Vice President, Development

Summary

Join Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) as their Vice President of Development! This critical executive-level role involves devising and implementing a comprehensive fundraising program across DFER's entities and partner organizations, encompassing both non-profit and political fundraising. You will manage a fundraising team, cultivate donor relationships, oversee special events, and advise the CEO on organizational strategy. The position requires significant experience in 501c3 and political fundraising, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects. DFER offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits, including health, vision, and dental coverage; life insurance; disability insurance; a 401k plan; paid family leave; and paid time off. The position is currently remote with approximately 30% travel required.

Requirements

• 10-15 years of experience and success in managing both 501c3 and political fundraising strategies and growing diverse funder relationships, with a verifiable proven track record of results
• Direct experience with donor solicitations from both foundations and individuals including initial communications, presentations, proposal development, and relationship management
• Exemplary oral and written communications skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple cross-departmental projects with high-level stakeholder buy-in including department leads, the CEO and Chief of Staff and Strategy, and the Board of Directors
• Strong ability to build and manage a diverse team of fundraising professionals that may include both staff and external consultants
• A professional or volunteer background that includes a strong orientation to issues affecting educational opportunity for children, and/or a passion for social change with the ability to convey enthusiastically the work of the organization
• Entrepreneurial, innovative mindset, high level of integrity, and excellent judgment and discretion
• Expertise in current fundraising techniques and major gifts fundraising, including use of donor and client management databases
• Ability to think strategically and creatively to grow a fundraising base and develop new materials
• Ability to adapt in light of organizational and donor needs
• Must maintain strict confidentiality related to donors, staff, and other organizational information
• Flexibility to travel as required in performance of duties
• Evening and weekend hours required at certain times of the year
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work for any employer in the United States and will be required to submit proof of eligibility

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategic fundraising plan to increase total revenue from diverse sources to support DFER’s political and policy goals
• Drive separate, but interconnected, strategies for 501c3 revenue, 501c4 revenue, Federal PAC contributions, and bundling for candidates running for elected office
• Collaborate with the CEO and Chief of Staff and Strategy and coordinate with others from the senior management team and state chapters to align fundraising activities with organizational goals
• Effectively manage a development team of highly skilled professionals, including supervising annual goal-setting, performance management, professional development, and setting and maintaining a positive team culture
• Advise CEO and Chief of Staff on overall organizational strategy and maximizing fundraising opportunities
• Identify, research, prospect, and cultivate a robust portfolio of donors for individual programs and general support, with a specific goal of growing total organizational revenue over the next 5 years
• Manage and cultivate current donor relationships with high-level foundation staff and high-net-worth individuals
• Oversee the development and execution of special events, including multiple annual high-profile fundraising galas, and fundraisers for candidates running for elected office
• Maintain a process to track organizational metrics and outcomes used in grant proposals and reports
• Write and/or oversee highly effective, well-crafted grant proposals and reports to grant-making institutions, ensuring that appropriate staff members are involved in a timely and organized manner and that all deadlines are met. Oversee the creation of timely grant reports
• Oversee process to prepare accurate, concise, well-written, and thoughtful meeting briefs for donor meetings and cultivation events
• Train staff in development policies and practices in compliance with legal and organizational requirements, including the team’s CRM, Salesforce
• Oversee the infrastructure for smooth development operations
• Partner with the CEO, Chief of Staff and Strategy, and Director of Finance to ensure strong organizational cash flow, timely financial reports to donors, and proper restriction of funds to donor guidelines
• Co-manage Board of Directors including process to identify and onboard new board members, and assume responsibility for all development reports to the board

Preferred Qualifications

• Significant experience in the political fundraising space is a plus
• Experience using Salesforce and Asana a plus

Benefits

• Health, vision, and dental coverage
• Flexible spending plan
• Life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• 401K plan with a match plan
• Flexible spending/benefits plan
• Paid family leave
• Paid time off (vacation, sick time, and all National holidays)