As the Managing Director of Development, you will form and shape a diverse coalition of supporters to join the effort to ensure that all children in our state have the opportunity to attain an excellent education. Your work to channel the energy and funding of philanthropy to solve the problem of education inequity has a direct and measurable impact on the opportunities all students have to flourish in Connecticut. Over the next 5 years, you will lead the team to raise nearly $30 million in revenue. You will set a bold vision and forge strong and dynamic relationships with public and private partners to position Teach For America – Connecticut as a thriving and enduring institution in the state whose impact and members are driving change across the system to improve outcomes for kids.
You are highly ambitious, are a compelling communicator, and have a track record of influencing others to outcomes through forming strong and lasting relationships. You are inspired to partner with the Regional Advisory Board and the local Alumni Network to develop innovative approaches to bring people together to support our mission and create change. You directly manage the Director of Corporate Foundations Relations and Manager of Development. You report to the Executive Director. During your first six months in the role, you will have access to an external development consultant to coach and support you as you onboard, engage with current funders, and create a long-term plan.
- Create the long–term regional development vision and annual strategic and operating plans for all donor streams to raise $5MM in revenue in FY20 and approximately $30MM over the next five years
- Set ambitious yet feasible revenue, donor retention and acquisition benchmarks to achieve both immediate (current fiscal year) and long-term (next 3-5 years) development goals
- Strategically broaden and diversify our fundraising base to promote long-term organizational sustainability
- Cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of donors through meetings, events, and sharing compelling stories of impact and opportunity
- Design a stewardship strategy to maintain strong connections and ongoing communication with existing donors and consistently engage new prospects
- Set vision, strategy, and then manage production of annual fall fundraising event in Greenwich, Connecticut
- Directly manage two full-time staff members and support their professional development and growth through providing regular feedback, meeting weekly to track progress-to-goal, and serving as a thought-partner and coach
- Regularly assess team-wide progress to goals, identifying what is driving and impeding progress and developing strategies to expand opportunities and overcoming barriers
- Prioritize the right actions for the Executive Director to take in order to cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and prospects and prepare/support ED to execute
- Suggest and agree upon the strategic ways that best leverage the ED’s time and talent with regards to fundraising
- Collaborate with the Executive Director to prepare for and participate in board meetings, lead board members on development specific projects or activities, and communicate with board members as needed
- Take on special projects at the direction of the Executive Director to maximize results and organizational impact
- 6+ years of previous work experience preferred; previous experience working for a non-profit or in education preferred
Work Demands
- Work from Teach For America’s New Haven Regional Office at least two days per week
- Willing and able to travel across state to meet with prospective and current supporters as well as Advisory Board Members
- Willing and able to work some early mornings, evenings or weekends as needed
- Willing and able to travel regionally and/or nationally 2-3 times per year for professional development purposes
Skills
- Uncommon level of personal responsibility with exceptional goal orientation and a proven track record of success
- Demonstrated ability to both motivate and manage superiors, peers, and direct reports to achieve ambitious, measurable results
- Exceptional strategic and critical thinking skills
- Experience representing organizational missions and goals to external parties
- Ability to build strong relationships with varying constituencies, even in challenging situations (including regional board members, funders, vendors, etc.)
- Ability to deeply understand the motivations of donors, corps members, alumni, and external partners and compel them to take action
- Able to use data and sound judgment to solve complex problems and prioritize action
- Able to work across multiple stakeholders on critical, time-sensitive projects
- Strong verbal and written communicator: can speak compellingly about our organization, mission, and goals and has a mature presence