CEP(EF) Development Director

Development Director

About the Center for Empowered Politics (CEP) and CEP Education Fund

The Center for Empowered Politics and the sister organization the Center for Empowered Politics Education Fund​ builds movement ecosystem(s) of people of color-led grassroots organizations and community-based electoral organizations to deepen our experiments and sustain the long-term participation and leadership of working-class communities of color.

Our aim is to grow the power of our communities toward greater resilience and governing power through strategic partnerships and movement infrastructure. Our approach is practitioner-led, grounded in our experience as organizers, the needs of our communities, and the political imperative to scale up our power and impact.

Position Overview:

Work closely with the Center for Empowered Politics (CEP) / CEP Education Fund Executive Director on the strategy, design, implementation, and evaluation of resource mobilization efforts for CEP(EF) and related projects in our network. This includes a range of strategies from foundation fundraising, high net wealth donors, progressive fundraising networks, funder collaboratives, and earned revenue projects. This person will play a key role in building relationships and representing CEP(EF) externally with funders and donors. They will directly supervise the Development Manager.

Role and Responsibilities

Strategic Fundraising (75% time)

• Set development strategy: Partner with the Executive Director and the development team to create a strategic fund development plan to support multi-year and annual revenue goals in complement to budgetary projections. Develop new strategies to advance CEP(EF)’s fund development work.
• Mobilize resources: Lead and partner with the Executive Director in the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of foundation and major donor contributions. Be the primary relationship holder with select foundations and donors. Actively manage relationships with all funders, including processing requests, preparing staff for meetings, and following best practices.
• Build external relationships and represent the organization: Develop and maintain close working relationships with the philanthropic community and institutional donors. Serve as a visible spokesperson for CEP(EF) and participate in external opportunities such as conferences and speaking engagements.
• Materials and communications: Develop complex concept papers, grant proposals, and reports. Supervise all other grant writing and reporting to funders. Oversee design production and distribution of all development materials.
• Coordinate and strengthen a culture of resource mobilization throughout the organization: Coordinate development activities with other facets of the organization, particularly communications and finance. Engage and inspire staff in their role in fund development.
• Ensure effective data tracking and systems: Oversee the evaluation of systems to support development and inform data-driven planning. Ensure donor and gift record-keeping, processing and acknowledgement.
• Special projects: lead projects that are directly or indirectly related to fundraising. These areas could include: capacity building, movement infrastructure, or earned revenue. These areas will be determined based on the Director’s expertise, interests, and CEP(EF)’s needs.
• Collaborate with the Leadership Team on budget management & planning, participate in finance meetings as needed.

Team Management and Supervision (15%)

• Lead development team to set the strategy, priorities, goals, and work plans that align with our long term agenda and northstar.
• Supervise development team staff to advance our strategies and goals and support their growth, performance, and sustainability.
• Strengthen internal systems and processes to support the ongoing collaboration and coordination across multiple team members, consultants, and projects.

Organizational Leadership (10%)

• Participate in CEP/CEPEF staff and organization building, including team and relationship building spaces, strategy and workplan development, and alignment and learning across projects
• Design and facilitate multifaceted support to movement organizations to build capacity, infrastructure, strategy or organizational development around areas of expertise
• Support and participate in programs, committees, and organization-wide activities as needed

Key Qualifications

As a prerequisite, the successful candidate must believe in the core values of CEP and CEPEF and be driven by the mission. The candidate should demonstrate a passion for breaking new ground to lead social change.

Beyond that, we are seeking a candidate that has proven experience in:

• 5+ years of fundraising leadership in movement building organizations (grassroots, labor, or community organizing)
• Understanding and analysis of fundraising and movement landscapes in relation to power building organizations and electoral based groups.
• Rooted in an analysis of power and the role of basebuilding leadership development, campaigns, and civic engagement work in creating social change
• Excellent spoken and written communication, including the ability to write both quickly and compellingly.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills with the ability to engage with diverse audiences and communicate openly with coworkers, partners, and donors.
• Self-directed and able to design, launch, and manage projects across a range of organizations and sectors
• Advanced skills in project management, and coordination across multiple organizations and entities
• Experience with online tools for remote communication and project collaboration

Physical Demands

• Able to work on a computer, including sitting at a desk, for extended periods of time with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Manual dexterity to operate a keyboard and other equipment
• Able to see or read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids.
• Able to speak clearly and in audible tones on the phone and in person and be understood by others.
• Able to hear and understand speech at typical levels and on the telephone.
• Able to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Work Environment

• This is a remote role (preference for San Francisco Bay Area). Regardless of home location, employees should expect to attend in-person events in the Bay Area and other regions of the country approximately 6-10 times/year.

Compensation

This is an exempt position. The salary range for a full time employee working 40 hours/week is $105,000-$120,000 depending on experience. We offer a competitive health benefits package that includes: medical, dental, vision, and a generous paid time off schedule.

How to Apply

Submit resume, cover letter, references as a single document through this link. Applications will be reviewed as received.

The Center for Empowered Politics and Center for Empowered Politics Education Fund contracts with Resilient Strategies LLC for backend and operational support including hiring and employment. Resilient Strategies is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Folks who are queer, trans, non-binary, Black, Indigenous, people of color, disabled, parents, are/have been system-impacted, are immigrants, and anyone who has experienced systemic oppression and/or gender-based violence are encouraged to apply. Pursuant of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.