Manager, Project Development

Position Title : Manager, Project Development

Location : Ireland, Bulgaria, Germany, Austria or Spain

Department : Special Olympics Europe Eurasia

Reports to : Senior Vice President Strategic Development

Organization Summary :

Founded in 1968 , Special Olympics is a global movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities.

We foster acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health, and leadership. With nearly four million athletes and Unified Sports® partners and one million coaches and volunteers in more than 170 countries, Special Olympics delivers more than 30 Olympic-type sports and nearly 50,000 games and competitions every year.

Learn more at SpecialOlympics.org.

Position Summary :

The Manager, Project Development will play a crucial role in securing funding for Special Olympics Europe Eurasia by developing and writing grant proposals, collaborating with internal teams, and maintaining strong relationships with potential donors.

This position requires a highly organized and detail-oriented individual with excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

The Project Development Manager will join a small team with an established track record of success and be responsible for researching potential funding opportunities, preparing compelling grant proposals, and managing the grant application process, specifically in the foundation, corporate and EU markets.

Primary Responsibilities :

• Research and identify potential funding opportunities that align with the organization's mission and programs.
• Develop and write clear, compelling, and persuasive grant proposals and grant reports.
• Work closely with program managers and other internal stakeholders to gather information necessary for grant proposals.
• Collaborate with finance and development teams to ensure accurate budgeting and financial information in grant proposals.
• Manage the full lifecycle of grant applications, including proposal submission, follow-up communication, and reporting requirements.
• Maintain a comprehensive calendar of grant deadlines and deliverables.
• Stay informed about trends in grant writing, fundraising, and the non-profit sector.
• Conduct research on potential donors and grant-making organizations.
• Communicate grant requirements and reporting guidelines and ensure compliance from the operational teams.
• Prepare and submit timely and accurate grant reports as required by donors.
• Assists in the implementation of additional tasks as needed where applicable.

Required Qualifications :

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., English language, communications, non-profit management, business).
• Proven experience in grant writing and fundraising for non-profit organizations.
• Strong research, analytical, and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; additional languages are an asset.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.

Special Olympics provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.