Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) is a statewide organization that strives to enable Illinois soybean producers to be the most knowledgeable and profitable soybean producers in the world.

The Manager of External Relations will engage with other organizations in Illinois and nationally to conduct educational programs, conservation management practices, new sustainability programs, on-farm demonstrations, and pilot projects that support farmers in scaling-up conservation practices.  This position will also develop and implement fundraising strategies that support the strategic vision of the ISA Foundation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Manage all financial transactions.
  • Liaison with Soy Innovation Center.
  • Pursue government funding opportunities (NRCS, USDA).
  • Offers input on the vision and strategy of the foundation.
  • Develop fundraising strategies and plan including donor recruitment, grant acquisition, and budgeting.
  • Cultivate positive donor relationships with other organizations and individuals.
  • Develops and monitors the Foundation's budget and financial plans; authorizes and approves Foundation expenditures; manages the annual external audit process.
  • Works with Foundation Board and investment manager to ensure the most advantageous investment plan.
  • Seek grant opportunities that will help impact ISA areas of interest.
  • Other duties as directed.

 

Competencies

  • Able to work independently or cooperatively with others on a team.
  • Capacity to communicate with tact and professionalism.
  • Strong multi-tasking skills with a comfort in maintaining multiple, often conflicting priorities.
  • Strong written and oral communication.
  • Excellent interpersonal, analytical, management, and organizational skills.
  • Ability to organize a daily workload by priorities.
  • Demonstrate high-level proficiency with office technology and equipment, including printers, copiers/fax machines, scanners, personal computers, and electronic communications devices and their associated applications, including the Microsoft Office suite.

Required Qualifications

  • 5 to 7 years of related experience.
  • Experience with grant writing and budgeting.

 

Education

  • Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or communications.

 

Physical Requirements

  • Normal office working conditions.
  • Must be available to travel offsite for meetings/events when necessary.
  • Must be available for Board of Directors Meetings.
  • Must be available after hours and on weekends to troubleshoot problems that may arise.
  • Some physical demands – may need to lift between 35-50 lbs.