Grants and Government Relations Officer

The Heinz History Center, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and the largest history museum in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is currently seeking a full-time Grants and Government Relations Officer to successfully match government and foundation fundraising needs of the Heinz History Center and our branch museums (Meadowcroft Rockshelter & Historic Village, Western PA Sports Museum, Detre Library & Archives and Fort Pitt Museum) by researching foundation and government funding opportunities; writing and coordinating specific proposals that match the History Center’s organizational needs with funder priorities; following up to secure funding; and reporting to funders on the progress of the History Center’s initiatives they have supported. 

This is a full-time position reporting to the Vice President. 

The primary responsibilities of the Grants and Government Relations Officer include:

• Research, analyze and solicit foundation and government agency funding opportunities.
• Review the History Center’s strategic plan and project priorities and align fundraising goals to plan.
• Work with the Vice President, Advancement Director, Corporate Relations Director and all departments to enumerate and verify the prioritized needs of the organization with respect to the strategic plan and projects seeking funding.
• Participate in brainstorming sessions to decide on priorities.
• Identify potential funders.
• Assist in research and lead the efforts to write drafts of proposals and reports to foundations and government entities.
• Explore published information, electronic databases, and other research tools to determine potential funder's priorities for funding and investment.
• Follow-up with funders to refine the nature of the ultimate request.
• Track and write proposals and reports for new and renewing foundations.
• Maintain and update department files and databases on foundations and government agency funders.
• Develop and accurate, updated database of foundations and government entities.

Requirements

• The successful candidate must have the following credentials:
• Bachelor’s Degree and 5-8 years of related experience.
• A proven ability to take direction, but to also work with minimal direct supervision and manage multiple projects, while being a committed team player.
• The ability to read and understand organizational budgets.
• Must be a self-starter and be proactive in anticipation of team needs and have the ability to creatively solve problems.
• Superior written and oral communication skills; excellent analytical, critical thinking, and organizational skills with precise attention to detail.
• A high degree of competency in the MS Office suite, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, and Word, and the ability to learn new applications quickly.
• Ability to work independently (especially during hybrid office hours).
• The work is detail-oriented and requires flexibility, positivity, effective time-management, precision, patience, efficiency, and integrity.
• Must include writing sample with cover letter.