Job Details

KPBS Grants and Engagement Manager

Position Number: 6337809
Location: San Diego, CA
Position Type: Development and Fund Raising

KPBS Grants and Engagement Manager

Req No: 2025-19074
Category: Radio/TV/Multimedia
Type: Full-Time Contract
Salary: $73,000 - $75,900 per year ($6,083.33 - $6,325 per month)
Close Date: 7/22/2025

Overview
The salary range for this position is $73,000 - $75,900 per year ($6,083.33 - $6,325.00 per month) depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable.

This position is scheduled to close on July 22, 2025 at 4:00pm (PST).

Flexibility to work and attend events that occur on nights and weekends is highly valued.

KPBS serves the greater San Diego community with informative, cultural, entertaining and educational television, radio, and digital programming. KPBS TV/FM is the public television and radio station for San Diego. Licensed to San Diego State University, KPBS supports and furthers the university's educational and community service mission by informing, enlightening and empowering its audience. It does so not only by presenting national and locally produced programming of value to its San Diego audience, but also by producing programming about San Diego and its people for distribution nationwide.

This department is responsible for a variety of activities and outreach, including using programming, news content and other related resources to build and foster a KPBS presence in the community and on all KPBS platforms:

Heightening visibility, especially in underserved communities, and demonstrating the station's mission as a vital local force for enrichment;
Increasing awareness that KPBS programming can be a springboard for community dialogue and problem solving;
Reaching new, diverse, underrepresented and underserved audiences through such programs as KPBS Cultural Connections, community connection/ascertainment , One Book, One San Diego, One Book Sin Fronteras and KPBS Kids, thus demonstrating that all residents of the San Diego and Imperial Counties have a stake in KPBS because KPBS has a stake in them;
and collaborate with the KPBS Development Department to cultivate major donors through Producers Club as well as support other departments as needed in facilitating outreach for events and diversity initiatives.

The department is also responsible for securing grants from existing and new funders in order to help ensure the sustainability of the station. Grant responsibilities include:

Following strict protocols set by Finance and Accounting, the department ensures that grant activity is audit- proof.
Researching and writing grant proposals to support all areas of KPBS.
Developing budgets and monitoring completion of proposed deliverables.
Completing all funder reports, including interim and final reports and requested updates.
In addition, the department is charged with conducting and interpreting research and evaluation activities relating to content and initiatives such as One Book, One San Diego, community connection/ascertainment and KPBS Kids.
Ensuring that existing funders are informed of upcoming events that are of interest to them and sending out invitations.

Perks you'll enjoy as a member of #teamKPBS

Working on a college campus & in public media: Access to campus facilities and staff perks, farmer's market Tuesday's, tons of eateries, community events, entertainment, etc.
Hybrid schedule/ remote work flexibility options (varies by job)
10 vacation days, 1 personal day & 13 holidays off (4+ days off over winter break)
Enjoy a 'beautiful day in the neighborhood' with local employee discounts
Opportunity drawings to attend SDSU basketball games, local concerts and events
Discounts on local attractions (theme parks, entertainment, restaurants, memberships)
Free wellness classes & programs
Monthly pop-up events
Full benefits packages that are unmatched (medical, dental, vision, life)
Sick leave accruals and paid leave options
On-site childcare at a discounted rate (based on availability)
Opportunities for continued learning and professional development
Flexible spending account(s)
Employee assistance program
Matching and voluntary retirement savings plan

Responsibilities
Under the general guidance of the Director of Grants and Engagement, will collaborate with KPBS departments to determine funding needs and opportunities that support the strategic efforts of KPBS. The position will be responsible for conducting the full range of activities required to prepare, submit, and manage grant proposals to foundations and corporate sources. In addition, the position will be charged with developing and nurturing relationships with targeted funding organizations, and will work closely with the Corporate Development Manager and the Director of Development to strategize the approach potential corporate funders, leverage resources, and to avoid duplicating contact. In addition to grant management, the position has the overall responsibility for managing and implementing specific KPBS' community engagement programs and projects.

The following information is intended to be representative of the work performed by incumbents in this position and is not all-inclusive. The omission of a specific duty or responsibility will not preclude it from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical extension of position responsibilities. Job descriptions may be changed at any time based on the needs of the department.

