Development Director

About Pennsylvania Voice

Established in 2010, Pennsylvania Voice is the 501c(3) table for more than 55 state and local-based organizations, working year-round to create a more accessible, inclusive, and representative democracy by amplifying the voices, leadership, and expertise of communities that have historically experienced deliberate barriers to civic participation. Our partnership is grounded in the belief that a fair and just society will be achieved through collective power; that democracy requires full participation and equitable representation; and that the pathway to power in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania must include Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and AAPI communities. 

Together, we win shared policy and civic engagement victories to build long-term power. 

A team of experienced organizers/strategists staff Pennsylvania Voice. We coordinate, support, convene, and co-create with a diverse community of statewide and local leaders, each representing distinct organizations, around three program areas: 

• Civic Engagement: Year-round integrated voter engagement campaigns that increase voting, voter registration, and participation in civic life among all Pennsylvanians and specifically Black, Indigenous, and communities of color
• Voting Rights and Access: Modernizing elections to make voting more convenient and fully accessible to all
• Reflective Democracy: Investment in community leadership and governance that is accountable to community interests and needs

An explicit commitment to racial equity frames our partnership, our programs, and our culture.

Position Summary: 

Pennsylvania Voice is seeking a passionate, goal-oriented, and accountable visionary to serve in a critical new role as Director of Development. As the lead staff person responsible for our external visibility and credibility, the Director of Development will bring a record of success developing relationships that generate revenue for mission-based organizations or initiatives as well as experience developing employees and effective development strategies. This is a complex position that includes proving the strategic leadership and implementation of PA Voice’s fundraising and donor relations. 

The ideal Director of Development will be a highly organized, analytical, strategic, and flexible partner to the Executive Director and team ensuring timelines are developed and met and committing to respectful, productive engagement with a diverse set of stakeholders. The Director of Development will also be a committed, innovative leader with an understanding of and respect for grassroots organizing and participatory democracy who can inspire others, find common points of interest, and motivate partnership and investment in Pennsylvania Voice’s mission and initiatives. 

This position reports to the Executive Director and will build and lead a small team of staff including a development manager and consultants ensuring external development-related work plans and goals are aligned with the mission, values, and strategic direction of the organization and, ultimately, fulfilled.

The salary for this position is $78,000-$91,000 plus benefits. 

Principal Responsibilities for the Pennsylvania Voice Development Director:

Central Responsibilities:

• Establishing establishing relationships with local, regional and national funding sources including foundations, individuals, government, associations, and corporations to advance Pennsylvania Voice strategic initiatives and operations 
• Overseeing processes & identifying opportunities for improvements & enhancements both for greater efficiency and growth as well as alignment with organization programs and direction in any of the areas listed below 
• Designing and implementing policies, systems, and activity metrics to support department and institutional goals
• Managing upticks in activity due to election or other programmatic goals and determining any additional support needed 
• Participate and support external/stakeholder activities as part of the team 

These central responsibilities are embedded throughout all of the following responsibilities listed below. 

Fundraising 

• Develop and implement a strategy for the stability and steady growth of the organization’s budget over the next 5 years, to include annual development plans
• Develop realistic stretch fundraising goals and targets; implement related work plans; monitor progress; provide updates; and adapt strategies as needed to ensure success
• Support the Executive Director in work with foundations including providing context, coaching, data, and insight as well as determining how and when to strategically leverage the Executive Director in foundation relations
• Manage and utilize data from supportive technology and train the team, as needed, on effective database management and reporting
• Ensure the successful completion of prospective donor research, comprehensive and persuasive letters of inquiry, grant proposals, sponsorship proposals, acknowledgments, and reports for programs, services, and general operations
• Build infrastructure for the Development team in order to establish a structured- individual and major gifts program 

Team Management

• Lead a small team, relying on their expertise and providing clear goals, appropriate guidance, and transparency to build trust and ensure individual and team excellence
• Provide strategic leadership to the development staff, ensuring team members achieve their goals
• The Director will inspire staff through effective motivation, mentoring, and team building. The Director will embrace diversity and possess the management skills to leverage existing capacity while strengthening performance to achieve goals.
• Supervising Development Office personnel activities, including hiring, definition of role responsibilities, and performance review process for each team member
• Select, manage, and assess consulting partners as needed

