other writing efforts, including collaborating internally on development of program description and budgeting, and writing and submitting grants and proposals on behalf of the organization.
• Oversees any deliverables from the funder, which might include collaborating with event/communications staff on a check presentation, media event, or social media.

Human Resource Management:

• Manages the volunteers according to the practices and policies developed by BGCGM.

Financial Management and Development:

• Research and develop proposals to foundations, corporations and other major gift prospects, including grant requests, proposal letters, budgets and presentations with the purpose of raising philanthropic support.

Planning and Management:

• Works with internal team to identify and conduct prospect research on foundations and corporations for potential grant requests of support.
• Manages master calendar for all proposal/grant activity, to include submitted proposals and grant requests; maintains current records in database and in paper files, including grant tracking and reporting.
• Collaborates with database team on the donor gift acknowledgement process to ensure timely and appropriate recognition of all gifts from donors.

Collaboration and Partnerships:

• Interfaces with Board of Trustees members, prospects and donors in conjunction with external relationship building, proposal development and reporting.
• Acquires and maintains sound knowledge of the organization through internal relationships and otherwise, and uses that knowledge and understanding to better comprehend all projects and programs for which grants will be sought and to recommend the seeking of grants.

Administration:

• Responsible to ensure all BGCGM administrative policies and processes to include but not limited to Human Resources, Finance, Grants, Development & Marketing are adhered to at the Clubs.
• Collaborates with database team on the donor gift acknowledgement process to ensure timely and appropriate recognition of all gifts from donors.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in English, Journalism, or Communications.

Skills & Experience:

• 3 - 5 years of successful writing experience required; additional nonprofit fundraising experience strongly preferred.
• Proven proficiency of professional writing experience including successful proposals to institutional donors, grant writing experience, or other persuasive documents to audiences.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Word; experience working with donor databases; Raiser’s Edge experience preferred.
• Expert writing, communication, and listening skills with a strong appreciation for an understanding of Boys & Girls Clubs mission.
• Entrepreneurial, self-motivated professional with the understanding and knowledge of trends, giving insight into donor motivations.
• Ability to think and act independently and creatively to significantly broaden organization’s relationships with donors and have the professional skills and abilities to work with colleagues across the organization, including executive staff and Board of Trustee members, and to establish and foster relationships that encourage a collaborative team environment.
• A proven leader who supports cross-functional engagement and problem solving.
• Organizational skills, detailed-oriented and the ability to meet deadlines.
• Valid WI driver’s license, good driving record, and meet State required automobile insurance minimums.