Senior Manager – Rural Democracy Policy & Program

Clover Search Works

. Develop and implement grantmaking strategies for assigned priority states .

Posted 11/7/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesSenior💰 $85,000 - $100,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in grantmaking strategies, policy advocacy, and relationship management within nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. Proficient in project management, data collection, and facilitating community engagement to advance social change and equity.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Grantmaking StrategiesPolicy AdvocacyRelationship ManagementProject ManagementData Collection

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Grant Proposal ReviewPolicy Change AdvancementEvent OrganizationData Management SystemsResearch and Outreach

Soft Skills

Strong Communication SkillsRelationship BuildingCreative Problem-SolvingAttention to DetailAbility to Work Independently

Tools & Technologies

Monday.comGoogle SuiteAirtableFluxxSlack

Industry Keywords

Nonprofit SectorCivic EngagementRacial JusticeRural Policy501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) Management

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop and implement grantmaking strategies for assigned priority states
Manage a policy and communications-focused grantmaking portfolio and state-based grantmaking
Conduct research and outreach in specific geographies, communities, and issue areas
Build trusting relationships with existing and new grantees and partners
Collect grantee reports and participate in site visits
Gather, review, and organize grant proposals, reports, and supporting materials
Prioritize and recommend grants and support grant docket preparation
Assess impacts and opportunities with field and funding partners
Co-lead and manage the bi-annual Rural Policy Action Summit, including organizing a 50-person convening
Project manage and contribute to the bi-annual Rural Policy Action Report
Serve as a thought partner on policy best practices
Support the grantee network through resources, coaching, and peer-to-peer learning
Contribute to policy-focused communications
Support the Senior Program Officer and Strategic Partnerships team
Participate in grantee data collection, surveys, and political landscape summaries
Monitor and update grantmaking data systems with the Grants Management team
Advance program priorities through meetings, retreats, surveys, work plans, and project plans
Facilitate grantee access to resources, tools, and capacity-building opportunities
Identify persuasive case examples and timely news for newsletters, annual reports, and policy memos
Translate grantee impact stories, photos, quotes, and anecdotes into fundraising content
Work part-time with affiliated Rural Victory Fund to advance 501(c)(4) investments

Requirements

What you’ll need

7+ years of related work experience in a nonprofit, advocacy, government, intermediary, or foundation setting, and/or equivalent
Understanding of social change, civic engagement, public policy, or political strategy
Significant experience advancing policy change and navigating policy tradeoffs within coalitions
Experience connecting local and state priorities to federal policy
Demonstrated commitment to racial justice and fluency with equity and anti-racist practices
Ability to listen deeply, hold space for different perspectives, and work with people from varied political, cultural, and social backgrounds
Strong writing and verbal communication skills
Excellent relationship management skills with diverse constituencies
Ability to work independently and drive complex projects involving cross-organizational and external collaboration
Experience building and using organizational systems to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and complex projects
Exceptional attention to detail
Acumen with event and convening organization and facilitation, and working with coalitions
Entrepreneurial and resourceful, proactive and creative problem-solving
Connection to and passion for rural people and places
Experience in the philanthropic sector and with grantmaking preferred
Experience working on rural federal policy and/or with national advocacy organizations preferred
Understanding of the media and communications landscape preferred
Understanding of rural and small town America through lived, professional, and/or volunteer experience preferred
Familiarity with Monday.com, Google Suite, Airtable, Fluxx, and Slack preferred
501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) nonprofit program management experience preferred
Must be authorized to work in the United States

Benefits

Comp & perks

100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
401k retirement plan
3% automatic 401k contribution and up to a 3% employer match on 401k contributions
Pre-tax transportation benefits
120 hours of vacation time annually
80 hours of health leave annually
Up to 2 days of casual leave annually
20 hours of volunteer leave annually
13 paid holidays annually
12 weeks of paid family and medical leave after 90 days of employment
Fully remote work from home within the United States
Occasional travel within the US
Professional growth and impact opportunities