Grant Management Duties - 60%

Manage grant process within KPBS, ensuring clear communications with departments seeking grants, by identifying appropriate staff to collaborate with, conduct interviews and ensure all pertinent information is collected and synthesized.
Write and submit grant proposals in response to funder requests.
Oversee grant proposal process, ensuring that KPBS meets all the criteria and requirements for grant submissions, and meets all required grant deadlines.
Ensure that grant proposals are complete before submitting, including grammar, style, structure and all pertinent documents attached.
Subscribe to services that provide grant opportunity notifications such as the San Diego Foundation, Chronicle of Philanthropy, Inside Philanthropy, San Diego State University, Candid (Foundation Directory).
Research grant opportunities that meet goals for KPBS, as outlined in the strategic plan.
Attend events that serve as networking opportunities with potential funding.
Analyze internal projects to determine which offer the greatest opportunity for funding.
Analyze 990's of funders and conduct additional research to determine fit of funder, paying close attention to location, type of organization and average amounts of funding.
Create and develop project budgets for grant proposals.
Contact potential funders to make an introduction and inquire about funding prospects.
Analyze, research and write grant reports about potential funders.
Create presentations to potential funders.
Create talking points and provide research about potential funders.
Create, develop, and implement strategies to continually engage local community, family and national foundations.
Engage in donor cultivation in order to build and foster relationships with potential funders on an ongoing basis.
Create and maintain templates responses for standard grant application questions in order to streamline the application process and be more efficient.
Work with SDSURF Development Specialists to submit/process grants.
Regularly update grant opportunity grid with possible funders' information and status.
Create funding agreements with corporate sponsors who support grant funded engagement programs.
Supervise the Senior Grants & Engagement Coordinator position
Manage the completion of standard grant and departmental documents by Senior Grants & Engagement Coordinator including, but not limited to: Mileage Reimbursement; Expense Reimbursement; Community partner contact lists; Event listing and postings; Trade agreements; Story Tracking; Monthly JV grant accounting and other documents as they occur.
Participate in developing annual departmental budgets.

Engagement - 35%

Oversee and manage KPBS' news community engagement community connection/ascertainment initiative, ensuring this project meets the goals of the strategic plan.
Work with the news team and other departments to analyze community feedback and determine the best topics for conversations.
Lead the vision of the community connection/ascertainment initiative.
Convene listening tours with the community to determine what topics are under covered.
Collaborate with the news department and other departments to choose topics, bringing topics to news from the community.
Oversee efforts to select community members who will participate in community connection/ascertainment
Manage event timeline and communications to ensure that all departments and collaborators know their roles and deadlines.
Coordinate the creation of all marketing materials for community connection/ascertainment
Ensure appropriate community involvement by reaching out to key non-profit organizations and community stakeholders.
Manage event timeline and communications to ensure that all departments and collaborators know their roles and deadlines.
Conduct and lead meetings to ensure each participant is clear on their responsibilities.
Develop and foster partnerships with organizations and community leaders, who are aligned with KPBS's mission.
Ensure partners are engaged in these initiatives by reviewing the goals of the project and confirming mutual responsibilities.
Develop formal written partner agreements including managing the required review by the finance department.
Develop programming ideas by conducting conversations with partners, colleagues and relevant departments.
Collaborate on content for use in promotion or during virtual programming on the internet, including graphic production and promotional copy.
Represent KPBS in the community, at conferences, and special events.
Establish and maintain new and maintain ongoing relationships with partners and other non-profit organizations.
Create partner agreements.
Manage the weekly outreach meeting.
Ensure compliance with grant agreements, including review of funder contracts, and development of grant reports.

Other Duties as Assigned - 5%

Other duties and projects in order to accomplish station strategic priorities.

Qualifications
Knowledge and Abilities

Experience writing successful grants and making presentations to community leaders and potential funders.
Must demonstrate the ability to work independently, with groups, as well as under direct supervision in past work experience.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong persuasive writing techniques. Excellent knowledge of grammar and style.
The candidate must be well organized and able to effectively handle ongoing multiple projects. In addition, the candidate must be able to perform well during stressful situations.
Must be able to effectively interact with people at all levels (including his or her superiors, administrative staff, students and community partners.
Ability to foster relationships with people and organizations from various disciplines.
Ability to apply independent judgment, discretion and initiative to address problems and develop solutions.
Ability to perform standard arithmetic functions.
Ability to create tools to assess outcomes using data.
Ability to objectively assess outcomes of station projects.
Ability to learn, interpret and apply a variety of complex policies and procedures.
Highly motivated self-starter, with a high energy level and strong interpersonal skills.
Demonstrate a high level of cross-cultural sensitivity.
Ability to travel in and out of state for event coordination, off site events, and to attend meetings in San Diego and Imperial counties.
Expertise in computer software, particularly the MS Office suite, and Social Media.
Working knowledge of full range of production techniques and equipment used in video production, including graphics and editing.
Ability to work weekends, early and late shifts when requested.
Strong organizational skills to coordinate all facets of grant writing, budgets, and other projects. Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, and perform work in various situations where numerous and diverse demands are involved.
Excellent interpersonal communication skills to establish and maintain cooperative and cordial working relations with a wide range of internal and public contacts.

Minimum Education

Bachelor's degree in the related field; additional experience may be substituted for the required education on a year for year basis

Minium Experience

Three years of progressively more difficult and related professional experience in an office or administrative environment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL SKILLS

Proven experience in grant writing and event coordination (small and large scale)
Eight years of relevant experience
Management of complex grant-funded projects requiring research and evaluation assessment, budget management and reporting
Previous experience in Budget oversight, Communications, Public and/or Community Relations.
Proven experience working with diverse communities.
Previous experience in copywriting.
Management/supervisory experience.
Bilingual or proficient in English/Spanish.
Journalism and/or public media background preferred
Experience working with graphic design, TV and radio production departments.
Experience working with budget coordination.

Additional Applicant Information:

Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.
Employment decisions are based on an individual's qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support.
SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California's Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.
SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.

To apply, visit https://careers-sdsurf.icims.com/jobs/19074/kpbs-grants-and-engagement-manager/job?in_iframe=1