Fiscal Management

• Work closely with the Executive Director and Senior Director of Finance & Operations to keep the organization’s budget current at all times, reflecting all received funding
• Collaborate with program staff and the Finance team to gather information needed to prepare accurate proposals, grant budgets and financial reports and to ensure grant restrictions are followed and proposal/reporting guidelines are fulfilled and deadlines met
• Develop and implement systems and policies for grants management
• Develop and implement a system for managing proposals to prospective funders

Relationship Building

• Manage and strengthen relationships with current funders
• Develop and implement a system for managing funder relationships
• Research and cultivate relationships with prospective funders
• Create and/or capitalize on dedicated events and learning opportunities to advance relationships with foundation supporters

Requirements

Qualifications: 

We’re seeking candidates who excel in understanding systems and operations, build strong relationships, are results-oriented, are excellent problem solvers, and have strong project management skills. Specifically, you will bring:

• 5 + years of fundraising experience leading development and/or grantmaking efforts preferably within nonprofit, philanthropic, or civic settings focused on civic engagement, community organizing, campaigns, and/or similar aims and inclusive of philanthropic/institutional giving.
• Experience and/or aptitude to set and obtain annual fundraising goals of $3M+ from a cultivated diverse pool of funders including institutional funders.
• Passionate about working for a progressive organization and committed to the goals of the PA Voice including civic engagement and economic, social, and racial justice.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects from conception to completion with great attention to detail while minimizing complications, maximizing effectiveness, and keeping the team informed and engaged.
• Exceptional writing skills, both in terms of grammar and language use, with grant writing experience a plus.
• An ability to grasp Pennsylvania Voice’s organizational narrative and incorporate it into grant applications.
• Strong organizational, relational, and management skills.
• Staff and/or consultant management experience.
• A good attitude and ability to work with and inspire multiple people with multiple points of view.
• Experience building and managing strong, positive relationships with stakeholders including underrepresented and/or diverse communities.
• Experience contributing to the strategic direction of a growing organization
• Excellent relationship building skills; ability to personally connect with and engage with varied internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to facilitate gatherings with diverse participants. Proven experience building consensus and a demonstrated entrepreneurial ability to develop alliances and coordinate the shared interest of all partiesExperience with database management, system development, or reporting and the ability to grasp new technology quickly.
• Grants management or other forms of administrative experience a plus.
• Demonstrated experience as an influential, flexible, and committed leader willing to occasionally work irregular hours as needed.
• Deep knowledge and understanding of challenges to justice, and experience in managing challenges in race, gender, LGBTQ identity, age, class, and religion—in both internal and external settings
• Willing to work sometimes long, irregular hours, and to travel as needed—on a daily basis, work will likely be remote from home into 2024.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly within Pennsylvania and some national travel.

Compensation: Depends on experience and is highly competitive. Salary range is $78,000-$91,000 based on experience with excellent benefits including full medical and dental coverage, retirement (401K) package, and paid holiday and vacation days.

Monthly overnight travel may be required.

Location: Physical Office located in Philadelphia, PA. Due to CoVid-19, we are currently working remotely but to complete some of the duties listed above some regularly scheduled office visits will be required. Candidates must be based in Pennsylvania or willing to relocate by the start date. 

HOW TO APPLY: Send a resume and a cover letter. Your cover letter can be traditionally formatted or you can simply send answers to these questions in writing or by video:

• Why are you applying for this position?
• Why do you think you meet the qualifications for this position?

Please submit your resume and cover letter/answers to questions by selecting the “apply” button below. Please, no phone calls. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the application and interview process, please reach out to us at jobs@pavoice.org.

DEADLINE: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, at which time the job announcement will be removed from our website, www.pavoice.org/jobs 

Pennsylvania Voice is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We value a diverse workforce and have an inclusive culture. Pennsylvania Voice encourages women, people of color, persons with disabilities, people with records of arrest or conviction, veterans, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals to apply. Pennsylvania Voice hiring process will comply with Philadelphia’s Fair Criminal Records Screening Standards (“Ban the Box”) ordinance.