Managing Director, Development

Teach For America•Goshen, CT

About The Position

All prospect & donor management roles on Field Fundraising teams are responsible for cultivating, stewarding, and managing a portfolio of donors in our local communities who share our commitment to ensuring that all children have access to an equitable and excellent education. As a member of the Field Fundraising team and the lead fundraiser for TFA’s Connecticut Region, you will be a part of a team-based effort charged with developing and executing on a long-term vision and strategy to achieve our development goals for both public and private funding. In your role, you will partner with the Connecticut Executive Director, regional advisory board members, and other front-line fundraisers to maximize giving, playing a key role in new donor strategy and acquisition over the next 3-5 years. Reporting to the VP, Field Fundraising, you will be charged with setting the vision and strategies to raise $3 million or more from a portfolio of donors who have the capacity and/or typically give $10,000 or more annually. You will work directly with the Executive Director to cultivate and steward your portfolio of donors, and in some circumstances, you may also be the primary solicitor. We are looking for a specialist in fundraising and development who - in partnership with the Executive Director and the Vice President, Field Fundraising - can independently develop and execute the strategy to acquire, cultivate, retain, and diversify your portfolio of private donors.

Requirements

Relationship Building and Management Highly skilled relationship builder, particularly with external prospects and donors
Build and execute comprehensive relationship management plans across a portfolio of donors
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Specialize in best practices of development and fundraising
Track record of successfully navigating complex philanthropic landscapes to reach revenue goals
Experience stewarding a diverse portfolio of donors/funders from various funding streams
Leverage historical local development trends in order to set strategy and/or adjust course as necessary
Set vision and direction for a specific portfolio of local donors and independently execute on that strategy in service of maximizing revenue to Teach For America as an enterprise
Monitor progress against the portfolio to ensure continuous donor stewardship
At least 7+ years of related experience in development and fundraising context
Track record of meeting and exceeding ambitious goals as a donor portfolio manager
Bachelor’s Degree

Nice To Haves

Fundraising certification (i.e. CRFE/CRFM or the equivalent) and/or related Master’s Degree (e.g. MBA, M, Non-Profit Management)
Experience cultivating and expanding new fundraising markets and revenue
Knowledge and experience in the Connecticut fundraising landscape

Responsibilities

Directly grow, cultivate, and steward a portfolio of private donors with a focus on relationship depth and revenue generation.
Deepen trust-based relationships with prospects and donors that drive increased giving overtime.
Support and activate the ED in advancing top-tier donor relationships and closing major gifts.
Serve as a trusted advisor and true thought leader to the Executive Director, helping drive fundraising strategy, execution, and board engagement.
Manage up effectively - to align on strategy and ensure the ED is prepared, and positioned for high impact engagements.
Support management of the Connecticut Advisory Board, including meeting preparation, member cultivation, and enabling board members in their fundraising efforts.
Set and drive a clear fundraising strategy in close collaboration with the Executive Director and VPFF to maximize revenue and portfolio performance.
Translate regional priorities into a focused donor strategy & plan.
Proactively guide priorities, bringing recommendations and clarity to the ED.
Identify opportunities to strengthen pipeline, engagement, and overall portfolio health.
Manage and develop the development team, ensuring strong execution across the full portfolio
Provide clear direction, coaching and accountability for individual and team fundraising goals.
Maintain accurate record in Salesforce
Leverage systems and data to track progress, inform strategy, and adjust approach.