CIMA Consulting: Senior Consultant

Sr. Development Consultant for Environmental Advocacy Organizations 

(Grant Writer, Foundation Relations, Institutional Giving)

CIMA Consulting is a small firm in Charlottesville, VA, providing clients with strategic insight and support through institutional fundraising (grant writing) and a range of other deliverables. Our team works on behalf of nonprofit organizations across the country, furthering their organizational capacity via fundraising, business development, and organizational design. Candidates with varying levels of experience are encouraged to apply and will be considered equally. 

About the Consultant Role

We are currently hiring a benefits-eligible, 30-hour per week senior consultant to contribute to CIMA Consulting’s growing portfolio of environmental clients. Our immediate need is to add high-level institutional fundraising and client management capacity to our team working with a national environmental advocacy organization. We are also open to 1099 independent contractors.

Primary responsibilities: 

• Managing a portfolio of institutional grants for the client’s climate law program. This includes: 
• Providing top-tier client and project management, becoming a trusted strategic partner for our clients’ senior staff.
• Writing compelling narratives for letters of inquiry, proposals, and other collateral; working with clients to understand their organization and desired voice.
• Identifying funding opportunities through online research, phone calls, and email follow-up.
• Ensuring CIMA meets goals and client expectations through careful internal tracking of progress, application deadlines, and reporting requirements.
• Collaborating closely with other members of the client team.
• Serving as lead consultant for an additional environmental client as we continue to build CIMA’s portfolio this year. 

The ideal candidate will have:

• At least five years’ of experience in grant writing. For this position, we will prioritize experience with grants from private foundations, public charities, and donor advised funds over grants from government and/or corporate sources. 
• Additional experience with individual giving (e.g., major gifts, membership, legacy, etc.), development operations, board/organizational development, and/or other development functions.
• A demonstrated familiarity with and/or knowledge of nonprofit environmental advocacy strategies (i.e., litigation, legislation, rulemaking, and grassroots power-building) Experience with climate (i.e., anti-fossil fuel) advocacy is strongly preferred.
• Proven success in a client-facing project or account management role, and/or a track record of relationship building and accountability.
• Experience in managing and/or mentoring others.
• Experience using standard office software/platforms (Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, CRMs, etc).

Qualities we consider essential for CIMA team members:

• Extremely organized and self-motivated, able to prioritize multiple deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal skills (communication and relationship building)
• Willing to collaborate, take direction and ask thoughtful questions, then work independently to complete tasks
• Keen writing, editing, and proofreading skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-moving, intellectual environment, with the feel of a start-up; willingness to listen, collaborate, and seize opportunities for growth
• Flexibility, dedication, and the ability to laugh at one’s self (and others, but only in a nice way)
• An understanding and appreciation of DEI principles

Our team is primarily based in Charlottesville and surrounding areas, but we have a hybrid, flexible-work schedule. While our preference is for team members to be based in Charlottesville, qualified candidates wishing to work remotely will be considered. 

Position Details: 

Working Title: Senior Development Consultant 

Salary Range: $36.06 - $40.87 / hour

Benefits:  Medical/Dental/Vision, 401K, Profit Share, Flexible PTO

Exemption Status: Exempt

Hybrid Work Available: Yes. Preference for candidates in or around central VA. 

Resumes without cover letters will not be considered. 

If we sound like the right place for you, we want to hear from you. There is no ‘perfect’ candidate. Everyone brings something different to the team and those differences make us better.

Our goal is to be a company that is representative of the people that we and our nonprofit clients serve. We encourage all interested applicants to apply, including but not limited to members of the LGBTQIA+ community, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), and individuals with disabilities. CIMA does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or military status.