Assistant Grant Manager

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND

The Maritime Aquarium’s mission is to ignite a connection to Long Island Sound and the ocean to enrich the lives of all people and inspire action to protect our blue planet. For 37 years, the Aquarium has played a significant role in shaping the landscape of Norwalk and the region. The second largest family attraction in Connecticut, and 50 miles from New York City, the Aquarium hosts nearly 450,000 guests annually. Its primary exhibits take guests on a voyage from the shallow salt marshes and estuaries to the depths of the Long Island Sound and the ocean beyond, culminating with habitats for sharks and harbor seals.

Altogether, the Aquarium is home to more than 8,000 animals and 285 species in 75 exhibits. A new 4D Theater offers a unique sensory film experience for guests. Its education programs introduce nearly 50,000 students, campers and scouts to marine and STEM education. The Aquarium is recognized as a top aquarium in the nation and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It is an active participant in the local and regional community. The strength of the Aquarium is its 85 full-time staff, and part-time and seasonal staff, in addition to our volunteers.

POSITION SUMMARY

We are seeking a full-time Assistant Grant Manager to join the Conservation department. The department conducts applied research on the species and habitats of Long Island Sound and works toward institutional goals as articulated in our Conservation Action Plan and in support more broadly of the Aquarium’s strategic plan, An Aquarium Without Walls. This position will assist the department with the management of the department’s grant portfolio, financial records, and other administrative tasks. The ideal candidate will be able to organize and analyze multiple data types, be adept at MS Excel, and be interested in joining the team out in the field on occasion for research project execution. The typical work schedule will be Monday through Friday from 9am – 5pm, but weekend, early morning, and evening work will be required occasionally with advance notice. The position is expected to be comprised of ~95% grants/data management, and ~5% field and lab research in support of the department.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supports Senior Grant Manager in all grant management and financial activities for the department
• Assist Senior Grant Manager, department leadership, and research staff with development and submission of grant applications including preparation of budgets, proposal narratives, and all supporting documents.
• Assist with management awarded grants (financial management, compliance, preparation of sub-award agreements, reporting) and maintain calendar of grant proposal and reporting deadlines
• Partner with the Advancement Team and the Finance Team on proposal submission and grant tracking and reporting
• Assist Senior Grant Manager with management of departmental budget, including reconciliation of expenses across both grant-funded and not grant-funded accounts, as well as documentation of grant-required matching funds
• Assist with scientific data entry and quality control as needed
• Support department staff on overall program implementation as needed (including participating in field and lab research when needed)

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, or related field (field of study is less important than skill set)
• Excellent computer competency, including Microsoft Office (Excel)
• Experience managing complex budgets or datasets
• Experience managing data, timelines, and deliverables
• Detail-oriented and excellent organizational skills required
• Must be comfortable occasionally working outside in all weather conditions, including on boats and in the mud
• Must be able to work collaboratively, work independently, and multi-task
• Must be able to appropriately handle confidential information
• Data analysis and statistics skills (especially in R) would be a plus
• Familiarity with a general ledger and financial reporting would also be valuable

The typical work schedule will be Monday through Friday from 9am – 5pm, but weekend, early morning, and evening work will be required for fieldwork and other department activities with advance notice.

SALARY: $24 per hour plus benefits.

START DATE: July 1, 2026 (Negotiable)

This position is based in Norwalk, CT, but a hybrid work schedule is possible.

The Maritime Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.