Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) · 2 months ago
Director of Institutional Engagement
Palo Alto, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$145K/yr - $175K/yr
10+ years expPeninsula Open Space Trust (POST) is seeking a strategic, experienced, relationship-driven Director of Institutional Engagement to lead development efforts with large philanthropic foundations and government agencies. The role involves creating funding strategies, overseeing legislative activities, and managing communications with funders and policymakers.
CommunitiesHealth CareNon Profit
Responsibilities
Create multifaceted, multiyear funding strategies and annual goals for institutional fundraising that align with POST’s mission, program, and strategic plan objectives
Work closely with programmatic staff to understand program priorities and projected funding needs and to identify potential institutional funding sources for POST and its partners
Keep abreast of changes that may impact funder priorities, including new sources of public or private funding, policy changes, and trends in grantmaking
Develop and lead the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for institutional donors capable of making six-figure grants, especially California state natural resource agencies and major private foundations
Direct and implement POST’s state and federal legislative activities, overseeing strategy planning, priority setting, and coordination with the President, Institutional Engagement Officer, and senior staff on high-profile bills, investments in political campaigns and other legislative matters to ensure influence on public funding sources and agencies
Advance POST’s policy goals and maintain expertise on major issues through networking, thought leadership, and by representing the organization externally, including in legislative proceedings
Direct ballot measure strategy, language, and materials and oversee campaign execution in coordination with consultants, the Institutional Engagement Officer, the President, and internal teams
Serve as a resource on public policy and funding procedures, regulations, and best practices, including IRS and California Fair Political Practices Commission regulations
Track upcoming legislative issues to inform internal planning and maximize organizational effectiveness
Stay informed about POST projects and goals to identify funding and policy opportunities, and to communicate effectively with funders and policymakers
Collaborate with partners to develop and implement funding strategies for joint projects and manage cross-departmental and partner coordination to ensure high-quality communications with funders
Broaden and strengthen POST’s relationships with institutional funders, including government agencies and foundation leadership and staff with grant-making responsibilities
Ensure funders are aware of POST’s priorities, anticipated needs, and alignment with funder objectives
Cultivate relationships with local, state, and federal legislators and their staff
Communicate the organization’s position on legislative and policy matters internally and externally. Review public comment letters and other policy communications on behalf of POST
Collaborate with external partners and constituents to gather input, build community buy-in, and position ballot measures for successful passage
Work closely with programmatic staff to understand funding needs and identify potential funding sources
Manage proposal development processes and oversee staff grant writing, ensuring that proposals present competitive projects
Ensure appropriate internal review of grant agreements and ensure administrative compliance
Oversee grant compliance and reporting, ensuring that grant requirements are fulfilled and reports foster long-term partnerships
Build a collaborative, effective, and self-reliant Department
Manage and support the Institutional Engagement Officer and Senior Manager of Institutional Grants, providing coaching, performance management, and professional development opportunities
Oversee the Institutional Engagement Officer and Grants Accountant to ensure accurate accounting of grants in POST’s financial, land, and donor databases, and timely, professional communications with funders
Define monthly and annual deliverables for staff and consulting grant writers and political consultants, and oversee progress toward outcomes
Manage POST’s legislative consultants in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., to track and respond to relevant legislative actions, develop new sources of funding, and align funding program implementation with POST’s goals
Develop and manage POST’s external affairs budget
Qualification
Required
Ten years of experience in increasingly responsible positions, including five to seven years of experience preparing and managing institutional grant proposals and reports
College degree or a combination of work and life experience that provides a comparable level of skill and competence for the role
Expertise in natural and working lands conservation policy and funding
Able to work effectively across departments and with senior leadership
Professional demeanor and good judgment
Strong problem-solving skills, comfortable with pivoting and adapting, and able to balance multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
In collaboration with the Vice President of Development and the Vice President of Land Transactions, create multifaceted, multiyear funding strategies and annual goals for institutional fundraising that align with POST's mission, program, and strategic plan objectives
Work closely with programmatic staff to understand program priorities and projected funding needs and to identify potential institutional funding sources for POST and its partners
Keep abreast of changes that may impact funder priorities, including new sources of public or private funding, policy changes, and trends in grantmaking
Develop and lead the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for institutional donors capable of making six-figure grants, especially California state natural resource agencies and major private foundations
Direct and implement POST's state and federal legislative activities, overseeing strategy planning, priority setting, and coordination with the President, Institutional Engagement Officer, and senior staff on high-profile bills, investments in political campaigns and other legislative matters to ensure influence on public funding sources and agencies
Advance POST's policy goals and maintain expertise on major issues through networking, thought leadership, and by representing the organization externally, including in legislative proceedings
Direct ballot measure strategy, language, and materials and oversee campaign execution in coordination with consultants, the Institutional Engagement Officer, the President, and internal teams
Serve as a resource on public policy and funding procedures, regulations, and best practices, including IRS and California Fair Political Practices Commission regulations
Track upcoming legislative issues to inform internal planning and maximize organizational effectiveness
Stay informed about POST projects and goals to identify funding and policy opportunities, and to communicate effectively with funders and policymakers
Collaborate with partners to develop and implement funding strategies for joint projects and manage cross-departmental and partner coordination to ensure high-quality communications with funders
Broaden and strengthen POST's relationships with institutional funders, including government agencies and foundation leadership and staff with grant-making responsibilities
Ensure funders are aware of POST's priorities, anticipated needs, and alignment with funder objectives
Cultivate relationships with local, state, and federal legislators and their staff
Communicate the organization's position on legislative and policy matters internally and externally
Review public comment letters and other policy communications on behalf of POST
Collaborate with external partners and constituents to gather input, build community buy-in, and position ballot measures for successful passage
Work closely with programmatic staff to understand funding needs and identify potential funding sources
Manage proposal development processes and oversee staff grant writing, ensuring that proposals present competitive projects
Ensure appropriate internal review of grant agreements and ensure administrative compliance
Oversee grant compliance and reporting, ensuring that grant requirements are fulfilled and reports foster long-term partnerships
Build a collaborative, effective, and self-reliant Department
Manage and support the Institutional Engagement Officer and Senior Manager of Institutional Grants, providing coaching, performance management, and professional development opportunities
Oversee the Institutional Engagement Officer and Grants Accountant to ensure accurate accounting of grants in POST's financial, land, and donor databases, and timely, professional communications with funders
Define monthly and annual deliverables for staff and consulting grant writers and political consultants, and oversee progress toward outcomes
Manage POST's legislative consultants in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., to track and respond to relevant legislative actions, develop new sources of funding, and align funding program implementation with POST's goals
Develop and manage POST's external affairs budget
Benefits
Full premium for basic medical, dental and vision coverage and a portion of upgraded or dependent plans, plus life and long term disability coverage
Flex Spending Accounts and a 401(k) plan with employer contribution and match after one year of service
Paid vacation and sick leave, paid maternity/paternity and family medical leave after one year of employment, paid holiday and flex days
Caltrain GoPasses, flexible schedules, physical and mental wellness benefits, and commuter reimbursement programs and a dog-friendly office
Company
Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST)
Our Mission: POST protects open space on the Peninsula and in the South Bay for the benefit of all.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Marti Tedesco
Chief Marketing Officer
Recent News
2025-04-22
The Mercury News
2025-01-29
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