Development Manager

Children Now is a nonpartisan whole-child research, policy development and advocacy organization dedicated to promoting children's health, education, and well-being in California. Children Now also leads The Children’s Movement of California, a unique network of more than 4,500 parent, youth, business, labor, civil rights, faith, and community-based organizations, as well as thousands of individuals, working together to make children a top priority in public policy. Learn more at http://www.childrennow.org including about Children Now’s core organizational values.   

About the Role 

We are seeking a highly motivated Development Manager to support Children Now’s development and fundraising efforts. This position will be primarily responsible for managing the development and completion of a high volume of written development projects, such as grant proposals and reports for foundation funders. This requires ensuring thorough completion of all steps in the proposal and report development process, compiling, and editing existing content, and writing new content as needed. This position will be a central part of the development team and will work closely with policy teams and others to ensure detailed grant reporting according to foundation requirements and skillful proposal development from inception to final submission. The Development Manager will also play a crucial role in the creation of foundation communications and writing other development materials as needed, including email communications, case statements, annual appeal letters, and other messaging materials aimed at cultivating individual and corporate donor support. This role will also contribute to the development and editing of factsheets, research materials, policy briefs, blog posts, and other communications materials across a range of children’s policy issue areas. This full-time position is based in our Oakland office, with the opportunity for a hybrid work environment, and reports to the Director, Development and Communications. 
 
Ideal Candidates 

Ideal applicants have excellent project management skills, and outstanding written and oral communication skills, including the ability to translate large amounts of complex policy information into clear and compelling written narratives. The ideal applicant is also highly motivated, resourceful, flexible, and solution-oriented, someone who can organize a collaborative process, invite input, incorporate feedback, and complete high volumes of work according to deadlines and organizational priorities. The Development Manager should be a team player, have a positive attitude and thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative work environment with multiple internal and external deadlines. This position is ideal for an experienced grant writer and project manager who has a deep commitment to racial equity, and a firm belief in Children Now’s mission to improve the health, education, and well-being of all children in California.   

 
Primary Responsibilities 

• Under the primary supervision of the Director, Development and Communications and with strategic direction from the President, policy and research staff, compile and edit foundation grant proposals and reports as part of a collaborative process that includes a number of contributors and reviewers and that effectively conveys the organization’s accomplishments, mission, strategy, and commitment to racial equity;  

• Project manage the proposal and report development process, including managing proposal and report templates and attachments, preparing and providing background materials in advance of meetings, coordinating with staff on financial-related attachments, proposal budgets and financial reports, and submitting proposals and reports; 
• Develop and write other written materials including email communications to funders, annual appeal letters, case statements and policy, research and communications materials as needed; 
• Provide ongoing writing support to policy teams by developing and editing factsheets, research materials, policy briefs, and other communications materials across a range of children’s policy issue areas with a strong emphasis on racial equity as we advance our mission, and editing and adapting policy content for a range of audiences including foundations and other funders; 
• Take detailed notes and manage follow up from development, policy, and research meetings, and track in Salesforce; 
• Assist in researching potential funders and donors and developing profiles and reports for internal use; 

• Coordinate and help to develop external meeting and presentation materials including PowerPoint presentations and Children Now collateral; 
• Support the development of proposal budgets;  
• Help with development event planning, logistics, and promotion, as needed; and 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

 
Qualifications 

• A minimum of three to five years grant writing, policy-related journalism or other relevant writing experience; 
• Prior exposure to grants timelines and the development/fundraising landscape; 
• Demonstrated exceptional written communication skills and excellent research, analysis and editing capabilities;  
• General knowledge of and/or an interest in learning about child-serving health, education and other systems, which are the focus of our advocacy, as well as an understanding of the institutional racism and other systemic barriers that adversely impact children’s well-being in California; 
• Excellent fast-paced project management skills with highly organized processes, efficient communication abilities, exceptional detail orientation and ability to work efficiently under shifting internal and external deadlines; 
• Ability to learn quickly with judgment and discretion, and knowing when to seek consultation from others in the department; 
• Strong work ethic and highly flexible with a willingness to take on a range of writing assignments, juggle multiple projects, and support the work of multiple teams; 
• Skilled at working collaboratively and understanding and incorporating feedback and written input from supervisor and others; 
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to manage effective working relationships with colleagues, funders and others; 
• Ability to work effectively with others in a vibrant, diverse, and multicultural environment; 
• Highly skilled in using technology platforms and systems, including expertise in Microsoft Outlook, advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, and working knowledge of Salesforce or other CRM systems; familiarity with AirTable a plus;  
• A commitment to our mission to advance the well-being of children and to address racial, economic, gender and other inequities that limit children’s opportunities to reach their full potential; and 
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in journalism, public policy or related field a plus. 
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Compensation: Salary range is competitive and commensurate with experience. Generous benefits. 

To Apply:  

Please complete the online application form. All applicants must attach the following as part of their online application: 1) cover letter, 2) resume, 3) two-to-three-page writing sample, and 4) three to five references (including former supervisors). Please submit attachments in PDF or Microsoft Word format only.  

We do not accept phone inquiries regarding the position; please do not call. Position open until filled.   

Children Now COVID-19 Vaccination Policy 
The health and safety of our employees is our number one priority. Thus, Children Now has implemented a COVID-19 vaccination policy covering all employees. To be compliant with this policy, all new staff members shall be required to provide proof of their vaccine status at the start of their employment, unless a reasonable accommodation is requested and approved. 

 
Children Now is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to staff diversity, equity, and inclusion. Children Now values diversity as an asset essential to accomplishing our work and views diversity as including differences in race, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, veteran status, job skills, education, and geographic location and any other category protected by law. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply.