Development Director - Sister District Project Inc.

Overview:

The Development Director is a key leadership position reporting directly to the Executive Director. The Development Director will be responsible for leading the organization's fundraising strategy. The organization consists of Sister District Project (PAC, 527), Sister District Action Network (501(c)(4)), and Sister District Education Fund (fiscally sponsored 501(c)(3)). The Development Director will hire their direct report, a Development Manager, to support this work. The Development Director should expect to travel up to 20% of the time.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Organizational Fundraising Strategy (15%)

• Assess and update Sister District's multi-year fundraising strategy to identify priorities and opportunities for improvements to ensure that the organization has the resources it needs to fulfill its mission.
• Work with the Executive Director to identify short-term and long-term revenue needs, set revenue goals, and determine key fundraising tactics.
• Develop, lead and manage the execution of the fundraising strategy, including major gifts, events, and grant writing. Collaborate with the Digital Department, which oversees the organization's grassroots fundraising strategy.
• Provide regular updates to the Executive Director on fundraising progress and challenges and make recommendations for course correction as needed.

2. Major Donor Cultivation & Engagement (55%)

• Develop and implement programs and strategies for identifying, cultivating, and retaining major gift donors, providing creative thought-partnership about how to engage donors and prospective donors in Sister District's work.
• Work with the Executive Director to build and strengthen relationships with donors and donor prospects, and provide the Executive Director materials for donor meetings as needed.
• Develop fundraising messages and oversee creation of materials and communications to promote the organization to donors, including tailored proposals aligning with donors' interests.
• Leverage existing relationships, as well as develop new relationships, with individual donors through personalized engagement and stewardship activities, such as one-on-one meetings, cultivation events, and recognition programs.
• Represent the organization at events, conferences, and other forums to enhance the organization's visibility and influence.

3. Grant Writing & Management (5%)

• Lead grant writing, submissions, and reporting processes, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and funder priorities.
• Identify and research new grant opportunities, collaborating with other departments to craft compelling proposals and budgets.
• Manage grant compliance and financial tracking, maintaining strong relationships with funders through regular updates and reporting.

4. Staff Management (10%)

• Build and manage a high-performing Development Department that is aligned with the organization's mission, values, and strategic priorities.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to development staff.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning within the Development Department.

5. Data Infrastructure (10%)

• Assess and improve donor relationship management tools and processes to support development operations, including gift processing, database management, and reporting.
• Identify and implement technology solutions to support fundraising and development operations, analyze fundraising trends, and to enhance donor engagement and stewardship.

6. Leadership Team (5%)

• Serve as a key member of the leadership team, working collaboratively with the Executive Director and other senior leaders to implement the organization's strategic plan and vision.
• Lead the annual planning process for the Development Department.

Must Haves:

• A demonstrated passion for Sister District's mission.
• At least 5-7 years of increasing responsibility in fundraising, with a track record of securing significant gifts from individuals, organizations, or foundations.
• Exceptional time management and organizational skills, with the ability to achieve strategic goals while maintaining a high level of attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to draft persuasive materials about the organization's work to a variety of stakeholders, including donors, volunteers, and partner organizations.
• Experience with managing relationships with $10,000+ donors.
• Demonstrated success in staff management and mentorship, with a commitment to creating a positive and inclusive work culture that fosters professional growth and development.

Strongly Prefer:

• Existing relationships with high net worth donors.
• Experience developing and executing successful fundraising events.
• Experience with grant writing and securing funding from foundations.
• Prior experience in public speaking and external relations.
• Prior experience creating multi-year fundraising plans.
• Familiarity with commonly used donor relationship management tools and software.
• Experience collaborating across teams and working with a principal.

Position and Pay: This is a full time, exempt, remote position, that can be fulfilled from anywhere in the United States. Preference will be given to candidates in California, New York, Colorado and Virginia. The salary range is $125,000 - $150,000 We will also consider Senior Director-level candidates who have 7+ years of fundraising experience. The salary range for that position is $150,000-$165,000. The expectation is not for new team members to be hired with a starting salary at the top of the band, but to have a salary that adequately compensates experience and expertise while countering pay inequality and upholding internal parity.

Application requirements: Resume and Cover Letter

Start Date: We are looking to fill this position immediately. Applications will be reviewed in early January.

Generous Benefits Package Includes:

• Employer sponsored health insurance plan with 100% premium paid by Sister District
• 401k plan
• Cell Phone/Internet Reimbursement up to $100 per month
• Home Office Reimbursement
• Professional Development Reimbursement
• Generous Family Leave
• Opportunity for Spot and End of Year Bonuses
• Flexible PTO
• 25 Organization-wide holidays including the week of Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas and New Years Day.

ABOUT SISTER DISTRICT

The Organization

Since launching in the wake of the 2016 elections, Sister District has grown to a community of more than 90,000 people across the country. We have endorsed candidates in 177 races across 18 states, 115 of whom have won. We have raised more than $5.3 million in small-dollar donations directly for our candidates and state-based partners. Our organizing efforts have reached more than 4.1 million voters through phones, texts, postcards, and door knocks. We also partner deeply with our campaigns to provide professional training and guidance to help candidates and staff build robust, data-driven campaigns.

Sister District not only helps to win urgent elections each year, but also builds Democratic infrastructure for the long term. We do this by training newly elected legislators and former candidates, conducting academic-quality civic research, raising awareness about the importance of state legislatures, supporting community-based organizations, and more.

We are open to applicants of all genders, and we are proud to be an organization founded and led by women, including women of color.