Director Of Development

Since 1973, Women Employed (WE) has been creating fundamental, systemic change for working women. WE is an advocacy organization working to change systems because when you improve a law, work with a company to create supportive policies, or help a college develop programs to keep working students in school, you can improve the circumstances of hundreds—maybe millions—of women all at once.

WE pursue equity for all. WE value the unique experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, skills, knowledge, and workstyles that a diverse workforce brings to our organization. WE are committed to building a diverse and inclusive staff, and we encourage women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and individuals with different abilities to apply.

The Director of Development reports to the President & CEO. While providing leadership for our Senior Development Officer, Events and Volunteer Manager, and Advancement Coordinator, the Director of Development will successfully craft & drive Women Employed’s comprehensive fundraising and donor management strategy including individual, online, corporate, foundation, and special events. The Director will build, cultivate and steward excellent relationships with Board, staff, and donors; and manage day-to-day development operations, including the effective execution of Women Employed’s development strategy and achievement of campaign goals. Additionally, the Director will cultivate and steward their own portfolio of mid- to high-level individual donors, staff the President & CEO as well as other key staff and Board of Directors in individual giving; establish personal relationships with donors and prospects; oversee the Annual Fund and fundraising events including the fundraising for our signature annual fundraiser; and play a leadership role in the development and implementation of the organizations’ comprehensive events strategy and volunteer management.

This role is collaborative, and the person in it will work across teams to secure and grow revenue needed for the organization to meet its strategic and organizational goals and move forward the mission of achieving economic equity for women and pursue equity for all.

Responsibilities:

Development Strategy

• Develop annual revenue goals and strategies to diversify and increase the current organizational budget of $3.6 million. This includes creating a comprehensive development plan; tracking and reporting progress; and providing ongoing evaluation and oversight.
• Develop and implement moves management strategies to acquire, renew, and advance donors through the donor pipeline, with a particular focus on both mid-level and major donors.

• Lead efforts to identify, secure and retain new and existing foundation and corporate support, including conducting outreach and giving presentations to prospective funders about Women Employed’s programs and impact.
• In coordination with the Senior Development Officer, provide oversight and support when needed to Women Employed’s grants management, including the coordination, development and tracking of existing and proposed grant projects; and working with Policy, Program, and Research (PPR) and Finance staff to complete and submit timely grant reports.

Individual and Major Donors

• Lead efforts in developing and growing a diverse, robust donor base and pipeline at all levels, including annual fund appeals, e-solicitations, and online and monthly giving.
• Oversee all stages of the donor pipeline, including identification, qualification through prospect research (with support from the Senior Development Officer), cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship with appropriate recognition.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with current donors to increase gift size and retention through donor events, online and direct mail streams, and informal communication.
• Lead the strategy, development, and creation of major gift and planned gift donor communications and materials with a racial and gender equity lens.
• Actively cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of 100–150 gift prospects and donors.

Special Events (The Working Lunch)

• Provide direction and oversight to the Organization’s comprehensive events strategy including the annual signature event, The Working Lunch, and to the donor relationships connected to the Summer Leadership Program.
  • Develop, manage, and execute the overall fundraising strategy to include corporate sponsors, table sales, nonprofit/partner organizational support, raffle, and ticket sales.
  • Manage both Board and staff fundraising efforts and
  • Recruit and build ongoing relationships with The Working Lunch Table Leaders and other volunteers.

• Work with Board members to help them fulfill their development
• Collaborate with the President and CEO to officially launch the Fundraising Committee for the Board of Directors, a newly created standing Board Committee.
• Prepare and present development reports, including plans, accomplishments, and challenges at Board meetings.

• Oversee ongoing communication, cultivation, and stewardship of diverse donor audiences, including donor acknowledgments, pledge reminders, monthly giving confirmations, thank you calls, Website pages, responding to donor inquiries, etc.
• Oversee management and strengthening of development processes and systems, including recordkeeping, gift acknowledgments, renewals, mailings and
• Create monthly gift reports and other statistical reports regarding the major gift program.
• Ensure the accuracy and reliability of information entered in the donor database. Manage Advancement Coordinator’s daily use of database systems and donor acknowledgements.
• Supervise development staff, using strengths-based professional development and The Management Center Managing to Change the World
• Provide equitable guidance, leadership, and direction by establishing priorities and performance expectations.
• Foster an organization-wide culture of philanthropy. Support the President & CEO and staff in their fundraising responsibilities. Work effectively with high-level volunteers, including Board and committee members, to maximize their fundraising impacts Collaborate across all teams to enhance opportunities for synergy, ensure stewardship of institutional donors, and ensure effective use of statistical data.

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree.

• At least seven years of professional experience, with at least five years in fundraising, and three years of supervisory experience. Experience with fundraising for policy organizations preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to align strategies, tactics, and resources to achieve challenging fundraising goals.

• Proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with individual and corporate donors, board members, and volunteers.

• Excellent planning and project management

• Knowledge of local and national philanthropic landscape, and current practices, trends and issues in individual fundraising.

The Ideal Candidate:

• Would have demonstrated success in identifying, making asks and securing new individual and corporate gifts.
• Would have demonstrated experience in managing and implementing a successful, comprehensive fund development program, including preparing an annual development work plan and calendar to achieve goals.
• Would have proven leadership experience that drives results and cultivates a team dynamic of professional and personal growth, accountability, and strong relationships.
• Would have experience with
• Is a highly-organized self-starter with a strong level of intellectual curiosity and resilience, and is a creative and strategic thinker.
• Is collaborative, enjoys working across teams, and has a positive can-do
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment, operating with high expectations and exceptional attention to detail.
• Demonstrates mature judgment, a strong leadership acumen, and a high level of personal and professional integrity, trustworthiness and likeability.

This is a full-time, exempt position with a starting salary is $92,000 per year. Benefits include:

• Flexible work and condensed work schedules available.
• Hybrid work environment – Position may work primarily remotely; however, position is required to network and attend partner/donor events, in person donor meetings and site-visits, and be in the office for new staff on-boarding, quarterly staff meetings and occasionally for other essential duties as required.
• Group medical (PPO, Limited PPO, or HMO) for the employee (85%-95% coverage) and dependents (60% coverage).
• Group dental available for employee and dependents.
• Group life insurance and long-term disability insurance for staff covered 100% by WE.
• Access to 403(b) retirement plan upon hire and 401(k) retirement plan after one year.
• Vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay (including floating holidays) available as accrued.
• Paid parental leave.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which allows for limited free supportive services (counseling, financial planning, etc.) for staff and dependents.

Women Employed is an equal opportunity employer.