- Location: US Office (Dedham) & Remote
- Department: Development
- Office Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm
- Position Status: Management (Without Overtime)
- Organisational Relationship: Reports to Managing Director
General Summary
The Director of Development is responsible for spearheading and implementing a sustainable, multi-million dollar fundraising effort in support of the significant growth and established 5-year goals of the organization’s Kenya-based programs. The Director of Development will develop and implement a fundraising strategic plan for expanding major gifts, corporate sponsorship and foundation giving. Duties are fulfilled using his/her expertise as a development professional with high capacity for innovation and the facilitation of organizational growth and change. The role requires a high-energy, inspirational leader with exceptional management, organization and communication skills, superior responsiveness, ethics and professional integrity, and an ability to engage colleagues, partners and stakeholders at all levels to align with the organization’s vision and objectives.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
“Essential duties” are those that an individual must be able to perform with or without reasonable accommodation or additional staffing support.
- Develop and execute a clear and actionable multi-year fundraising strategy and plan.
- Maintain and expand pipeline of mission-aligned private institutional funders
- Secure financial support and cultivate relationships with individuals, foundations and corporations.
- Partner with co-founder in the cultivation of major gifts.
- Lead and oversee external communications strategy to promote donor engagement, including website, social media, impact reports, and other donor-facing communications
- Develop and refine language, tools, and systems to support effective grant-writing.
- Develop and implement systems (technology, people and process) for maintaining a clearly-defined and sustainable development function.
- Oversee fundraising management and organization and reporting, including pipelines, donor prospect tracking, strategy, task assignment and maintenance of timelines (including campaign calendar and tracking tools).
- Prepare, monitor and provide regular finance reports and analysis of strategic fundraising initiatives and resources.
- Arrange and attend stewardship and cultivation events consistent with organizational priorities.
- Oversee department finances, resources, and budget, seeking and recommending opportunities to improve efficiency and decrease costs while increasing quality of services.
- Develop appropriate departmental policies, procedures and resources to efficiently meet goals.
- Train and manage key personnel and consultants
- Support Board of Directors, Managing Director, and Executive Director on special projects, as requested.
- Promote maturity, professionalism and ethical practices while working as a team member.
Position Specifications
Education and Work Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree required
- 5+ years experience managing a development department, preferably for a non-profit organization
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Fluency in English
- Well-developed professional interpersonal skills; ability to interact effectively with donors, partners, vendors and colleagues at all organizational levels
- Excellent organizational, time management, and decision-making skills needed for a fast-paced and dynamic work environment
- Ability to think critically and manage change in support of strategic growth and shifting priorities
- Excellent judgment, integrity and problem solving skills
Strong mentoring experience to inspire and develop a team with diverse levels of expertise - Entrepreneurial team player who can multitask, prioritize effectively and adhere to multiple deadlines
- Superior management skills; ability to influence, motivate and engage others
- Self-motivated and results-oriented
- Highly responsive, energetic, flexible, collaborative, and proactive.
- Exceptional written, oral, and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with senior leadership and Board of Directors
- High level of knowledge in development, philanthropy and fundraising fields,
Exceptional analytical skills to effectively assess, monitor, and communicate data - Knowledge and high proficiency in computer applications
- Accountable for the appropriate handling of confidential and sensitive information
- Ability to review the work of others and provide effective ongoing feedback
- Ability to respond quickly and maintain composure under pressure
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion when making independent decisions
Additional Requirements:
- Consistent with the management level of this position, some weekend and after-hours work is expected and required to meet organizational priorities.
- Frequent travel and passport required.
- Additional responsibilities may be assigned to support coverage for colleagues who are absent, on holiday or personal leave.
Working Conditions:
- All US-based positions are based in the Dedham office twice weekly as agreed upon by the team at large
- A significant (8 hour) time difference is acknowledged and generally accommodated for scheduled and unscheduled communications with Kenya-based colleagues and leadership.
The statements contained in this job description are not necessarily all-inclusive; additional duties may be assigned and requirements may vary at the discretion of the organizational leadership.
Does this feel like you? Application details below!
Please email a resumé and cover letter to Justine King, Managing Director, at [email protected].
