Senior Director of Development - American Institute of Physics

WHO WE ARE: 

The American Institute of Physics (AIP) is a federation of 10 Member Societies which together have nearly 120,000 members across the globe. Founded in 1931, AIP is a federation that advances the success of our Member Societies and an institute that engages in research and analysis to empower positive change in the physical sciences. Our overarching strategy is to advance the physical sciences with a unifying voice of strength from diversity.  We want you to become a part of our mission and join our dynamic team! 

SUMMARY: 

AIP is looking for a Senior Director of Development to join our Development & Grants Team.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Senior Director of Development will play a pivotal role in driving AIP’s fundraising efforts and setting the groundwork for long-term sustainability. This individual will collaborate with the ED by helping to manage and direct the fundraising efforts of the organization and operationalizing the strategy, ensuring that strategic priorities are delivered.

This individual will also partner with the Marketing and Communications team, Finance team, and program teams to develop collateral, budgets, proposals, and reports in support of grants and fundraising activities. This individual must be highly collaborative and work closely with AIP program teams, such as student programs, history programs and our capital campaign, TEAM-UP Together, to drive fundraising activity for those programs and develop and cultivate relationships with donors and prospects.

Managing an active portfolio of individuals, foundations and corporations, the Senior Director will fortify and expand AIP’s donor base by cultivating meaningful relationships and identifying new prospects. The Senior Director will strengthen revenue generation, enhance AIP processes and procedures, and foster long-term donor partnerships, all while promoting a culture of excellence and serving as a resource for the passionate development team to achieve ambitious multi-year goals.

Join our team of energized, charismatic, collaborative, and passionate individuals, and contribute to making a difference in the field of physical sciences!

WHAT YOU’LL DO: 

• Identify, qualify, visit, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors to raise major gifts for AIP in support of AIP programs and initiatives.
• Manage a portfolio of key relationships with 80+ prospects and donors with emphasis on gifts of $25,000 and above.
• Develop cultivation and solicitation strategies for current-use, multi-year, endowment, planned gifts, and sponsorships.
• Collaborate with Executive Director and colleagues to achieve annual fundraising and campaign goals.
• Collaborate with program teams and leadership to develop compelling funding opportunities for individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Work with the ED and Planned Giving Officer to seek bequests, trusts and other forms of estate gifts on behalf of AIP.
• Plan and go on fundraising trips with leadership, program directors and volunteer leaders (board members, committee members).
• Be a thought partner to the Executive Director in setting strategic priorities, building sustainability for AIP, and serving as a resource for the team.
• Work in concert with the Director of Prospect Research to support prospect identification and qualification.
• Use Blackbaud CRM as a tool to track donor engagement, update donor records and keep tasks organized.
• Assists the ED in the annual plan and budgeting process for the AIP, as appropriate.
• Support AIP’s strategic events and projects, as appropriate.
•  In collaboration with the AIP team, help build a culture of philanthropy at AIP.
• Cultivate strong donor relationships and deliver donor-centric solutions by understanding and anticipating the needs of multiple stakeholders. They will ensure the team meets high service standards, align business processes with customer needs, and provide clear guidance on balancing stakeholder interests while upholding ethical standards and modeling cross-cultural sensitivity.
• Serve as a role model, holding team members accountable for achieving goals, adhering to policies and procedures, and tracking team metrics and milestones. They will redirect efforts as needed to ensure continued progress.
• Develop personalized cultivation and solicitation strategies for potential major donors, aligning their philanthropic priorities with the organization's needs and opportunities.
• Embrace new opportunities and challenges with urgency, energy, and enthusiasm. They will encourage timely action and a positive attitude towards new challenges while actively seeking and securing new business opportunities.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING: 

• Bachelor's Degree required; Master’s Degree preferred.
• 10+ years’ experience in directly cultivating and soliciting major gifts with demonstrated success in closing major gifts.
• 10+ years’ experience in planning, leading, and managing development projects, including coordinating with program staff and volunteers to achieve outcomes.
• Experience with corporate or industry partnerships and/or sponsorship.
• Experience with working with foundations and grant-writing.
• Superb written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent time management, organizational, and follow-up skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a dynamic environment.
• Experience handling and cultivating relationships with program officers.
• Experience working with volunteer leadership in identifying and cultivating major gift prospects.
• Hands-on experience with donor management software and tools.
• Ability to be creative with attention to detail and proven ability to work with an entrepreneurial spirit.
• High self-motivation, commitment to teamwork and individual achievement, with a collaborative, flexible, organized, forward-thinking mindset and high level of professional integrity.
• Commitment to continuous learning and development; keeping pace with the philanthropic environment and best practices.
• Willingness and ability to travel and participate in special events outside of regular work hours.

TO APPLY: 

Include a resume and a cover letter. We encourage you to apply even if your experience does not fully match the position description. At AIP, we embrace considering people from a diversity of backgrounds and career experiences. 

COMPENSATION: $139,600.00 - $153,560.00

WORKING AT AIP: 

AIP embraces a flexible hybrid work environment to balance in-person collaborative work with remote work. The team works in a flexible, hybrid schedule and reports to our offices in College Park, Maryland and Washington, DC, as needed. Employees are required to reside in the DC Metro regions of Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC. 

We offer comprehensive benefits, including generous paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, an annual retirement contribution of 10% of base pay, tuition assistance, commuter benefits, and more. 

Your colleagues at AIP are welcoming, gracious, and eager to help each other succeed. With our commitment to community service, institute-wide social opportunities, and ongoing learning and development, AIP is a rewarding place to work. 

ABOUT AIP: 

Join Us and Make a Difference!

At the American Institute of Physics (AIP), we're dedicated to advancing, promoting, and serving the physical sciences for the benefit of humanity. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, AIP is a federation that advances the success of our Member Societies and an institute that engages in research and analysis to empower positive change in the physical sciences.

Our mission is to advance, promote, and serve the physical sciences for the benefit of humanity. We are passionate about our work and committed to fostering an inclusive and dynamic environment where creativity, collaboration, and enthusiasm thrive.

Join our team and become part of an energized, forward-thinking community. Together, we'll explore the frontiers of science, support groundbreaking research, and contribute to the betterment of humanity.

Be a part of AIP—where science meets passion and purpose.

AIP is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE), including disability/Vets.