Director of Development and Communications

Management Information Exchange•Philadelphia, PA

34d

About The Position

The Director of Development and Communications position is an ideal opportunity for an experienced fundraising professional who possesses a passion for public service, an interest in working in an intellectually stimulating environment, a track record of raising significant gifts across a variety of funding sectors, and a demonstrated ability to effectively manage direct reports and lead a team. The Director of Development and Communications position at the Public Interest Law Center offers the opportunity to work with an engaged and loyal base of supporters - including individuals, law firms, corporations, and foundations - and a robust roster of identified potential prospects, ensuring a dynamic pipeline for ongoing fundraising activity. At the same time, the Law Center's mission speaks directly to current governmental policy changes affecting civil, social, and economic justice and, as a leader in the public interest law field, the Law Center is optimally positioned to attract the attention of new donors and funders. This position is an excellent opportunity to be part of a team of dedicated, ambitious,passionate individuals, including a staff of 15, an outstanding Board of Directors, and a roster of remarkable volunteers. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Director of Development and Communications (the Director), is responsible for the overall conceptualization, planning, and execution of a coordinated program of fundraising and constituentmunications for the Public Interest Law Center. The Director is responsible for an annual department goal of over $2 million. The Director will oversee themunications strategy and the implementation of an annualmunications plan and will prioritize fundraising activity day-to-day with a focus on securing significant gifts from individuals, law firms, and corporations, and stewarding Board and select foundation relationships. The Director is also responsible for supporting the Executive Director and the Board in their respective fundraising roles. The Director serves as an integral member of the senior leadership team and plays a key role in settinganizational priorities and strategies. Duties also include supervision, mentoring, and professional development of a team of three staff members who work on annual fundraising programs, grants, events,munications, and database operations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and 7 to 10 years of successful fund-raising experience, including a proven record of success in securing major gifts with increasingly responsible fund-raising duties, or equivalentbination of education and experience, is required.
Familiarity and appreciation of the role and mission of the Public Interest Law Center as well as understanding the importance of public interest law; a demonstratedmitment to social justice; and capacity to articulate the mission and interactfortably with those individuals and constituency groups crucial to the advancement of the Law Center.
Demonstrated track record in the identification, cultivation and stewardship of major gifts and grants.
Strong leadership, management, and program administration skills and the ability to establish objectives, set performance standards, andanize and motivate staff and volunteers to achieve fund-raising goals.
Strong written and oralmunication skills.
Adaptability, flexibility and diplomacy.
High motivation and a capacity for important work within the context of a goal-driven environment.
A demonstrated ability to analyze potential funding sources and develop strategies to bring closure to gift and grant opportunities is required.
Ability to function well independently, while participating in and contributing to a total team effort.
Some local/regional travel and evening work required.

Nice To Haves

CFRE preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead a coordinated andprehensive Development and Communications department that includes:
managing staff and budgets
creating and maintaining aprehensive annual development plan
providing data driven metrics to maintain and analyze progress in support of annual goals
developing effective cases for support foranizational priorities
building meaningful Development Committee and donor engagement opportunities
overseeing a broad-based annual giving program
overseeing a robust grant program
conceptualizing development events and visibility opportunities in support of strategic initiatives
planning and executing specialmunications initiatives and fundraising campaigns as needed
The Director creates and implements an annual work plan epassing the following areas:
Prospect Management: Manages a portfolio of 100 - 125 top prospects to include individual donors, law firm/corporate funders, and a rolling pipeline of prospective major donors. A select number of foundation relationships will also reside in the Director's portfolio.
Leadership Support: Staffs the Executive Director on their assigned prospects. Staffs the Development Committee of the Board.
Departmental Management: Supervises three full-time Development and Communications team members, including mentoring/training and collaborating as needed, oversight of the planning and implementation of the annual fundraising event, and annual work plans for each team member. Supervises and mentors the Development and Communications staff to sustain the successful achievement of departmental and individual goals, a strong team culture and further professionally develop individual staff members.
Organizational Leadership: Partners with management team to develop the contributed revenue goal and fundraising-related expenses for the annualanizational budget. Works closely with Director of Operations to reconcile financial reports. Serves as a strategic thought leader in setting and operationalizinganizational priorities.