Director of Member Engagement & Network Development

The Director of Member Engagement & Network Development will play an integral role in the PACE team, leading efforts to strengthen relationships across the PACE network and within the democracy philanthropy ecosystem. This role focuses on expanding the PACE network, stewarding existing relationships, enhancing connectivity and collaboration amongst PACE members, supporting fundraising, and organizing impactful member experiences.

This position is critical to providing valuable support to PACE members and increasing their participation. The Director designs engagement experiences to foster deeper peer-to-peer relationships and increase member involvement. The role collaborates closely with the President and CEO and other staff to ensure meaningful engagement and high-quality, timely support for members.

The Director will also spearhead PACE’s efforts to expand the pro-democracy movement by attracting non-traditional funders and strengthening ties with other philanthropy-serving organizations. This role will seek out partnerships and build coalitions, reflecting PACE’s belief in the power of collective action.

Finally, the Director will represent PACE as a thought leader in the democracy philanthropy field and stand in for the President and CEO when necessary. The Director will stay informed on trends in democracy philanthropy and the needs of PACE’s members, shaping the organization’s experiments, programmatic activities, communications, and member experiences.

The ideal candidate will have expertise in institutional philanthropy, a strong understanding of democracy philanthropy networks, and experience in building and nurturing diverse coalitions. This dynamic role requires an intuitive, proactive individual who can effectively shape engagement strategies and steward meaningful relationships to strengthen democracy and civic life in the U.S.

Key Responsibilities

Member Engagement and Supports

• Identify, recruit, onboard, and engage new members while nurturing existing relationships.
• Design and execute member meetings, funder briefings, and networking events in a range of formats.
• Develop inclusive agendas and curate engaging member experiences that create space for diverse perspectives, curiosity, and imagination and encourage joint exploration and experimentation.
• Partner with other PACE staff to enhance event visibility and knowledge-sharing.
• Capture key insights from events to inform PACE’s programming and broader civic philanthropy efforts.
• Utilize a membership management system to track member interests and conduct personalized outreach.
• Provide tailored support to ensure members have a positive and impactful experience within the network.

Network Development and Coalition Building

• Foster meaningful connections among members and the broader philanthropic ecosystem to advance shared goals and enhance collective impact.
• Build and maintain a robust network of non-traditional funders, key stakeholders, and philanthropy-serving organizations to expand the pro-democracy movement.
• Lead initiatives to develop strategic partnerships and enhance cross-sector collaboration.
• Monitor trends and emerging opportunities in democracy philanthropy to inform strategies and partnerships.

Representation and Fundraising

• Represent PACE in engagements with funders and external partners.
• Support grant writing and funder cultivation to secure resources for experiments and other initiatives.
• Develop proposals, reports, and funding strategies to advance PACE’s mission.
• Identify funding opportunities and engage potential donors.
• Track and evaluate experimental projects to inform strategic decisions.
• Provide strategic guidance on membership growth and network expansion.

Required:

• Expertise in Institutional Philanthropy: Experience working with foundations, philanthropic networks, or donor collaboratives.
• Knowledge of the Democracy Philanthropy Ecosystem: Understanding of funders, grantees, and issues shaping democracy funding.
• Strong Communication Skills: Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal abilities.
• Event Planning Experience: Proven success in organizing convenings and networking events.
• Fundraising & Grantwriting: Experience developing proposals and securing resources.
• Organizational Skills: Ability to manage multiple projects and execute strategic initiatives.
• Coalition Building & Network Development: Experience building and nurturing coalitions and building membership networks and other funder communities.

Preferred:

• Experience with CRM or membership management systems.
• Experience working remotely and in collaborative teams.
• Analytical skills to synthesize complex ideas into actionable steps.
• Ability to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into strategic planning and programming.

Why Join Us?

• Work at the intersection of philanthropy and democracy.
• Engage with a dynamic network committed to strengthening democracy and civic life at a pivotal moment in American history.
• Shape and strengthen a growing philanthropic community.
• Be part of a collaborative, innovative, and flexible team.

To Apply:

Please submit your resume and respond to the questions in this form. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Ideal start date in early May, 2025.