The Field Museum is a not-for-profit museum located on Chicago’s Museum Campus. In the Field's 125+ year history, which started in 1893 at the World’s Columbian Exposition in the “White City,” we have engaged in research on all seven continents, cultivated a collection of over 40 million specimens and objects, engaged with hundreds of thousands of students from Chicago and the surrounding areas, and welcomed millions of visitors to the Museum each year. We accomplish this through the efforts of our dynamic and diverse staff of not only scientists and educators, but also front line staff in Visitor Services and Membership, Protection Services, Facility Planning and Operations, as well as behind the scenes support staff.
The Field Museum is searching for a Manager of Government Affairs and Sponsored Programs to join our team!
The Government Affairs and Sponsored Programs Manager (“Manager”) reports to the Director of Government Affairs and Sponsored Programs (“Director”). With the Director, the Manager manages relationships with elected and appointed government officials (primarily at the state and local levels), the consular corps, non-governmental organizations, and other interested institutional partners. The Director and Manager also partner with the Museum’s federal lobbyist on legislative issues concerning the Museum. The Director and Manager work with scientists and other Museum staff on grant preparation and submissions to local, state, and federal government agencies. The Manager works with the Director, Finance staff, and project directors on grant budgeting and project setup. This position also oversees recognition for government agencies in Museum reports. The Manager also helps coordinate and manage events with government and community partners, as needed.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Responsible for a variety of writing projects related to government relations, including proposals, budget justifications, online grant applications, letters of intent, various reports, talking points and presentations, and other written materials
- Assist in the full range of activities required to prepare and submit grants to government agencies, including grant budget preparation, compiling attachments, maintaining database records and paper files, grant tracking, and reporting
- Conduct prospect research to align Museum priorities with government agencies
- Generate briefing materials for relevant staff, trustees, and committees as state and local legislative issues emerge
- Help devise advocacy strategies for proposed legislation that affects the Museum
- Coordinate and prepare meeting materials for the Board of Trustees’ Government Relations Committee and provide research on select issues pertaining to Museums in the Park
- Conduct Museum tours (behind-the-scenes, exhibitions, etc.) for government groups, including civic groups and foreign dignitaries
- Assist with the planning and implementation of stewardship activities, including site visits, meetings, events, distributing materials to funders, and mailing lists
- Working collaboratively, overseeing the usage of government agency logos and credit lines, including reviewing, tracking, and routing materials for approval internally and externally. Usage may include print and online publications, wall plaques, Donor Walls, Annual Reports, etc.
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred
- 3 years of experience required, including demonstrated experience writing, securing, and managing grants; government affairs or community engagement experience required; professional Museum or higher education experience preferred
- Strong written and verbal communication skills: ability to write clear, structured, articulate, and persuasive grant proposals and reports and other written materials
- Must be comfortable greeting public officials and foreign dignitaries and speaking publicly
- Experience preparing grant budgets is strongly preferred
- Knowledge of local, state, and federal legislative and regulatory processes preferred
- Knowledge and familiarity with research techniques, including prospect research
- Strong networking ability
- Strong organizational and detail-oriented skills
- Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and meet all deadlines
- Collaborative spirit and ability to be flexible as well as work independently
- Teamwork skills: effectively work across the Museum with a variety of personalities and work styles to articulate project goals, budgets, and timelines, as well as resolve challenges
- Required to work occasional evenings and weekends for events and tours
- Computer skills: Microsoft Office Suite and Raiser’s Edge required