Lead Adoptions Grant Manager

PetSmart Charities is a mission-driven nonprofit committed to making the world a better place for pets and all who love them. With over $600 million granted to organizations across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada, we’ve made a meaningful impact – helping millions of pets find loving homes, expanding access to affordable veterinary care, fighting pet hunger, and providing disaster response in times of crisis.

Field Position:

This position is considered Field based supporting our Great Lakes Region (WI, MI, OH, IN, IL) and is considered to be a blend of onsite and remote work activity. Field associates will spend their time both traveling to and spending time in various PetSmart locations and can expect to be asked to travel to Phoenix Home Office periodically throughout the year. Field associates typically work out of their home office when not traveling as outlined above. The ideal candidate will reside in one of the states outlined above.

Summary
This role is responsible for identifying, supporting, and managing partnerships with diverse animal welfare organizations across the United States and Canada, all dedicated to nurturing the human-animal bond. The position oversees a portfolio of financial rewards and grant opportunities aligned with the mission of PetSmart Charities’ Adoption Program. Additionally, it serves as a liaison between PetSmart Store Operations and adoption partners, strengthening relationships across the home office and field leadership to optimize adoptions. The role also represents PetSmart Charities externally at public and industry events to promote the brand, initiatives, and grant opportunities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Grant Cultivation, Management, Evaluation, and Administration

• Review new adoption partner and grant applications, assessing risk, mission alignment, and potential impact; recommend funding decisions.
• Support current and prospective grantees throughout the grant lifecycle, ensuring compliance with PetSmart Charities and PetSmart policies.
• Serve as the primary contact for adoption-focused grant seekers and grantees, communicating programmatic and fiscal requirements.
• Evaluate grantee performance data, review reports, and track progress against key metrics.
• Draft and negotiate grant contracts, outlining purpose, conditions, fund distribution, impact expectations, and acknowledgment requirements; manage compliance issues, including amendments and extensions.
• Manage regional grant budgets to maximize impact, align with the organization's mission, and demonstrate stewardship of donor funds.

Relationship Building

• Cultivate collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including Store and District Leaders, partners, and grantees.
• Identify opportunities to increase awareness of PetSmart Charities’ mission both internally and externally.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to implement new or revised policies, procedures, and corrective action plans to ensure program success and compliance.
• Partner with other Grant Managers to identify opportunities for collaboration and strategic investment to maximize sustainable community impact.

External Representation

• Represent PetSmart Charities at conferences, meetings, events, partner facilities, and PetSmart stores, effectively communicating the organization's mission.
• Maintain current knowledge of the animal welfare industry to ensure reputable external representation.
• Travel nationally for partner visits as needed.

Travel Requirements

• 30–40%

Required Skills & Experience

• Strong commitment to PetSmart Charities’ Mission, Vision, and Values.
• Proven ability to translate strategic outcomes into actionable grant opportunities.
• Demonstrated success in building and maintaining partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Skilled in navigating complex relationships and resolving conflicts.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Strong communication, negotiation, writing, listening, and interpersonal skills.
• Highly organized with keen observation skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, Project, etc.).

Education and/or Experience

• 5-7 years of relevant work experience in grant-making, or other relevant fields; specific experience in portfolio and/or program management preferred.
• Experience in animal welfare or human social services is preferred but not required.
• Demonstrable experience in translating strategic outcomes into grant opportunities.
• Experience with scoring mechanisms and systems, and a basic understanding of the use of data to support grant impact measurement, preferred.

At PetSmart, we work hard to create a culture where and we celebrate the unique stories, backgrounds, and experiences our associates share. These experiences not only bring new perspectives in shaping our Belonging culture but they’re core to PetSmart’s success.

Not sure if you meet 100% of the position requirements and whether you should apply? We’d still like to hear from you and encourage you to apply with us! You just may be the ideal candidate for this role, and if not this one, perhaps another position.

Our home office offers outstanding amenities in a fun and rewarding workplace including:

• Pet friendly environment, bring your pets to work!
• On-site Dog Park
• “Top Dog” gym with equipment, fitness classes, massage therapists and personal trainers
• “Sit & Stay” Café serving fresh breakfast and lunch options
• On-site coffee bar
• “Lil’ Paws” learning center and onsite daycare facility (associate paid)
• Volunteer events with PetSmart Charities
• Learn more about #Life A tPetSmart here:
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• If you don't already live in the Phoenix area here's a guide to the area:

PetSmart provides an equal opportunity for all associates and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics.