Principal, Philanthropic and Public Funding

Job description: The Principal, Philanthropic and Public Funding position will play an instrumental role in developing and executing fundraising strategies with philanthropic organizations and public agencies. This individual will work as a key member of a cross functional team accountable for a new strategic endeavor by I-CAR. This initiative will address the critical shortage of technicians in the collision repair inter-industry and help to ensure the safety and well-being of over 30 million drivers on the road.

The individual who is hired has an exciting opportunity to not only lead fundraising efforts with philanthropy and public agencies but shape the strategies that will enable successful partnership acquisition and broad understanding of our value proposition across these sectors. We are seeking an individual with strong verbal and analytical skills who can both develop a convincing case for our new strategic endeavor through written grant proposals and effectively communicate alignment during meetings with program officers and board members. This work’s unique position within a 501(c)(6) will enable the right professional to gain experience within industry while driving a mission with the potential for significant social impact. Most importantly, a strong applicant will want to grow both this role and its work streams from the ground floor with support from both team members and a supervising director. There is significant room and tolerance within this role for innovation, trial and error, ongoing revision, and refinement, and “figuring it out” through self-directed learning.

Primary Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Write grant narratives that include analysis of research, data, and current issues as related to our value proposition for philanthropic and state and federal funding opportunities
• Commit to becoming conversant in the economic, technological, public policy, and social issues related to our mission and new strategic endeavor
• Create slide decks and pitch materials for meetings with potential and existing funding partners
• Write reports and project manage the collection and analysis of measurable impact data
• Manage a portfolio of at least 75 philanthropic and public funding opportunities annually
• Actively work to initiate new relationships with prospective funding partners through a variety of communication methods including phone calls, Microsoft Teams meetings, emails, and in-person events and meetings
• Maintain an engagement and opportunity calendar to ensure no missed deadlines or key dates
• Lead both in-person and virtual pitch meetings with prospective funding partners
• Lead ongoing stewardship activities with prospects and partners
• Collaborate with both members of the Product team and key project members of other teams to ensure that funding opportunities align with the current needs and ambitions of the new strategic endeavor
• Contribute to the overall fundraising plan for the new strategic endeavor including partner alignment, value proposition, measurable impact, and requests
• Support, as needed, the fundraising efforts of I-CAR's 501(c)(3) partner, CREF, including joint development opportunities
• Manage funding opportunities, donor contacts, and pipeline progression with Salesforce

Requirements

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in humanities, business, public policy, or similar field required. Graduate degree in business, law or public policy program and other relevant studies in the humanities and social sciences preferred.
• At least five years of relevant work experience
• Some consulting experience preferred
• Must have considerable experience with academic writing, research, and citation methods with the ability to flexibly use major style guides including Chicago, MLA, and AP
• Must be self-directed; desire to independently design and execute projects with a high tolerance for ambiguity, trial and error, and revision; and actively contribute as part of a new team that will collaboratively establish processes, practices, and strategies to achieve our goals.
• Although this is not a sales position, this role requires a willingness to contact potential funding partners by phone, email, or at in-person events. Both relationship building and the ability to communicate alignment between our value proposition and the funder's interest are necessary skills to succeed in this role.
• This is a full-time remote role but may require some travel that should not exceed once per quarter.

We offer: Highly competitive compensation package which includes Medical, Dental, and Life, 401k Match, performance bonus, generous paid time off, and voluntary benefits.

EEO Statement: I-CAR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state or local law, where applicable. Those with criminal histories will be considered in a manner consistent with applicable state and local laws.