Managing Director of Development

Organization Overview

The Greater Washington Community Foundation ignites the power of philanthropy, leads for community impact, and responds to critical community needs. Since 1973, The Community Foundation has been a trusted philanthropic partner to our generous donors and nonprofits working to create lasting change in DC, Montgomery County, Northern Virginia, and Prince George’s County. As the region’s largest local funder, we have invested more than $1.5 billion to build racially equitable, just, and thriving communities where everyone prospers. Today, our strategic focus is to close our region’s racial wealth gap so that people of all races, places, and identities reach their full potential. Follow these links to learn about our Strategic Vision and Values.

Position Summary

The Managing Director of Development will provide strategic leadership over the fundraising department, which focuses on unrestricted giving, and work with the President and CEO to coordinate fundraising across all divisions of the organization. The Managing Director of Development will provide guidance and leadership for The Community Foundation’s current campaign – Together We Prosper ($50 million, 3-year time horizon). We are currently in the quiet phase of the campaign and have raised close to half of our goal, with campaign counsel and relationship officers already established. 

The Managing Director of Development will lead The Community Foundation’s unrestricted fundraising efforts and oversee a comprehensive development program geared to the needs of a growing community foundation including a major gifts program (individual/families, corporations, and private foundations), annual galas, annual appeal, and more. The ideal candidate will bring a proven track record of successfully building and managing a fundraising program, have extensive experience with capital campaigns leading a multi-faceted effort to reach a significant financial goal and overseeing related communications, with experience soliciting and securing five- and six-figure gifts from diverse sources. Supervising direct reports, the Managing Director of Development works across multiple departments, requiring exceptional organizational, relationship-building (internal and external), and communication skills. The Managing Director of Development will report to President and CEO with routine interaction with the General Counsel and Senior Philanthropic Advisor, and the Board of Trustees.

In addition to the duties described in this position description, every role at The Community Foundation is expected to contribute to the organization’s overall success and its goals. This may mean that team members will be asked to take on other tasks that may not be listed here. Examples may include working on a project or specific task outside your standard area of responsibility, participating in an organization-wide task force or special initiative, or being asked to support a colleague when needed. Any additional tasks will be determined by the manager of this role in coordination with the leadership team.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as a member of the Executive and Senior Management Teams.
• Support the staffing of the Development and Marketing Committee and assist the Executive Team with Board management.
• Lead The Community Foundation for a 50th-anniversary comprehensive campaign, Together, We Prosper, by developing major gifts and pipelines and by educating and training internal teams and leadership volunteers
• Collaborate with The Community Foundation leadership and the Development team to create and support strategies to expand the donor pipeline, including but not limited to establishing an annual appeal, identifying and submitting proposals to local, regional, and national corporations and private foundations, researching potential new prospects, and creating a plan for stewarding existing donor relationships in ways that lead to greater philanthropic support.
• Offer the ability to define objectives, create timelines, launch and evaluate capital campaigns to raise funds for whatever program, service, or need requires a significant capital investment.
• Plan and lead the prospect management process both for the Campaign and the annual fundraising for a team of donor services officers located in three offices and senior staff. Participate thoughtfully and strategically pin all aspects of prospect/donor identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, closure, and stewardship. Ensure each major gift prospect has an assigned development officer, strategy, and timeline.
• Manage a portfolio of up to 25 five- and six-figure prospects.
• Ensure that briefings, proposal materials, and other communications for major donors; engage and coordinate volunteer solicitors; assist with staffing the Development and Marketing and Nominating and Governance Committees of the Board; track and report on progress to the leadership team, as well as volunteers, engaged in donor solicitation, cultivation, and stewardship.
• Oversee the development and marketing for The Community Foundation’s signature event, Regional Gala, and support the success of the Montgomery County and Prince George’s County galas. In addition, set goals and desired outcomes for all events.
• Ensure that the development department is represented as a member of the Data Management Team to develop solutions to ongoing data issues and create Standard Operating Procedures for how The Community Foundation manages data and data systems. 
• Build and develop effective and transparent working relationships between the Development department and all other departments within The Community Foundation, serving as a catalyst in strengthening a culture of philanthropy intended to permeate all areas of the organization. 
• Be visible at The Community     Foundation events and other programs to develop robust relationships with donors, prospective donors, and volunteers.
• Supervise the Campaign Coordinator, Development Manager, Executive Director-Montgomery County, Senior Director, Prince George’s County, and an additional senior level manager to be hired.
• Participate in the ongoing review and management of internal systems and policies, and procedures in ways that facilitate the effective tracking and reporting of prospect management and fundraising activities.
• Maintain skills and capabilities by staying up-to-date with fundraising best practices.

Requirements

Desired Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in related field required; advanced degree and CFRE preferred.
• Fifteen plus years of related experience, with progressive leadership experience in fund development and marketing, working with major donors, community leaders, government and elected officials, community-based organizations, and key stakeholders.
• Experience leading a 7-figure comprehensive or capital campaign.
• A broad knowledge of and experience with development and fundraising best practices, including major gift solicitation, event management, proposal writing, and writing annual appeals.
• A strategic thinker who can create a comprehensive and cohesive plan for our fundraising from new and existing fundholders that incorporates the various funds and non-campaign initiatives at The Community Foundation
• Experience working with high net-worth donors and top foundations with a demonstrated track record of building and stewarding strong donor relationships and closing five-and-six figure gifts, preferably in the DC area.
• Strong leadership, organizational, project management, and decision-making skills.
• Exceptional relationship-building and collaboration skills with an ability to quickly build trust with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Self-starter with the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects.
• A skilled communicator who can craft donor appeals and fundraising plans with the ability to present effectively to diverse audiences.
• Knowledge of the philanthropic landscape in the Greater Washington, D.C. community is a plus.
• An energetic, optimistic, and positive approach and outlook.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary for the position starts at $160,000.00. Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. 

The Community Foundation offers benefits and programs that inspire a culture of engagement and productivity.  Hybrid work schedule, Summer Friday schedule; Staff events, professional development stipend, twelve paid holidays, Wellness holidays, and Paid Time Off (PTO). The benefits package includes company-paid health, vision, and dental insurance for employees; flexible spending accounts; retirement plan with employer contribution; Universal Life and Long-Term Care Insurance, AFLAC, and more.

The Washington Metro region is an incredibly diverse area, and The Greater Washington Community Foundation is devoted to diversity and equity. The Community Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer that provides employment opportunities for all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, age, mental or sensory differing abilities, protected veteran status, sex, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.