Managing Director of Development, Roosevelt Institute

Roosevelt Institute•Washington, DC

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Roosevelt Institute is seeking a Managing Director of Development to lead fundraising strategy for its think tank, people development programs, and Roosevelt Forward. This role will primarily focus on building a robust major individual giving program from the ground up, aiming to grow individual giving from 5% to 25% of annual income ($5 million annually) within three to five years. The position also involves strategic oversight of institutional/foundation fundraising and managing a four-person development team. The Roosevelt Institute is dedicated to addressing public policy challenges through research and policy ideas, aiming for a more resilient, equitable, and green future by restructuring markets, transforming corporations, reviving democratic institutions, and reimagining the role of government. The organization focuses on corporate and public power, labor and wages, and the economics of race and gender inequality.

Requirements

Minimum of 8–10 years of experience in fundraising for nonprofit organizations.
Experience building, or substantially growing, an individual giving program, ideally including cultivation of political donors.
Experience managing and supporting staff from a diversity of backgrounds and levels.
Understanding of the philanthropic and political environment, best practices in fundraising, and the field in which Roosevelt works.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Proven experience managing, prioritizing, and meeting multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to present complex programmatic strategies and activities in approachable messaging tailored to specific funder audiences.
Strong organization skills, including outstanding attention to detail.
Experience using donor databases like Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, etc.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with the progressive policy ecosystem strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead fundraising strategy for the Roosevelt Institute’s think tank and people development programs, and Roosevelt Forward.
Build and expand a robust major individual giving program, including prospect research, moves management, solicitation, and stewardship.
Provide strategic oversight of institutional/foundation fundraising.
Manage and continuously build a robust pipeline of donors and prospects.
Cultivate and manage relationships with funders.
Manage the development team toward excellent grant writing, project management, and stewardship.
Partner with organizational leadership and program staff on new program development and strategy.
Develop and drive a comprehensive donor engagement strategy.
Directly cultivate and manage a portfolio of major individual and donor prospects.
Manage the Donor Engagement Manager in growing Roosevelt’s existing mid-level giving pipeline.
Oversee Roosevelt’s foundation relations function.
Engage Roosevelt’s program and communications teams to identify opportunities to engage donors and prospects.
Coordinate with the Managing Director of Library Philanthropy for the FDR Presidential Library and Museum.
Keep abreast of current events related to Roosevelt’s work on political economy.
Manage the team toward excellence, including guiding and mentoring staff, promoting a collaborative team culture, and hiring/onboarding new talent.