Assistant Director, Institutional Giving and Sponsored Projects

The Assistant Director is an integral part of the Alumni Affairs and Development department and works collaboratively with all department members to ensure the fiscal health and growth of The Cooper Union, including the realization of Cooper Union’s ongoing Plan to Return to Full-Tuition Scholarships. Reporting to the Senior Director, Institutional Giving and Sponsored Projects, and serving as part of a three-person sub-department, the Assistant Director facilitates the acquisition of grant funds from external, public, and private agencies to support Cooper Union’s strategic priorities and advance ongoing and new initiatives. The position is responsible for coordinating the Institution’s internal process for development and submission of grant proposals and reports, including pre-award (planning, organization, preparation, budget review, submission) and post-award (administration of assigned grants, budget monitoring, collection of report data, faculty/staff communications, drafting/editing narrative and financial reports). The Assistant Director brings a strategic lens to identifying prospective funders for the Institution’s many and varied priorities and will partner with the Senior Director to steward and engage foundation, corporate, and government agency leadership and program officers throughout the lifecycle of a grant.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• • Manage and oversee grant development for the Institution.
  • Develop and write grant proposals, reports, and correspondence, including emails and event invitations.
  • Facilitate proactive and timely proposal and report preparation and submission.
  • Research, compile, and analyze information and data necessary for grant proposals and reports.
  • As assigned, draft and/or edit initial versions of project timelines, staff profiles, budgets, and other required materials.
  • Verify accuracy, proofread, and finalize documents for submission.
  • Coordinate organizational meetings with faculty/staff to discuss funder guidelines and program goals, project details, and required data for proposals and reports.
  • Conduct prospect research to identify grant opportunities and potential funding sources in support of the Institution, utilizing such tools as Slate database searches, published RFPs, federal and state grant guidelines, legislative agendas, grant publications and other resources.
  • Prepare written briefs on donors, prospect profiles and other memos for senior leadership including and up to the President’s Office.
  • Prepare grant award memos for faculty and staff to share grant requirements to ensure that grant funds are maximized and spent in accordance with funder requirements.
  • Work closely with the Business Office to ensure budget guidelines and expenditure tracking mechanisms are in place for grant administration.
  • Maintain necessary records, files, reports, databases, and resource materials pertinent to grant activities.
  • Steward donors and cultivate prospects using best practices for recognition and engagement.
  • Track department awards, grant payments, pending proposals, and stewardship deadlines using primary grant calendar.
  • Use Slate database to record and track donor communications, invitations, and awards.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Senior Director of Institutional Giving and Sponsored Projects and Vice President, Alumni Affairs and Development.

SKILLS/REQUIREMENTS

• • Knowledge of grant development and administration, preferably with a focus on the New York City, higher education, and/or cultural philanthropic communities
  • Superior written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong presentation skills
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Proficiency using databases and Microsoft Excel
  • Ability to work well under pressure of deadlines
  • Some evening and weekend work will be required to meet deadlines and for staffing select Cooper Union programs and events.

EDUCATION

• • Bachelor's degree and a minimum of five years’ experience in grants management.
  • Experience in proposal development, grant research, budgeting, and government grant procurement is preferred.