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Title:  Principal, Grant Writing and Communications

About I-CAR:

The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) is a growing, not-for-profit organization, headquartered in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, serving the automotive collision repair industry globally. The organization was established by representatives of the collision repair, automotive, and insurance industries in 1979 and has doubled its revenue over the last six years.

 

Today, the I-CAR brand is stronger than it has been in 40 years of operation and has gained a worldwide reputation. There is momentum and excitement among its committed workforce, instructors and volunteers to continue to help the organization grow and expand its breadth of reach and scale. I-CAR leadership believes that the future of the organization will be importantly influenced by its continuing innovation and relevance of its products, technical programs and services.

 

Position Summary

The Principal, Grant Writing and Communications position is an internal-facing role that will support I-CAR's fundraising and partnership building work through the writing of grants and communication products that enable audiences to understand how their missions and needs align with our work. This individual will work as a key member of a cross functional team accountable for a new strategic endeavor by I-CAR. This initiative will address the critical shortage of technicians in the collision repair inter-industry and help to ensure the safety and well-being of over 30 million drivers on the road. 

 

The individual in this role has an exciting opportunity to not only lead communication and grant writing efforts with partners and funders but contribute to building a new initiative within our organization from the ground up with support from team members and a supervising Director. We are seeking a candidate with strong written, verbal and analytical skills who can develop a convincing case for our new strategic endeavor through grant proposals, slide decks, measurable impact reports, and communications products like brochures and newsletters. A competitive applicant will bring experience in donor communications including grant writing. This unique position within a 501(c)(6) will enable the right professional to gain experience within our industry while driving a mission with the potential for significant social impact.  

 

Primary Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

  • Write grant narratives that include analysis of research, data, and current issues as related to our value proposition for philanthropic, state and federal funding opportunities 

  • Commit to becoming literate in the economic, technological, public policy, and social issues related to our mission and new strategic endeavor 

  • Create slide decks and pitch materials for meetings with potential and existing funding partners 

  • Write reports and project manage the collection and analysis of measurable impact data 

  • Collaborate with members of the Product team and key project members across all teams to ensure that funding opportunities align with the current needs and ambitions of the new strategic endeavor 

  • Support, as needed, the fundraising efforts of I-CAR's 501(c)(3) partner, CREF, including joint development opportunities 

  • Manage funding opportunities, donor contacts, and pipeline progression with Salesforce 

 

Requirements 

Education and Experience: 

  • Bachelor’s degree in humanities, public policy, or similar field required.  Graduates degree preferred but not required. 

  • At least three years of relevant work experience fundraising with non-profits that must include grant writing 

  • At least two years of experience managing and analyzing data and donor information using a CRM, Salesforce experience is preferred 

  • Must have considerable experience with academic writing, research, and citation methods with the ability to flexibly use major style guides including Chicago, MLA, and AP 

  • Must be self-directed; motivated to independently design and execute projects with a high tolerance for ambiguity, trial and error, and revision; and actively contribute as part of a new team that will collaboratively establish processes, practices, and strategies to achieve our goals. 

  • This role is fully remote but will require some travel that will likely not exceed once a quarter. 

 

EEO Statement: 

I-CAR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity / expression, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state or local law, where applicable. Those with criminal histories will be considered in a manner consistent with applicable state and local laws.

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