Grants Manager

(U.S.-based | Global role with travel to Kenya)

Position Summary

The Grants Manager plays a critical role in advancing Big Life Foundation’s global fundraising strategy by growing and managing a portfolio of grant donors including but not limited to institutional government donors, private foundations, and zoo/corporate grantmakers.  

This is a new position, responsible for identifying, cultivating, and securing new funding opportunities, while stewarding existing partnerships to build long-term, strategic support for Big Life’s conservation programs across the Greater Amboseli ecosystem.

The Manager also serves as a key liaison between Big Life’s U.S.-based development team and Kenya-based program and development staff, leading the development of compelling proposals and reports, and coordinating the organization’s response to grant funding opportunities worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Pipeline Development

• Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy to grow revenue from a portfolio of grant donors including but not limited to institutional government donors, private foundations, and zoo/corporate partners.
• Build and manage a robust pipeline of prospects, with clear revenue targets, tracking systems, and performance metrics.
• Analyze results and refine strategies to optimize funding growth and long-term sustainability.

Proposal Development & Grant Management

• Lead and support the development of high-quality grant proposals, concept notes, and donor reports in collaboration with senior leadership, program teams, and finance staff.
• Manage the full grant lifecycle, from opportunity identification and submission through reporting, compliance, and renewal.
• Oversee the preparation and submission of technical and financial proposals, ensuring accuracy and alignment with donor requirements.
• Ensure compliance with all donor guidelines, deadlines, and reporting standards.

Partnership Development & External Engagement

• Represent Big Life in meetings, presentations, and communications with funders and prospective partners.
• Build visibility and deepen relationships with grant donors to expand engagement and long-term support.

Internal Collaboration & Strategic Contribution

• Contribute to internal reporting, forecasting, and strategic planning related to funding growth.
• Coordinate cross-functionally to align funding opportunities with program priorities and organizational goals.

Field Engagement

• Travel to Kenya periodically to support the development of proposals, strengthen donor alignment with field programs, and advance strategic funding opportunities.

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a focus on grants acquisition and management, including private foundations and government grants
• Familiarity with government or institutional funding processes and requirements (e.g., bi/multilateral funders)
• Demonstrated success securing and managing grants including from private foundations and institutional donors
• Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation, and research skills, including the ability to craft and edit complex proposals and donor materials
• Strong understanding of donor compliance, performance monitoring, and impact measurement across the award lifecycle
• Experience coordinating cross-functional teams (program, finance, leadership)
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple deadlines and priorities
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships across cultures and geographies
• Passion for conservation and community-based approaches to protecting wildlife strongly preferred

Location & Travel

• U.S.-based Remote, with preference given to candidates based in Maryland, Washington, DC, Washington State, Oregon, Missouri, or New York.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally, including periodic travel to Kenya

Application deadline: November 20, 2026.