The Chief Development Officer (CDO) will play an integral role in creating and executing a comprehensive development plan to elevate Issue One’s fundraising efforts. The CDO will closely partner with the CEO to cultivate and solicit major donors while managing a small team of development professionals.
Key Responsibilities
The CDO will lead the process of taking Issue One to higher levels of fundraising success by:
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Working closely with executive and Board leadership to develop and implement a comprehensive development plan to meet or exceed Issue One’s annual and project-specific fundraising goals.
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Serving as the principal gift officer working closely with the CEO on his portfolio of Issue One’s critical prospective donors.
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Designing a program to identify, cultivate, solicit, and provide donor stewardship strategies for their own prospective major donors and assessing and making recommendations around additional investments necessary to maximize philanthropic support.
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Serving as the Board liaison for fundraising, including building a functional development committee that will grow in the coming years.
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Leveraging the involvement of various committees and task forces for fundraising purposes.
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Developing internal partnerships with program staff designed to involve them in fundraising efforts appropriately.
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Creating a coordinated communications strategy with the Communications Director on marketing materials and proposals to ensure consistent quality and accurate messaging.
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Managing, motivating, and supervising an evolving staff of three and providing ongoing counsel related to strategic investments in the program to produce a return on investment within industry norms.
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Implementing donor stewardship programs designed to demonstrate donor impact.
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Ensuring that back office systems are highly functional and accurate to ensure extraordinary donor experiences.
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Managing an overall development budget in partnership with the COO.
Key Attributes and Qualifications
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Ten-plus years of growing fundraising leadership experience
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Proven success in front-line fundraising, working with high-net-worth individuals and foundations
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Knowledge of the money in politics and government ethics reform movement is ideal
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Excellent writing skills and demonstrated success in proposal development
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Superb communication and presentation skills
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Ability to synthesize complexity, make informed decisions, and develop strategic alternatives that help create solutions in sometimes ambiguous and fast-moving environments
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Outstanding organizational and project management skills with an appreciation for high-level execution and superb attention to detail
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Entrepreneurialism and resourcefulness, with the ability to deliver results in a rapidly growing, deadline-driven, and dynamic environment
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Team-oriented and collaborative; flexibility and adaptability to modify plans in line with shifting priorities
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Demonstrated experience building functions/businesses from the ground up and the proven ability to maintain optimism and passion for strengthening our democracy.
Benefits
Issue One has developed a comprehensive benefits package that invests in our staff to improve their health and promote a solid work-life balance.
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All full-time employees are eligible for a platinum health plan with 100% of the premium paid by Issue One. In addition, the organization covers 75% of the premium for all spouses and dependents of IO staff.
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Staff receives over 50 paid days off annually, including holidays, vacation, personal time, and office-wide closures.
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Issue One provides reimbursements and stipends for internet and commuting and promotes a hybrid work environment that allows for working from home but establishes regular in-person office opportunities twice a week (if located in or around DC).
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Issue One offers wellness reimbursements and student loan assistance. In addition, all staff are encouraged to participate in professional development throughout the year, and the organization hosts several opportunities for team building and fun.
Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $191,000 - $229,000. Salary is commensurate with experience and must align with Issue One’s compensation philosophy.