NILC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER; people of color and individuals from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply for available postitions. NILC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic background, citizenship status, religion, political orientation, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability.
Development Director
LOS ANGELES
Last updated FEBRUARY 26, 2013 | Download 
Position and background
The National Immigration Law Center is dedicated to defending and advancing the rights and opportunities of low-income immigrants and their families. NILC uses a variety of tools — including policy analysis, litigation, education, and advocacy — to advance its mission. Over the past three decades, NILC has gained national recognition for its innovative approach to landmark litigation and political savvy, both in Washington, DC, and across the country.
NILC has been at the forefront of recent efforts to thwart state-level anti-immigrant attacks and promote a roadmap to citizenship for immigrants who are American at heart. As a result, the organization has grown tremendously over the last three years. NILC is seeking a Development Director who can help manage its growth both now and in the future. This opportunity is perfect for a dynamic, community-oriented fundraiser who is committed to social justice and wants to work within an organizational culture that staff members recently described as supportive, compassionate, convivial, energizing, and inspiring.
About the position
The Development Director will be responsible for leading all development activities for the organization. She or he will report directly to the Executive Director and work within a team of development colleagues that currently includes a Development Manager and a Development Coordinator. This position is part of the executive staff management team and includes administrative support.
Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Work closely with the other members of NILC’s development department, communications staff, Executive Director, and board of directors, as well as with program and finance staff to develop strategic and targeted giving opportunities for donors.
- Manage and support development staff.
- Create and manage a development plan, including solicitation of funding from private foundations, corporate sponsors, unions, and individual donors.
- Play a leadership role in NILC’s upcoming organization-wide strategic planning process and other planning processes in the future.
- Communicate effectively with donors through face-to-face solicitation and stewardship meetings, targeted donor events, and written communication strategies.
- Oversee implementation of organization-wide development activities, including the annual fundraising event, direct mail appeals, and online giving campaigns.
- Manage and support the Executive Director’s and board members’ participation in development activities.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
The ideal candidate will . . .
The ideal candidate will have five-plus years of experience in development, preferably within a national, multi-site, nonprofit organization. He or she will also bring to the job a proven set of leadership, strategy, management, and organizational skills, particularly while working within a fast-paced organization. The candidate should possess substantial experience in designing, executing, and rolling out a comprehensive fundraising plan, one that includes annual giving, major gifts, corporate, union, and foundation fundraising components. The Development Director will need to be both a coach and a strategist who can encourage board members and staff to participate in direct solicitation and cultivation activities, and also be a highly capable direct fundraiser, able to conduct cultivation and solicitation without assistance.
Additional desired qualities include:
- Passionate commitment to NILC’s mission and approach.
- Demonstrated success in creating and implementing effective fundraising strategies, including, building strong prospect lists, presenting the organization to prospective funders (either individually, or with board and senior staff involvement), and cultivating relationships that yield expanded and multi-year funding.
- Knowledge of development principles, fundraising strategies and ethics, and familiarity with “moves management” donor tracking systems.
- Experience planning major donor cultivation events preferred, as well as experience in planned giving, charitable trusts, and capital campaigns preferred.
- Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively explain NILC’s mission and programs. Must be articulate, with a proven ability to write effectively and speak persuasively. Must have a demonstrated ability to simplify complex themes and activities into short, compelling presentations or written pieces.
- Proficiency with office technology and information systems (including Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and donor databases — and preferably with knowledge of Salsa, the contact relationship management (CRM) service (www.salsalabs.com).
- Friendly, outgoing, and collaborative approach and a strong team-oriented style.
- Available for travel throughout the United States, and to work some weekends and evenings, as necessary.
Salary and benefits
Competitive salary, DOE. Benefits include health, dental, and vision; flexible spending account; 403(b) employer retirement plan.
To apply
This position is open until filled, with priority given to applications received by March 15, 2013. Please send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and five professional references to the National Immigration Law Center, Ref # DEV0213. Send these materials by email, preferably in .pdf format, to jobs@nilc.org only. Please do not send duplicate materials. Incomplete applications will not be considered. You must have all materials requested above in your application. No phone calls, please.
NILC is an equal opportunity employer; people of color and individuals from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. NILC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship status, ethnic background, religion, political orientation, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or disability.
