Associate Director, Development

The Associate Director of Development is a member of the development team supporting the planning and execution of the organization’s strategic fundraising efforts and goals. The successful candidate will have a proven track record as a frontline fundraiser, excellent communication and relationship-building skills, and the ability to translate program and policy efforts into compelling fundable proposals alongside stewarding existing fundraising relationships. This role reports to the Vice President of Development.

Fundraising & Stewardship (50%)

• Support the fundraising activities of Economic Security Project (ESP) & Economic Security Project Action (ESPA) to secure $17 Million on an annual basis through the management of a portfolio of institutional donors and prospects at the five to seven-figure level.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with current and potential donors, including developing personalized cultivation strategies for institutional and individual donors.
• Translate organization and program-specific objectives into successful funder concept notes and proposals.
• Prepare donor materials, including but not limited to proposals, letters of inquiry, grant reports, agreements, emails, presentations, and acknowledgment letters. This includes drafting original copy, editing, and formatting as needed.
• Partner internally with senior staff and executive leadership to prepare and land funder strategies, pitches, and follow-ups.
• Serve as a point-of-contact between ESP/ESPA alongside the Executive team and program leads with funders.
• Work with the Vice President of Development to implement strategies and activities to increase cross-fundraising efforts and increase the level of funding from existing institutional and individual donors that align with the organization’s issue areas and minimize restrictions.
• Support in the execution of funder events and activities including funder briefings, meetings, and events.

Organizational Development and Administration (30% )

• Track and manage all proposal and grant requirements, deadlines, communications, and follow-ups in ESP/ESPA’s CRM platform.
• Ensure CRM is accurate and has up-to-date records of donor interactions.
• Analyze fundraising data to identify trends, measure campaign effectiveness, and inform future strategies.
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure alignment and integration of fundraising efforts with overall organizational objectives.
• Support funder communication efforts, including but not limited to building and reviewing outreach lists and drafting content.
• Perform other duties as assigned or needed to advance ESP/ESPA fundraising strategy, goals, and objectives.

Strategic Planning (20%)

• Serve as a partner and collaborator to the Vice President of Development and Director of Development in implementing a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with the organization's goals for their identified portfolio of institutional and individual donors
• Conduct thorough research to: identify new potential funding sources and opportunities and/or identify the interests of specific institutional funders.
• Maintain updated knowledge of philanthropic trends and recent giving of institutional and individual donors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or equivalent additional experience
• Six plus years of frontline fundraising experience, with a proven track record of working directly with: high net worth individuals, foundation and/or labor and corporate donors or comparable work within development/fundraising/philanthropy is required, preferably at a nonprofit advocacy or policy-oriented organization.
• Proven track record in overseeing a portfolio of institutional donors securing six-to-seven-figure gifts.
• Established expertise in skillfully securing and renewing funding from a wide array of multi-channel sources by crafting compelling cases for support via a range of communication approaches including grant proposals, reports, budget documents, and both verbal and visual presentations, and other strategies.
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and highly aware of the importance of honoring racial, ethnic, sexual, gender, religious, and cultural identities.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills; able to work with cross-functional teams and lead through influence.
• Flexible and adaptable; able to multitask in a dynamic environment with evolving priorities.
• Highly developed problem-solving and organizational skills, project management, and attention to detail.
• Effective written and verbal communication.
• Robust analytical and prospect research capabilities.
• Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team.
• Knowledge of the CRM database: SalesForce.
• Passion for ESP/ESPA’s mission and commitment to a progressive economic justice movement.

Preferred Attributes & Skills:

• Proven knowledge of various progressive philanthropic sectors, including economic justice, racial equity and justice, health, education, and climate, is desirable.
• Familiarity with 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) regulations is a plus.