Description

ANNUAL SALARY:       $90,000 - $110,000  LOCATION:                    DC or NY (Remote) / East Coast Preferred

SUMMARY

The Director of Development is responsible for identifying opportunities and developing and implementing initiatives to cultivate and solicit development prospects to ensure a strong base of ongoing financial support. The Director of Development is entrusted with responsibility for the recognition and stewardship of individual major donors and institutional gifts to PeerForward as well as researching and sourcing new donors and major foundations.

Working directly with the CEO, the Director sets goals, monitors work and evaluates results to ensure that departmental and operating requirements are met and are in line with the needs and mission of PeerForward. The PeerForward organizational structure is designed and managed to maximize collaboration and transparency, reflecting the team structure it implements in its partner schools. The Director also works closely with the program department as well as the national board of directors.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Planning and Strategy

• Formulate and execute a development plan.
• Collaborate with the CEO and internal management team to identify needed funds, strategic approaches, and preferred funding targets, including foundations, corporations, individuals, etc.
• Strategically assess funding requests and probabilities in order to reach annual goal of $4-$6 million dollars.

Prospect Research

• Research and qualify prospects for funding and collaborate with the appropriate development staff to gain accurate prospect information.

Fund Development

• Conduct research, engage in prospecting, and develop applications to multiple donor sources (both individual and major national foundations) on a continuous basis. 

• Manage a substantial and constantly growing portfolio of prospects that will enable growth and financial goal attainment, with focus on soliciting gifts of $50,000 and higher
• Execute meetings alone and with CEO, facilitate presentations, communications, and negotiations with qualified prospects.
• Network, prospect, and assist in presentations at selected internal and external events.
• Work with Senior Writer to craft funding proposals and related materials.

Stewardship

• Build and maintain a robust donor base by developing and maintaining key long-term relationships with funders.
• Engage and manage current and potential funders with the goal of increasing future funding levels through community outreach, media, clear and compelling funding requests, accurate reporting, and branding and marketing activities.
• Manage relationships with prospective and existing donors in all aspects of the gift cycle including identifying, qualifying, and initiating contact with potential leadership and major gift donors; developing appropriate cultivation strategies; moving potential donors toward solicitation and closure
• Complete targeted number of prospect/donor visits and solicitations each year

Advisory Board

• Leverage CEO and Board members in all aspects of development activities and take an active role with the Board’s Development Committee.

Reporting and Tracking

• With support from the Managing Director of Development Operations & Senior Writer, maintain prospect management report system, Salesforce.com, and other provided tools, which outline weekly activities and potential funding.
• Maintain a calendar of reports to funders on status of funding activities.
• Coordinate with finance staff on timely and accurate pledge receivable collection.
• Serve as a collaborator of proposals, stewardship reports, and other fundraising collateral.
• Track solicitation amounts, anticipated gifts, pledges, and income, and provide regular revenue and cash flow updates on projections versus results.

Marketing and Public Relations

• Actively contribute to public relations activities, such as social media, website, and press coverage, and provide updates to PeerForward’s staff for publications.
• Contribute to quarterly electronic funder newsletter.

Internal Collaboration & Management

• Share information and resources with development staff to enhance the effectiveness of coordinated fundraising efforts.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues on major gifts activities germane to their subject area or department; participate in and support the fundraising efforts of program staff.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Enthusiasm for PeerForward’s mission of helping low-income students solve for school and post-secondary challenges through the power of peers.
• 5-7 years of fundraising, business development, or sales experience required.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Ability to aggressively and consistently follow up and follow through, with determined self-motivation and autonomy.
• Experience in planning, leading, and managing development projects, including coordinating with peers to achieve desired outcomes, and tracking and reporting on progress to senior management.
• Highly skilled in upward management.
• Proven ability to create and successfully execute a multi-year strategic development plan to meet annual income targets.
• Ability to maintain high level of organization, to create processes, to manage several projects at once, and to meet deadlines.
• Skill in networking and communicating a passion for the mission of PeerForward.
• Experience in creating and delivering powerful, compelling written and oral communications.
• Clear and compelling writing style.
• Willingness to continually learn about the field of education as it pertains to low-income and first-generation student experience and achievement.
• Ability to convey complex ideas through brief, simple materials.
• Success in conveying experience, credibility, and confidence when engaging external audiences.
• Highly skilled in cultivating relationships with donors.
• Excellent computer and Internet skills, including Microsoft Office software and Salesforce.
• Evidence of sound judgment, discretion, and highest ethical standards.
• Willingness and ability to travel.

How to Apply:   Please submit your cover letter and resume