DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Scholars Strategy Network (SSN) seeks a Director of Development to manage and grow the organization’s funding portfolio, work with SSN leadership to develop and fund new programs, and help ensure the organization’s continued financial wellbeing. This is designed as a senior position for someone who is passionate about better connecting research to policy and is excited to deploy their skill to expand the reach of the organization. Working closely with SSN’s Executive Director, Chief Financial Officer, Board, and program staff, the Director will steer donor relationship management, including the identification of prospects and funding opportunities, individual donor stewardship, and grant management. The Director will also manage donor communications, including regular donor newsletters, annual reports, and annual giving campaigns.

The Director of Development is a full-time position with an annual salary between $70,000 to $90,000, based on qualifications and experience. SSN’s competitive benefits include generous time off, health insurance, professional development opportunities and resources, and a 403B retirement plan with an employer match.

SSN currently operates in a remote-first, hybrid work environment. Preference will be given to candidates based in Massachusetts, but this role may be available as a remote position for an exceptionally qualified candidate. Employees in Massachusetts have the option to work at SSN’s main offices at 501 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116. Employees located out of state will be expected to participate in-person for semi-annual staff gatherings. The person selected for this position will be part of SSN’s Admin & Development team and report directly to SSN’s Executive Director.

RESPONSIBILITIES

As a large organization with a relatively small staff, SSN has a lean, productive Admin & Development team that supports the organization’s staff as they create opportunities for a growing network of over 1,700 members who work in more than 330 colleges and universities across the US. SSN also supports a network of 37 chapters led by volunteer members in 33 states. Among other tasks, the Director of Development will:

Increase annual support for SSN from both individual and institutional donors

• Identify prospective funders: The Director will research and identify new prospects, including individual donors and foundations, that are a good match to fund the organization as a whole and any individual programs and projects that align with SSN’s mission and priorities. In doing so, the Director will help generate a sustainable pipeline of funding to meet SSN’s short and long term needs.
• Oversee individual donor stewardship: The Director will cultivate relationships with individual donors by responding to their inquiries and keeping them apprised of network activities to show the impact of their donations. When strategic, the Director will coordinate individual meetings between donors and the Executive Director and any Board members, overseeing any necessary prep and follow-up to help move relationships forward.
• Effectively communicate SSN’s value: The Director will collaborate with SSN staff and leadership to identify funding priorities and best frame existing programs and future plans to attract funding. The Director will maintain in-depth knowledge of SSN’s programs, activities, and structure to be able to persuasively articulate these to foundations and individual donors.
• Keep abreast of developments in philanthropy: The Director will stay up to date on the changing funding strategies and priorities of existing and prospective funders to identify new opportunities for funding. 

Lead all aspects of foundation grant management

• Manage grant timelines and administration: The Director is responsible for all administrative duties related to grants, including securing all necessary approvals, signatures, attachments, and documentation; and alerting the Executive Director, Chief Financial Officer, and program staff of upcoming proposal submission and reporting deadlines. To do this effectively, the Director will track all grant activity, eventually in SSN’s Salesforce database.
• Draft grant materials: The Director is responsible for drafting, editing, and finalizing letters of inquiry, grant proposals, reports, and other necessary pieces for current and prospective foundation funders. Where relevant, the Director will work with program staff to prepare and submit proposals and reports for project specific grants.
• Liaise with foundations: Along with SSN’s Executive Director, the Director will serve as a liaison with foundation program staff. In this capacity, the Director will help key staff both build on existing relationships and develop new relationships with foundation staff. 

Communicate SSN’s work and successes with donors

• Lead annual giving campaign: The Director will plan and execute SSN’s annual end of year giving campaign. This will include drafting any content, connecting with program staff to capture stories and successes to share, and coordinating any physical mailings for donors.
• Produce SSN annual report: In collaboration with the communications team, the Director will oversee the creation of SSN’s annual report. This may include working with an external graphic designer on final production.
• Manage donor communications: The Director will create and execute a content calendar for SSN donors, primarily through a dedicated donor newsletter, so as to regularly communicate updates and successes. The Director will collaborate with the communications team to share donor-relevant content through other platforms like SSN’s website and social media. The Director will also ensure effective reporting, tracking, acknowledgement, and correspondence with individual donors.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will be a self-starter with a deep interest in making research matter and improving public policy. The ideal candidate would be:

• An individual with 3 years of experience in fundraising, including donor relationship development and private foundation fundraising.
• An excellent writer and editor, capable of weaving successes and achievements into accessible and compelling stories that influence and move donors.
• An entrepreneurial spirit and self-starter with a desire to take on new and varied challenges.
• Someone with strong interpersonal skills who is able to collaborate and work well with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Comfortable with travel (when deemed safe).
• Technologically savvy and able to make the most of relational databases and multiple communication tools to reach donors.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Google Drive, Dropbox, MainChimp, Salesforce (or other similar contact databases), and virtual meeting channels like Zoom.
• Committed to SSN’s mission and fully understand how to make use of SSN’s structure as a voluntary, federated network of member researchers.

SSN is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, class, color, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender, national origin, race, sexual orientation, or gender identity. People of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals, and women are strongly encouraged to apply. Candidates considering a career transition or whose skills and experience fulfill some, but not all of the qualifications above are encouraged to apply