Manager, Government Relations and Grants

We offer thousands of free programs every day for people from all walks of life—immigrants learning a new language, aspiring entrepreneurs launching their dreams, children discovering the world, people of all ages exploring arts and culture. And we give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy one of life’s greatest satisfactions: the discovery of a good book.

Now’s your chance to join the best team in Brooklyn!

Brooklyn Public Library seeks a creative and meticulous Manager of Government Relations and Grants with excellent communication skills. This new position will support crucial government relations efforts, as well as track and organize the public sector discretionary grant program. The successful candidate will have strong relationship building, writing, and communication skills, and experience with both city and state-level budget processes.

The Government and Community Relations Department is responsible for; ensuring adequate operational and capital funding for Brooklyn Public Library from government sources, managing relationships with elected officials, community leaders, community groups and library advocates, and ensuring that our supporters and partners in government understand the critical role BPL plays in the lives of Brooklynites of all ages.

Reporting to the Vice President of Government Relations, this position supports the department’s government relations priorities. Work functions include: budget advocacy support (preparation for public hearings and legislative visits) and coordination of discretionary government funding process (working in close coordination with internal departments and branch staff, from pre-award applications to post-award tracking and reporting, at all levels of government). The position requires a significant amount of writing, including drafting government and community-related materials, letters to elected officials, newsletters, emails, policy memos, and library testimony for public hearings.

This is a full-time, non-union, exempt position. The salary range for this position is $90,000 - $97,000.

Responsibilities

Government Relations

• Support the strategic direction of the department

• Research and drafting of testimony and supporting documents on behalf of BPL’s leadership and participation in public hearings

• Research and support of library policy issues, drafting memoranda of support or opposition, participation in various library policy committees

• Support and material preparation for legislative visits

• Play a key role in crafting messages to elected officials, through direct communications, newsletters, policy agendas, social posts

• Assist with community engagement priorities when needed, including meetings, scheduling, special events and engagement sessions as needed

• Assist with other Government and Community Relations Department priorities and activities, as assigned

Grants

• Develop and implement government grant memo system and establish team best practices for discretionary grant tracking, in coordination with capital finance team for capital funds, neighborhood services for expense funds

• Coordinate with BPL’s capital planning, finance and public service teams to identify and document needs for future government grants

• In consultation with appropriate departments, help guide funding requests, to ensure their timely completion

• Track expense and capital discretionary grant applications and awards from elected officials across all levels of government (SAM/CREST, Bullet Aid, CCAP, City Capital, City Discretionary)

• Ensure awarded funds are spent according to grant timeline and regulations through regular follow-up with BPL departments

Qualifications

• BA Degree

• 3-5 years of experience in either, legislative affairs, government relations, grants administration, non-profits, finance

• Knowledge of the NYC and NYS budget process and elected officials

• Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and stakeholders

• High degree of initiative, organization, and follow-through

• Responsible self-starter and able to work independently

• Excellent written communication and interpersonal skills

• Proven ability to exercise excellent independent judgment

• Microsoft Office, Slack, Airtable, databases and project management applications

We seek professionals dedicated to providing excellent customer service, developing fruitful partnerships in the community, and implementing programs aligned with our mission and vision. You will be immersed in a motivating and challenging environment where innovation is key to the organization. If you are looking to be a part of a stimulating workplace that is highly regarded by its culturally diverse community, BPL is the place to be.

Brooklyn Public Library is an equal opportunity employer.