Senior Director - Foundation & Government Relations - National Geographic - Washington

Job description
This position reports to the Vice President of Development and works with National Geographic leadership and program staff across the organization. This position is responsible for managing the Foundation and Government Grants Team, driving strategic fundraising efforts that enable the team to meet established goals and objectives annually. This position is responsible for leading the Team to pursue, secure, and steward substantial grant support (annual overall seven-figure goal), from private foundations and government agencies for annual and multi-year programs and initiatives.
The incumbent manages a portfolio of foundations and actively seeks out new foundation relationships for cultivation while tracking stewardship of open grants and working to actively maintain strong internal working relationships with grant-seeking divisions of the Society. The Senior Director plays a lead role with the VP and SVP of Development in the design and implementation of strategic plans for these constituents and overall goal-setting for the department. The incumbent represents the Society at external events and functions in order to expand philanthropic potential for the institution.



Responsibilities
Reporting to the Vice President of Development and working in close coordination with the other members of the Foundation and Government Grants Team, the position has responsibility for actively seeking and managing new opportunities for foundation and government funding in order to meet an annual seven-figure goal. Major responsibilities include initiating contact with private foundations on behalf of NGS, leading on-site and off-site external meetings with foundations, and managing proposal preparation for prospects, which includes strategy, writing, editing, and the internal approvals process for major grants that support projects and programs across the Society. This work also includes staffing of leadership (SVP, Chief Communications Officer, CEO and other program executives and staff) in conjunction with the VP to facilitate their participation in meetings with institutional funders. The position coordinates goal-setting in the context of the Team's efforts ensuring they are aligned with those of the Development Department as a whole as well as the Society. (60%)
This position is responsible for the day-to-day management and oversight of the Foundation and Government Grants Team. Collaborating with the VP of Development, the Senior Director oversees the goal setting and performance of each member of the team to ensure Team, Departmental, and individual career goals are met or exceeded. The Senior Director works to ensure efficient and effective workflow for each member of the team as well as the creation of relevant opportunities for professional growth and challenge. This position ensures that work performance of each Team member, and the Team as a whole, align with the Society's mission and values. (15%)


The Senior Director oversees the proposal and budget preparation and submission process as well as the grant agreement review and term acceptance for grants process for the Team. The incumbent works with team members and appropriate Finance and Legal personnel to ensure appropriate compliance with all processes and procedures for grant submission and acceptance. Oversees efforts of the Grants Managers to ensure proper stewardship of all open grants, including interim and final reports, expenditure tracking, and site visits and special events as needed. Works closely with Grants Manager to ensure the Team's efforts are as efficient and effective as possible, adopting best practices in an effort to meet target goals and objectives. (10%)
This position leads the identification of foundation funders for media projects in the Illuminate Pillar, including the magazine, NG Studios, NG News / Digital, etc. The position also identifies new institutional funding opportunities for projects within the Inspire pillar. This includes identifying and leveraging connections between private foundations and NGS volunteer leaders and senior management, prospecting for new leads and ideas via research and internal brainstorms, and conducting background research on funders’ interests in consultation with Development research staff and the team's coordinator. This role includes inter-departmental communication on projects where multiple constituencies are being approached and coordination with other Development leads on Media projects. The position plays an active role in maintaining strong relationships with internal NGS client divisions supported by institutional funders. Works with the team to assemble and provide regular communication to senior management on potential funding possibilities and industry trends. (15%)


Minimum Education Required

Bachlor's degree required, graduate degree desirable.



Minimum Years and Type of Experience

Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in foundation relations and proposal writing, preferably in a university setting or large educational nonprofit organization of national or international stature.



Knowledge And Skills Required

Verifiable track record of securing significant grants (including six- ad seven-figure grants). Highly effective written and oral communications skills essential; Concise, persuasive, and versatile writing style for different mediums, audiences, and subject matter; Ability to work and assimilate with a small but efficient team of grants professionals, a highly proficient Development Office staff, and a varying range of departmental staff across the institution. Outstanding communications skills including the ability to present on projects of highly diverse and technical subject matter, while representing the Society effectively. Outstanding writing and editing skills a must. Excellent computer skills including MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel, Photoshop, Raiser's Edge or equivalent donor database; Detail- and deadline-oriented with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and deliver proposals on short deadlines.

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