Grants Administration Manager

Overview

The Arts Institute of Middlesex County is seeking an experienced, dynamic, and highly organized individual to manage approximately $3 million in incoming and outgoing arts, history, and culture-related grants annually. Grantmaking is primarily supported by the County's own historic investment in arts, culture, and history, with additional support from the State of New Jersey and other competitive national sources of funding.

The ideal candidate will have an interest in arts, history, and arts administration, experience in grants management, and a commitment to equity in distributing resources. Primary responsibilities under this position include directly managing approximately $2.5 million in annual regrant programs that award funds to Middlesex County-based cultural organizations and programs, tracking approximately $150,000 in grant-funded Office programming and operating expenses, and providing administrative functions related to approximately $500,000 in other grant funded projects. Additional responsibilities include on-site visits, managing and facilitating technical assistance workshops open to the public, drafting and submitting reports to state and national funders, tracking and reviewing grantee reports, drafting and enforcing grant requirements, and aligning the grant programs with best practices in grantmaking.

The individual in this position will report to the Administration & Education Division Head and Office Director, and work closely with the Office's History Grants Coordinator, Finance Manager, and various Program Managers and Coordinators, in addition to Middlesex County's Department of Finance and County Counsel. This role requires regular communication with over 100 grantee organizations, new or interested applicants, and municipal entities, so strong communication skills are a must.

Responsibilities

In this highly collaborative environment, the individual in this position may collaborate on other programs and initiatives at the Arts Institute of Middlesex County on and off-site. Responsibilities of the position require the role to be performed primarily in our offices at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. Some remote work hours are available, and occasional local travel may be required to support specific programming and events/meetings.

Essential Responsibilities

• Directly manage approximately $2.5 million annually through seven grant program types for Middlesex County-based arts, culture, and history organizations and programs

• Continually track approximately $150,000 in grant-funded Office programming and operating expenses

• Organize and maintain grant files and documentation

• Annually review and update grant guidelines, contracts, systems, and procedures to improve efficiency, evaluation, equity, and effectiveness of grant programs

• Distribute, track, and review grantee reports

• Draft and submit reports to necessary funders

• Identify and generate new incoming or outgoing grant opportunities that benefit Middlesex County residents

• Contribute to and submit grant applications to potential funders

• Regularly meet and communicate with representatives from funding organizations, such as the New Jersey State Council on the Arts

• Communicate regularly with institutions, municipalities, and community organizations that provide arts, cultural, and history programming

• Communicate and coordinate with Office and County colleagues on grant-related matters, functions, and deliverables

• Schedule and facilitate virtual and in-person Arts Institute check-ins to ensure grantee compliance with grant requirements

• Organize and facilitate/co-facilitate grant workshops, technical assistance workshops, and grant review panels

• Attend internal, external, funder, and professional gatherings in pursuit of best practices and up-to-date information relevant to the position's scope of work

• Identify important data points to measure and respond to in order to ensure the highest quality cultural experiences for residents

• Support administrative needs related to approximately $500,000 in other grant funding

• Additional tasks as assigned to support arts staff and programs at the Arts Institute of Middlesex County

Marginal Responsibilities

• Travel to sites within Middlesex County, as needed for some programs and events

About the Arts Institute of Middlesex County

For more information on the Arts Institute, please visit:

https://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/government/departments/department-of-economic-development/the-arts-institute-of-middlesex-county

Middlesex County is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Qualifications

Skills and Qualifications

• 5+ years of grants administration experience - especially grantmaking - strongly preferred

• Bachelor's degree or higher strongly preferred, preferably in a related field

• Efficient and proactive work ethic

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail

• Excellent time and project management skills

• Excellent writing and communication skills

• Strong computer literacy

• Timely follow-through on tasks from start to finish

• Willingness to ask questions when in doubt

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office required

• Current driver's license preferred

• Knowledge of Zoom preferred

• Experience with Docusign, SurveyMonkey Apply, One Solution, and/or NJ SAGE platform a plus

• Background or experience in the arts a plus

• Knowledge of Middlesex County or Central Jersey cultural institutions a major plus