About the PositionThe Senior Director, Foundation Relations is a vital role in advancing the Alliance for Justice's and AFJ Action Campaign's missions. They are part of a high-performing Development team charged with raising $11+ million annually from a diverse base of supporters: major donors, family/personal foundations, national and regional foundations, direct response contributors, and via our annual events; the full foundations portfolio brings in approximately $6-8 million annually and consists of more than 60 active grants.
In addition to leading the organization's efforts to secure grants from foundations, philanthropies, and other institutional entities for the Alliance for Justice and affiliated organization Alliance for Justice Action Campaign, they will guide and collaborate with AFJ/AFJ Action's leaders and staff, who are among the nation's preeminent democracy and justice policy reformers. AFJ is looking for a seasoned foundations professional, with a track record for successful strategies, increased growth in revenue, and a go-getter attitude that can grow and diversify our portfolio of funding to new heights. This position requires fluency in discussing and describing AFJ/AFJ Action's policy and legal goals, and the activities and strategies employed to reach them to a variety of audiences. A successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communications skills that enable effective philanthropic relationships. Additionally, a successful Senior Director, Foundation Relations will create new and innovative ways to package our program work, and pitch expansion and new projects. Related, they will provide a strategic voice in matching mission to revenue. This role reports to and closely collaborates with the VP of Institutional Advancement and has a direct report in the Senior Foundation Relations Manager.
Key ResponsibilitiesKey responsibilities include:
- Manage the foundation portfolio, with a focus on seeking and moving toward unrestricted and multi-year funding and on maintaining partnerships to secure renewed and expanded support.
- Develop and oversee systems to regularly identify prospects and approaches to secure new funding for AFJ/AFJ Action. Stay abreast of philanthropic trends and foundation giving.
- Project manage and guide AFJ/AFJ Action's program leaders and staff who participate in foundation relations and proposal pitches.
- Manage the Senior Manager, Foundation Relations and assign and oversee a portfolio owned by this team member.
- Write and edit strategy memos, regular programmatic updates, and other donor communications - all strategically framed for each foundation's specific interests.
- Oversee and edit full packages of grant proposals and reports, including budgets and financial narratives and other specific institutional information - fostering accurate, high-quality presentations.
- Serve as primary writer and producer for select proposal and report packages, and as needed.
- Lead the planning and execution of meetings with foundation leaders/staff, and donor advisors. This includes overseeing or conducting donor research and preparing written and in-person briefings for AFJ/AFJ Action's program leaders.
- Advise and guide AFJ/AFJ Action's leadership on all aspects of engagement with foundation staff.
- Represent AFJ/AFJ Action at meetings, both alone and alongside AFJ/AFJ Action's leadership.
- Make funding asks - both in person and written.
- Monitor performance toward meeting revenue projections, meeting fundraising goals, and developing and implementing work plans.
- Draft and prepare materials, including talking points, strategy, and relevant background to support AFJ leadership and the President in meetings, convenings and engagements with foundation partners and prospects.
Key Qualifications- Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent work experience. Advanced degree or training in law, public policy, or nonprofit advocacy is a plus.
- Demonstrable track record (at least 10-15 years of experience) in foundation and institutional fundraising, other nonprofit development, and/or building similar partnerships or sponsorships; experience related to nonprofit advocacy or judicial nominations is a plus.
- Demonstrated political savvy and big-picture thinking, comfort in advancing new strategies and approaches to increase organizational revenue during a moment of growth and building for the organization's exciting next chapter.
- Ability to understand and discuss AFJ/AFJ Action's advocacy and nominations goals, the activities and strategies employed to reach them, and the political and societal landscape in which we work.
- Excellent writing and analytical skills, with talent at translating complex, detailed legal and policy work into clear and compelling language suitable for funder audiences.
- Appetite to work in a fast-paced, high-energy environment, with corresponding abilities, i.e. strong skills juggling tight timelines and competing deadlines with longer-term tasks.
- A team player with highly mature interpersonal skills - including ability to respond productively to direction and feedback, and facility working with staff and leadership at all levels.
- Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop high-performing supervisees while driving results.
- Generosity, flexibility, and kindness to nurture a highly collaborative environment.
- Outstanding attention to detail and accuracy - commitment to work product that is thorough, complete, and polished.
- Comfort with using foundation/grant submission technology platforms and portals, as well as EveryAction, Salesforce, and other essential office technology.
- Demonstrable commitment to AFJ/AFJ Action's mission and goals.
Compensation and BenefitsThe salary range for this role is $145,000-$150,000 based on experience.
AFJ provides a comprehensive benefits package including medical, prescription, optional vision, dental, flexible spending account, and life and disability insurance, as well as commuter benefits and retirement programs.
We offer a comprehensive and generous benefits program, including:
Insurance We offer medical, dental, vision benefits, as well as an employee assistance program for physical and mental well-being.
Retirement Save for retirement with our 401K plan with a 5% employer contribution. Other insurances include life and disability.
Time Off - Year 1 (0-12 months): Eleven (11) days of vacation each year (3.66 hours per pay period), with a maximum accrual cap of 17 days
- Year 2-4: Sixteen (16) days of vacation each year (5.33 hours per pay period), with a maximum accrual cap of 24 days
- Year 4+: Twenty-One (21 days) of vacation each year (7.0 hours per pay period), with a maximum accrual cap of 32 days
Parental LeaveEligible employees may take up to sixteen (16) total weeks of leave in connection with the birth of the employee's child, placement of a child with the employee for adoption, or gaining of a foster child. AFJ will provide eligible employees with twelve (12) weeks of fully paid parental leave for purposes of bonding with a new baby following a birth or placement of a child for adoption or gaining of a foster child.
Position Type/Expected Hours of WorkThis is a full-time position. Days and core hours of work are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Physical Demands This position requires the ability to travel domestically and work long hours when needed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Racial Equity Our employees share our commitment to increasing racial diversity in our movement and organization, integrating justice and equity into the work we do and ensuring an inclusive organizational culture.
Other Duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may changeat any time with or without notice.
Work Environment Geographic Location: Contiguous U.S.; Washington, DC area highly preferred but not required
Work Arrangement: Remote
Typical setting: Office
Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer and communicate with others while doing so. On occasion, travel by car, train, and/or airplane may be required.
Travel requirements: Travel to events, such as staff retreats and other work meetings, will be required approximately one to four times per year.
Schedule: Full-time Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Some occasional evening and weekend hours may be required.
Direct Reports This position supervises the currently vacant Sr Manager, Foundation Relations.
How to Apply Please submit your application on our careers site at https://afj.org/careers (NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE).
If you require reasonable accommodations during any part of the hiring process, please email Wes Lin, Director of People
