The Director of Grant Programs is a senior leader within the nonprofit Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, responsible for shaping and driving the strategic direction of the Foundation’s philanthropic grantmaking initiatives. This position oversees the Foundation’s diverse portfolio of grant programs, including distribution of funds from its four specialty license plates. The Director leads efforts to maximize the impact of these funds, working closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment with the Foundation’s long-term goals and vision.
The Director of Grant Programs reports to the COO and may supervise support staff, interns, and volunteers.
Key Responsibilities:

Stakeholder Leadership and Collaboration: Serve as the Foundation’s primary contact for applicants and grantees, ensuring all interactions reflect the Foundation’s commitment to integrity, transparency, and mission-driven outcomes.  Represent the Foundation in interactions with grantees and facilitate communication among grantees, grant review committees, and Foundation staff.  Support grantees in refining proposals and performance metrics.  Generate grant solicitations, agreements, contracts, and amendments, and ensure timely review and processing of grantee payment requests, amendment requests, and financial reports.
Strategic Alignment: Lead the design and implementation of a comprehensive grantmaking strategy aligned with the Foundation’s 2024–2028 Strategic Business Plan. Stay abreast of best practices in grantmaking, fostering innovation and creativity in the Foundation’s philanthropic giving, building relationships and partnerships with other grant-making organizations.  Work closely with Foundation philanthropy staff to identify sources of funding for various Foundation grant-making programs.
Operational Excellence and Innovation: Oversee the day-to-day administration of the Foundation’s grant programs, continuously improving processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Provide informed guidance to advisory committees, the Foundation’s Grants Committee, and the Board of Directors on the evaluation and approval of grant proposals. Lead initiatives as needed to improve the Foundation’s grants management system, working with software vendors, applicants, and internal teams to optimize external and internal functionality.
Impact Assessment and Accountability: Help assess the effectiveness of the Foundation’s grantmaking and organizations the Foundation funds.  Conduct site visits to funded projects and oversee the assessment of grant effectiveness. Prepare periodic reports for the leadership team and Board, providing insights into grant portfolio performance and recommendations for future grantmaking strategies.  Support Foundation financial staff in their fiscal review of funded projects.  Ensure grantmaking complies with all Foundation policies and state and federal law.
Organizational Leadership: As a member of the Foundation’s leadership team, contribute to the broader strategic direction and operational management of the organization. Collaborate with peers to ensure cross-functional alignment and shared accountability for the Foundation’s success. Required Knowledge & Skills
·       A bachelor’s degree and at least three years’ experience in grantmaking, nonprofits, or a related field.  Experience in conservation, science, or grant writing a plus.
Strong analytical skills and demonstrated success leading teams and programs, with experience in strategic planning, partnership development, and stakeholder engagement preferred.
·      Exemplary interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, with the ability to work well with a wide variety of people and organizations and inspire staff members and partners toward our mission.
·      Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate and summarize often-complex scientific ideas and strategies clearly and persuasively.
·      Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to coordinate many projects simultaneously.
·      Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel; working knowledge of grant management software or other database systems a plus.
·      Good financial acumen, with the ability to understand and interpret budgets and help ensure fiscal accountability in grantmaking or philanthropic programs.
·      High standards for integrity, accountability, and quality, with the ability to inspire a shared commitment to excellence across teams.
·      A can-do attitude and a tolerant, friendly personality with a sense of humor essential!
Working Conditions & Physical Effort:
·      Work requires only minor physical exertion and/or physical strain.
·      Willingness to travel (current expectation is 20% travel), generally within Florida, though meeting with grant recipients or philanthropic partners could occasionally require out-of-state travel.