Manager, Foundations Relations

PEN America, a growing nonprofit organization that stands at the intersection of literature and human rights, seeks a foundations relations manager to join a growing institutional giving program in our development department. This newly created position will be key to securing and stewarding PEN America’s portfolio of grants and awards from private foundations and government donors. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker ready to focus on developing proposals for funding, shepherding applications, and ensuring that grants being implemented are fully and effectively reported to donors. The role requires capacity in the financial side of the grants process, including preparing budgets, payment requests, and financial reporting. This is a full-time position based at PEN America’s New York City headquarters, where colleagues currently work in office three days a week and have the option of remote work the other two days, health conditions permitting.

This position is part of a 10-member team of fundraising professionals committed to advancing the PEN America mission. It offers the opportunity to engage with major institutional funders, family foundations, and government donors on the city, state and federal levels and gain significant experience in fundraising for an ambitious, successful nonprofit organization. The incumbent will engage across the range of PEN America’s work, including on issues of human rights and social justice as well as the literary arts and culture. The position reports to the director of foundations and grants, and works closely with the foundations relations assistant.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• In collaboration with the director of foundations and grants, support and advance all aspects of PEN America’s grants portfolio
• Partner with the finance department and relevant program teams to develop proposal budgets and ensure timely, complete financial reporting to donors
• Serve as the focal point for the administrative elements of all federal, state, and local government grants, including preparation of proposals and compliance with contractual reporting obligations
• Track payments of grants and awards, including execution of payment requests
• Ensure integrity of grants data in PEN America’s Raiser’s Edge database and measure progress, maintain calendars, and provide reports based on that data
• Contribute to prospecting for grant opportunities and stewardship of institutional donors
• Provide mentorship to the foundation relations assistant
• Provide other assistance to the development department as needed

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of two years of foundations and grants experience at a nonprofit organization
• Experience with the administration of government grants
• Demonstrated comfort and competence with regard to budgets and financial reporting
• Highly organized and detail-oriented approach
• High energy and stamina, with the ability to multitask in a dynamic and fast-paced environment
• Familiarity with Raiser’s Edge for data management
• Interest in PEN America’s mission and experience with human rights and/or arts and culture fundraising a strong plus

Salary and Benefits: PEN America offers competitive compensation and benefits, commensurate with experience.

TO APPLY:

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and the contact information for three references. Please submit the entire application to jobs@pen.org. Please use “Foundations Relations Manager” and your name as the subject of your email (for example, “Foundations Relations Manager – Jane Doe”). Only complete applications will be reviewed, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

PEN America is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices, and in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool.

No phone calls, please.

ABOUT PEN AMERICA

PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and the contact information for three references. Please submit the entire application to jobs@pen.org. Please use “Foundations Relations Manager” and your name as the subject of your email (for example, “Foundations Relations Manager – Jane Doe”). Only complete applications will be reviewed, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.