Specialist, Partnerships & Business Development

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy•Cambridge, MA

2d•$65,000 - $75,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy seeks a Specialist to join its Partnerships and Business Development (PBD) team. The role supports the process of turning external funding proposals into accepted awards, works with teams across the Institute, reinforces data systems, and promotes fundraising activities, including prospect research and relationship management tracking. The PBD team grows the Institute’s impact through strategic external partnerships. It works with programmatic teams to identify opportunities, cultivate relationships with funders and partners, develop competitive proposals, and ensure strong stewardship and compliance. The Institute is a nonprofit private operating foundation focused on improving quality of life through effective land use, taxation, and stewardship. Its work spans land and water, land and fiscal systems, and land and communities. The role is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and is regular full-time. The posted salary range is $65,000–$75,000, depending on education and years of experience. The position requires a relevant undergraduate degree and at least four years of grants management or contract administration experience. The position offers a flexible schedule and the option of a compressed four-day workweek.

Requirements

At least 4 years of experience in grants management or contract administration.
Undergraduate degree in a relevant field.
Demonstrated experience managing agreements such as grants, contracts, MOUs, or NDAs through their full lifecycle, from proposal through negotiation, compliance, and closeout.
Experience managing meticulous details within database systems.
Strong independent organizational and project management skills, ability to manage multiple deals and deadlines simultaneously, and exceptional attention to detail.
Effective communication and leadership skills, including the ability to explain complex requirements clearly to diverse audiences.
Ability to exercise discretion and judgment when handling sensitive information.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and aptitude for learning new database and CRM software.
U.S. citizenship or legal authorization to work in the U.S. without the need for future sponsorship.
Strong ethical practices and the highest standards of integrity.
Systems-thinking ability to understand cross-organizational functions and design workable solutions.
Self-starter.
Problem-solving ability and capacity to build trust and work effectively across diverse teams and stakeholder groups, independently and collaboratively.
Intellectual curiosity and willingness to learn and adapt in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.

Nice To Haves

Hands-on experience maintaining partner or donor databases.
Experience conducting prospect research.
Familiarity with land policy, urban planning, public finance, or related policy areas.
Working knowledge of federal grants compliance requirements (OMB Uniform Guidance) and/or foundation and funder agreement requirements.

Responsibilities

Support the workflow that turns fundraising and partnership ideas into executed arrangements and awards, including proposal drafting, submission processes, and legal agreements with external partners.
Guide internal and external partners through each stage of funding arrangements, from initial concept notes or proposals through negotiation, execution, compliance monitoring, and closeout.
Maintain standardized documentation for externally funded contracts, including financial reporting, deliverables, acknowledgments, and records.
Monitor funding deadlines and deliverables, ensuring program staff have the information and tools to keep projects progressing as agreed and donors receive required reports on schedule.
Help program staff develop realistic, compliant budgets, timelines, and work plans, and assist with narrative development for external funding proposals.
Develop training and documentation to inform staff about fundraising processes.
Collaborate across the organization to improve operational efficiency.
Maintain and enhance the Salesforce CRM through partner and donor relationship documentation, data entry, training, and routine review and cleanup.
Build and maintain dashboards and reporting mechanisms that show the pipeline of prospects, proposals, and awards across Lincoln programs.
Research potential prospects and fundraising opportunities to advance the Institute’s cultivation efforts.

Benefits

Employer retirement contribution matching employee contributions up to 15%, at three times the employee contribution.
Health insurance with no deductible.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
Employer-funded health reimbursement account for copay assistance.
Short-term disability coverage.
Long-term disability coverage.
Paid parental leave.
Voluntary insurance options, including accident insurance.
Health care flexible spending account.
Dependent care flexible spending account.
Paid time off for holidays, vacation, personal, sick, bereavement, and jury duty.
Office closure between December 24 and January 1 each calendar year.
Flexible schedule and option for a compressed four-day workweek.
Tuition and staff development reimbursement.
Pet insurance.
Employee Assistance Program.