The National Director serves as the chief strategist for the organization’s high-value fundraising and will lead an ambitious growth plan for the Department. This will be accomplished by developing a robust donor advancement system and leading the team to implement it. This system will effectively identify and qualify prospective high-value supporters and cultivate fruitful, long-term relationships—through meaningful messaging and strategic stewardship and engagement—to secure the highest possible donations for Amnesty International USA’s work.
They will be responsible for overseeing, developing and integrating the following programs: Major Donors, Foundations, and Planned Giving. They will also work in close collaboration with other teams across the organization to ensure that campaign plans, budgets for fundraising and donor engagement opportunities are developed, prioritized and communicated in an organized and timely manner to supporters.
They will also serve on the Development Management Team along with other key Development managers. The management team will be responsible for overseeing and integrating all major aspects of development programs.
Finally, they will work in close collaboration with key fundraising staff from the International Secretariat and key stakeholders throughout the entire organization to identify opportunities to dramatically increase support for the global organization’s strategic priority work.
- Directly line manage the Directors of Development, Stewardship Specialist, Prospect Research Manager, Foundations Specialist and Development Associate, including assisting them in setting ambitious budget goals, short and long-term objectives to achieve goals, KPIs to track performance, oversight through weekly check-ins, and conducting annual performance reviews. Other supervisory skills include: hiring, feedback, coaching, staff development, orientation and training
- Provide guidance on expanding the universe of major donors, foundations, planned giving donors and international funders through a prospect research system throughout the Department. Work in collaboration with Wealth Engine representatives and Development staff to institute this.
- Personally manage a portfolio of between 20-30 high value active and prospective major donors, foundations and planned giving donors. In collaboration with program staff and the Executive, engagement will include phone conversations, in-person visits, and written communications, including letters of intent, proposals, reports, and informal updates (created in collaboration with program and stewardship staff).
- In collaboration with the Major Gifts team and Foundations Specialist, oversee the Executive Director’s portfolio of donors and check in weekly with her to provide strategic guidance in terms of moves management.
- Provide direction on developing and implementing a Stewardship and Engagement calendar for the Development Department. Partner with key programmatic staff and Stewardship staff to develop this system, including protocols for messaging and engagement outreach.
- In collaboration with the key programmatic staff and the Chief Financial Officer, develop a system for integrating departments around key campaign pushes, fundable opportunities, and donor engagement activities.
- Responsible for reviewing and tracking annual income and expenditure budgets and long-term forecasts for Major Gifts, Foundations, Planned Giving, and International Fundraising. Will prepare monthly, reports and financial analyses to share with other Development managers.
- Working in partnership with international fundraising teams and key global stakeholders, play a lead role in identifying areas for significant major gifts growth as well as factors for success that need to be addressed and provide recommendations.
- Along with the other members of the Development Management Team, develop a vision and direction for the Development Department. This will include creating and implementing a five-year ambitious growth plan and providing mentorship and guidance to Development managers to achieve desired goals. The management team will also be responsible for succession planning and providing opportunities for growth, further development and advancement of staff.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned
- At least ten years of proven success in major gifts or foundations fundraising (ideally for advocacy related issues), and at least five years in a management position.
- Experience in developing, monitoring and evaluating strategic advancement plans, and leading teams to successfully deliver on plans.
- Experience in personally soliciting and obtaining six- and seven-figure gifts and grants and of peer to peer/ volunteer-led major gift fundraising
- Experience of working with senior management, program staff and board members, and building support for fundraising internally
- International fundraising experience a plus.
Skills and Abilities:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills
- Strong staff management skills
- Strong organizational and project management skills,
- Team-building skills,
- Creative, flexible, responsible, and able to balance a variety of activities.
- Ability to set priorities,
- Ability to travel frequently
- Ability to work within deadlines.
- Commitment to the mission and work of Amnesty International