The Alliance for Youth Action (along with our sister 501(c)(3) organization the Alliance for Youth Organizing) is searching for a Development Director who will be a leader in the Alliance’s Development Department and work alongside the Vice President of Development to both develop and maintain a well-functioning development plan. The Development Director will lead a growing development team and help raise national resources so that our network of progressive youth-led organizations is able to throw down and win in 2024 and beyond.
About the Alliance for Youth Action
The Alliance convenes, supports, and scales a national network of youth-led, locally rooted organizations growing civic engagement and social justice coast to coast. We truly are a multiracial network “of young people, by young people, for all people.” Our Affiliates and Partners run massive voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives, train new young leaders and run powerful campaigns to win on the progressive issues our generation cares about most. Our national team empowers this work by tracking down national resources for the network, building capacity for local groups, seeding new efforts, and coordinating national issue campaigns.
Job Responsibilities
Key responsibilities of this position include:
Development Planning & Management
- Oversee management of effective grant and revenue tracking systems to ensure systems are accessible for staff across teams and institutional knowledge is retained.
- Own, manage and grow a select portfolio of individual donors, institutional funders, and prospects.
- Serve as the liaison to the Finance Department, ensuring grant proposal budgets and financial reports are accurate and meet funder deadlines.
- Oversee the management of and assist with writing, editing, and reviewing donor and funder communications, grant reports, and proposals to ensure they effectively communicate the Alliance’s and Network’s mission, work, and impact.
- As needed, represent the Alliance at conferences, donor meetings, and other philanthropic events/meetings.
People Management
- Oversee two Development Department (Development and Grants Manager + Development and Individual Giving Manager) staff to develop and reach goals outlined in the strategic plan, annual work plan, and budgeting process to support the capacity of local network organizations to design, launch, and scale successful campaigns.
- Support and coach Alliance staff to help build sustainable solutions for issues facing network organizations, including creating pathways for network organizations to implement those solutions.
- Guide the professional development of team members by identifying opportunities to grow their individual skills and abilities.
- Work with the Vice President of Development to create and implement management processes that maximize our capacity and streamline our development processes.
- Accountable for team members’ results, performance, standards, and goals and supporting an environment of creativity and innovation that ultimately impact organization-wide initiatives.
Key Qualifications & Experience
We’re looking for candidates with particular strengths in the following areas:
- Fundraising Experience
- 3-5 years of experience and track record of leading a robust and complex fundraising operation. Direct experience with and knowledge of the full development spectrum, including planned giving, major gifts, institutional fundraising, stewardship, online fundraising, and partnerships.
- Experience in securing support for 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations
- Proven ability to personally cultivate, solicit, and steward individual and foundation donors at five to seven-figure levels
- Excellent writing and presentation skills and experience with framing concepts for a philanthropic audience.
- Demonstrated excellence in organizational, communication, and managerial skills, working across several teams to source information, juggling competing deadlines, and being able to reprioritize tasks when needed quickly.
- Critical Thinking and Strategy
- A self-starter with a strong initiative who – beyond directing current systems – has the willingness to identify additional processes that could be streamlined and the skills to realize that vision
- Willingness and excitement to think outside the box to ensure organizational values – especially those related to diversity, equity, and inclusion – are reflected in operations work.
- Know when to answer the question someone meant to ask rather than the one they did
- Baseline Expectations
- Believe in Youth Organizing as a vehicle for change
- Understanding of power, racial, LGBTQ+, economic, and gender justice and how they intersect
- Commitment to equity and inclusion as organizational practice and culture
- Proficiency in Excel and/or Google Sheets
- Proficiency in Google Suite, Project Management Software, and Slack
- Excellent interpersonal skills and patience
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Comfortability with technology and virtual communication systems, including Zoom, Google Hangouts, etc.
Nice to Haves
- Electoral campaign experience
- Experience working in and raising money in an organization with an affiliated network structure
Logistics
- Compensation: $81,800-$106,400 per year commensurate with experience.
- Benefits: The Alliance offers a competitive benefits package covering 100% of employee medical, dental, & vision insurance premiums, 75% of premiums for employee dependents, employer retirement contributions (SEP IRA), life insurance, short and long-term disability income protection insurance, cell phone stipend, Wi-Fi stipend, WMATA transportation smart benefits, professional development opportunities, a generous paid time off policy, and up to 16 weeks of paid family and medical leave.
- Location: This is a full-time position, preferably based in the Washington, DC area. In 2023, all Alliance staff are permitted to work remotely from DC, CO, IL, MD, MN, MT, NY, OR, TX, VA, or WI. By January 1, 2024, all Alliance staff will be required to live within about an hour from major airports in most US states; more detail will be provided to finalists regarding this in-development policy. Other states besides those listed will be assessed based on internal capacity.
Travel: Domestic travel for this role may be up to 20% of this position. Must be willing to work long, irregular hours periodically and travel as needed.
Equal Opportunity
The Alliance for Youth Action is an equal-opportunity employer committed to a diverse work environment. People of color, people with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual orientations, gender expressions, and identities are encouraged to apply.
To Apply
Please fill out this form, and submit a single pdf document including the following:
- Two paragraphs or less explaining why you want this position and what makes you a strong candidate (please prioritize content over formality)
- Resume
- Three references (we will reach out to you first before contacting them)
Please reach out to dakota@allianceforyouthaction.org with any questions.
The priority deadline to apply is March 17, 2023