The Director of Development will report to the Executive Director and be an experienced, energetic, and forward-thinking leader who will be the Aspire’s principal fundraiser and grant writer. They will be supported in this work by the Co-founders, the Executive Director, the Communications and Marketing Manager and the Finance Director.
Work Expectation:
40 hours per week with occasional additional hours required in a fast pace, start-up environment. Staff typically work remotely Monday and Friday and at Aspire’s office in Cambridge, MA Tuesday – Thursday.
Responsibilities:
- Plan, manage, and execute all aspects of development efforts to achieve Aspire’s strategic plan.
- Work closely with senior management to develop both short and long-term fundraising goals and strategies.
- Work with staff to develop and implement a cohesive communications plan to support the fundraising plan
- Establish specific activity goals for all phases of the donor/prospect life-cycle (cultivation, solicitation, closure and stewardship).
- Maintains a significant portfolio of leadership and principal gift prospects.
- Participate in the development of strategy and content for all development publications and events.
- May perform other duties as assigned.
- Nurture a culture of philanthropy and relationship building in collaboration with the Executive Director and Co-founders
- Implement a program of engagement and cultivation that strengthens the Aspire’s relationships with donors and foundations, which deepens their engagement.
- Research and apply for grants to support Aspire’s programs and students.
- Assist the Executive Director with grant reports as needed.
- Prepare regular communication materials on Aspire’s progress to share with current donors and grantors.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree and 5-7 years of related work experience at a non-profit with significant major gifts or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Demonstrated ability building and maintaining long-term donor relationships.
- Advanced understanding of and familiarization with donor management systems.
- Demonstrated ability cultivating and soliciting and maximizing gifts from major and principal-gift donors.
- Demonstrated ability using analytical tools to plan, measure, and evaluate the effectiveness of fundraising programs.
- Proven ability to lead staff and volunteers toward shared objectives in a complex and dynamic environment.
- A record of accomplishment of effective collaboration across traditional boundaries and roles.
- Demonstrated ability synthesizing and prioritizing information from a wide array of sources while maintaining attention to detail and effectively managing overall workflow.
- A successful track record of interacting with donors, foundations, volunteers and colleagues at the highest level.
Additional Qualifications:
- Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to work collaboratively with a diverse team.
- Ability to work independently and take initiative in a fast pace, start-up environment with multiple tasks and projects.
- Advanced problem-solving skills.
- Excellent active listening, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Legal authorization to work in the United States.
Compensation:
Aspire offers a competitive salary; paid vacation, illness and personal time off; health insurance; life and ADD insurance and a 403b retirement investment plan.
Application Process:
Interested applicants can send their resumes with a cover letter to careers@aspireleaders.org with the subject line “Aspire Institute Director of Development.”
