How to apply for Development Manager

About It's Electric Inc

It's Electric Inc is tackling one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption: charging for drivers who park on the street and don't have a garage. Their curbside charging solutions aim to make electric vehicles accessible to everyone, not just homeowners. Working here means directly contributing to the clean energy transition in a tangible, infrastructure-focused way.

About the role

As Development Manager, you'll be the engine behind It's Electric's growth funding—identifying and securing grants and competition awards from private, philanthropic, and government sources. You'll own the entire grant lifecycle, from strategy and writing to post-award compliance and reporting, while also crafting persuasive materials that tell the company's story to funders. This role is critical for scaling curbside charging infrastructure across US cities.

A typical day

You might start your day reviewing new funding opportunities and updating the grant calendar, then dive into writing a proposal for a state EV incentive program. Later, you'll coordinate with the engineering team to gather data for a compliance report and edit a press release about a recent award. Expect a mix of independent writing, cross-functional collaboration, and deadline-driven project management.

Who It's Electric Inc is looking for

• Has at least 2 years of experience in grant writing, business development, campaign strategy, or communications—ideally in clean energy, transportation, or urban infrastructure.
• Is a stellar writer and editor who can turn technical details into compelling narratives for diverse funders (government, foundations, private investors).
• Is highly organized and detail-oriented, with a track record of managing multiple deadlines and compliance requirements simultaneously.
• Is proficient in Google Workspace, Excel, Word, Adobe Acrobat, and CRM/database tools, and can quickly learn new systems to track opportunities and awards.

Tips for this application

• Highlight any experience with government grants (federal, state, or local) or philanthropic funding—It's Electric likely pursues these heavily for infrastructure projects.
• Showcase your ability to write persuasively for different audiences: include a sample grant proposal or a link to a successful application you led.
• Demonstrate familiarity with EV charging, urban mobility, or climate tech—mention specific trends or policies (e.g., NEVI, Justice40) in your cover letter.
• Emphasize your project management skills: describe how you've managed grant calendars, compliance reporting, and cross-team collaboration.
• Use your application to prove you can work remotely: mention past remote work successes and your proficiency with collaboration tools like Google Workspace and CRMs.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your proven track record in securing grants or competition awards, with quantifiable results (e.g., dollar amounts, number of awards).', 'Your ability to manage post-award compliance and reporting—show you understand the importance of meticulous documentation.', "Your passion for equitable EV adoption and how It's Electric's mission aligns with your personal or professional goals.", 'Your writing and editing prowess: mention specific examples where your persuasive writing directly led to funding or partnership success.']

Research before applying

• Explore It's Electric's website and news coverage to understand their current projects, partners, and expansion plans.
• Research federal and state EV charging incentives (e.g., NEVI formula program, California's Clean Transportation Program) to speak knowledgeably about funding sources.
• Look into the company's leadership team and investors to understand their background and priorities.
• Review recent grant awards in the EV charging space to identify trends and competitors, and think about how It's Electric can stand out.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Walk us through a grant application you led from start to finish—what was your strategy, and what was the outcome?
• How do you stay organized when managing multiple grant deadlines and compliance requirements? Describe your system.
• How would you approach identifying and prioritizing funding opportunities for a startup focused on curbside EV charging?
• Tell us about a time you had to write persuasively for a skeptical audience. How did you tailor your message?
• What do you know about the current funding landscape for EV infrastructure, and how would you position It's Electric to win grants?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention It's Electric's specific mission or the curbside charging niche.
• Failing to provide concrete examples of successful grant writing or funding secured—vague claims won't cut it.
• Neglecting to demonstrate attention to detail (e.g., typos, formatting errors) in your application, since the role requires superior editing skills.