Interim Development Director

Position Summary

Urban Alliance’s Development team is currently seeking an experienced Development consultant for a six-month Interim Development Director role, to be based within one of the organization’s regions (Greater Washington, DC; Baltimore; Chicago; Detroit). The Interim Development Director will primarily be responsible for writing grant proposals and reports to government, foundation, and corporate donors. In addition, the Interim Development Director will collaborate with the Chief Development Officer and regional Executive Directors to implement fundraising strategies through prospect research, and designing and implementing cultivation and stewardship plans.. Applicants should have excellent written and verbal communication skills, keen attention to detail, strong collaboration and problem-solving skills, and adaptability. The individual must be familiar with the donor life cycle and committed to Urban Alliance’s mission and values. The Interim Development Director will report to the Chief Development Officer. The preferred start date is April 1, 2022, with an anticipated end date of September 30, but can be flexible.

About Urban Alliance  

For more than 25 years, Urban Alliance has helped bridge the opportunity gap by providing thousands of young adults with access to the skills, social capital, and career exposure needed to overcome systemic barriers to equal employment and educational opportunities. Urban Alliance serves as an intermediary between young people, employers, and schools by providing high school students with comprehensive soft skills and digital literacy training, paid internships with local employers, individualized mentoring, case management, and ongoing post-high school planning support. Urban Alliance is one of the few youth workforce development organizations to have its impact proven by a six-year randomized controlled trial and has been recognized as a leader in the field. .Urban Alliance receives revenue from a mix of corporate, foundation, government, and individual donors. Corporate funding can include both fee-for-service agreements with companies that host Urban Alliance interns, as well as corporate philanthropy from those who sponsor interns or fund other programmatic work. The national Development team works in partnership with regional Executive Directors and program teams on fundraising strategy.

Role Responsibilities

• Writes accurate, timely, and high-quality grant proposals and reports, gathering input from key program staff and finance colleagues
• Research new and renewal opportunities
• Cultivates new and stewards existing relationships, participating in calls and representing the organization to key external stakeholders
• Tracks writing schedules to ensure deadlines are met
• Supports the regional Executive Directors with execution and tracking of revenue campaign for the 2022-2023 program year
• Contributes to philanthropic funding goals in excess of $4 million per year
• Enters all application, reporting, and moves management data in Salesforce
• Supports CDO in coordinating with teams across the organization to ensure grant deliverables are met
• Coordinates and supports donor site visits (virtual or in person)
• Updates supplemental proposal materials and attachments as needed
• Maintains internal reports on current and prospective regional funders and job partners, and coordinates monthly meetings with regional Executive Directors to discuss funding strategies
• Contributes to Annual Report and Annual Appeal projects as assigned
• Supports the regional offices by attending and supporting program events as requested
• Subscribes to Urban Alliance’s core values: Students First, Take Care of Each Other, Follow Through, Open & Direct Communication, and Dedication to Mission

Preferred Experience and Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree required; advanced degree preferred
• At least five years of non-profit fundraising experience, with demonstrated success in securing and managing grants at the $100k+ level
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with strict adherence to deadlines
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• High degree of accuracy and attention to detail
• Excellent project management ability
• Strong collaboration skills
• Ability to proactively identify potential challenges and course-correct as needed
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while balancing multiple priorities
• Knowledge of MS Office Suite is required
• Experience with donor databases; Salesforce experience preferred
• A passion for youth development and a desire to work for an organization dedicated to closing the racial-economic opportunity gap

Urban Alliance Vaccination Policy

As established by the Urban Alliance Board of Directors, all employees are required to receive a vaccination against COVID-19, unless a medical or religious reasonable accommodation is approved. If offered a job, the candidate must be able to prove that they have been vaccinated with one of the CDC-authorized vaccines, including either Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson / Janssen or request and be granted an accommodation before their start date.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Urban Alliance is a racial and social justice organization committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. Urban Alliance is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Applicants from all underrepresented groups, including people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and DACA recipients are encouraged to apply.