Senior Manager – Rural Democracy Policy & Program

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Develop and execute grantmaking strategies for designated priority states.

• Oversee a grantmaking portfolio focused on policy and communications, along with state-based initiatives.

• Conduct research and outreach in targeted geographies, communities, and specific issue areas.

• Establish trusting relationships with both existing and prospective grantees and partners.

• Collect reports from grantees and engage in site visits.

• Gather, assess, and organize grant proposals, reports, and relevant supporting materials.

• Prioritize and recommend grants while assisting in the preparation of grant dockets.

• Evaluate impacts and identify opportunities in collaboration with field and funding partners.

• Co-lead and manage the bi-annual Rural Policy Action Summit, which includes organizing a gathering of 50 participants.

• Project manage and contribute to the bi-annual Rural Policy Action Report.

• Act as a thought partner regarding best practices in policy.

• Provide support to the grantee network through resources, coaching, and peer-to-peer learning.

• Contribute to communications that are focused on policy issues.

• Assist the Senior Program Officer and the Strategic Partnerships team.

• Engage in data collection from grantees, conduct surveys, and summarize the political landscape.

• Monitor and refresh grantmaking data systems in collaboration with the Grants Management team.

• Advance program priorities through various means such as meetings, retreats, surveys, work plans, and project plans.

• Facilitate grantee access to resources, tools, and opportunities for capacity building.

• Identify compelling case examples and timely news for newsletters, annual reports, and policy memos.

• Transform grantee impact stories, images, quotes, and anecdotes into engaging fundraising content.

• Work part-time with the affiliated Rural Victory Fund to promote 501(c)(4) investments.

⛳️ Requirements

• Over 7 years of relevant work experience in nonprofit, advocacy, governmental, intermediary, or foundation environments, and/or equivalent qualifications.

• Knowledge of social change, civic engagement, public policy, or political strategy.

• Significant experience in promoting policy change and managing policy trade-offs within coalitions.

• Experience linking local and state priorities with federal policies.

• A proven commitment to racial justice, with fluency in equity and anti-racist practices.

• Ability to deeply listen, create space for diverse perspectives, and collaborate with individuals from various political, cultural, and social backgrounds.

• Excellent writing and verbal communication abilities.

• Strong relationship management skills with a diverse range of stakeholders.

• Capacity to work independently and lead complex projects involving cross-organizational and external collaboration.

• Experience in developing and utilizing organizational systems to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and intricate projects.

• Exceptional attention to detail.

• Proficiency in organizing and facilitating events and convenings, along with experience working with coalitions.

• Entrepreneurial and resourceful, with a proactive and creative approach to problem-solving.

• A connection to and passion for rural communities and their residents.

• Preferred experience in the philanthropic sector and grantmaking.

• Preferred experience in rural federal policy and/or with national advocacy organizations.

• Preferred understanding of the media and communications landscape.

• Preferred familiarity with the dynamics of rural and small-town America through personal, professional, or volunteer experiences.

• Preferred experience with tools like Monday.com, Google Suite, Airtable, Fluxx, and Slack.

• Preferred experience in managing programs for both 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) nonprofits.

• Must have authorization to work in the United States.

🏝️ Benefits

• 100% employer-covered health, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families.

• 401k retirement plan.

• Automatic 3% contribution to 401k and an additional up to 3% employer match on contributions.

• Pre-tax transportation benefits.

• 120 hours of annual vacation time.

• 80 hours of health leave each year.

• Up to 2 days of casual leave annually.

• 20 hours of volunteer leave each year.

• 13 paid holidays per year.

• 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave after 90 days of employment.

• Fully remote work from home within the United States.

• Occasional travel within the US.

• Opportunities for professional growth and impact.