Emerge Seeks Senior Development Director

  • Apr 26, 2024
  • Allison Abney

Do you find fundraising and donor relationships exciting? Are you energized by the opportunity of learning more about a donor? Do you believe deeply in donor-centric fundraising? Is finding and mentoring the next generation of fundraisers something you are passionate about?

Emerge is seeking a driven and creative self-starter who is energized by opportunities to secure high-net-worth donors, works with a sense of urgency, and can execute fundraising strategy with results. If you are self-motivated, take initiative, anticipate challenges, and follow through to deliver results, come join the Emerge team.

Emerge’s Senior Development Director is a frontline fundraiser responsible for overseeing a diverse portfolio that includes events, grassroots fundraising, and securing transformative gifts from high-net-worth individual donors to support Emerge’s commitment to electing Democratic women up and down the ballot. This role will engage her own individual donor contacts as well as research high net worth donors, conduct relationship mapping, develop strategies to engage donors at varying levels, and implement direct engagement with the goal of securing new and renewed gifts in the first year and beyond. If you are excited about getting Democratic women elected up and down the ballot and helping to raise the crucial funds to support that mission, then this is the job for you

The Senior Development Director is a regular full-time remote position that reports to the Chief Development Officer. 

 

ABOUT EMERGE

Emerge is changing the face of politics to create an inclusive democracy. We are the nation’s premier organization that recruits, trains, and provides a powerful network to Democratic women who want to run for office. Since 2002, Emerge has trained more than 6,000 Democratic women to run for office and there are more than 1200 Emerge alumnae currently in elected office. 

Our Core Values

  • Belonging
  • Empowerment
  • Transformation
  • Excellence

At Emerge, diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of our mission. We want our team to reflect the incredible diversity of the political power we seek to build. Therefore, we especially encourage applications from people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities and members of other groups who are underrepresented in our political system. 

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising and Strategy 

  • Uses creativity and strategic thinking to collaboratively develop an exciting fundraising plan that will take Emerge to the next level and provide impact so that Emerge fulfills the mission of training Democratic women.
  • Helps lead the execution and annual success of Emerge’s portfolio made up of a diverse mix of national and state-based donors including individuals, partner organizations, and corporations
  • Works with the Chief Development Officer to develop and execute a strategy to build Emerge’s pipeline supporting our efforts with new, five-to seven-figure prospects (individuals, foundations, and corporations) from outside the organization’s existing donor pool. 
  • Pitches and closes new and renewed donor proposals
  • Draft proposals, concept papers, pitch decks, reports, and other relevant materials to pitch, close, and steward fundraising opportunities
  • Works with the Communications team to create relevant collateral, events, and other messaging to steward, engage, and secure donors

External and Internal Relationships and Presence

  • Serves as a leader across the organization by building strong internal relationships, understanding the work of each team and individual, and supporting peers to grow and develop
  • Serves as a face of Emerge in meetings, conferences, and other external convenings with donors or potential donors 
  • Creates and facilitates donor calls, meetings, events, and experiences with great attention to detail, donor-targeted messaging, and highly professional execution 
  • Builds and maintains relationships with donors and other critical stakeholders
  • Works closely with relevant staff routinely to acquire knowledge of Emerge programmatic priorities to solicit donors and build donor relationships effectively

Team Leadership and Management

  • Oversees a team of at least 4, co-creating goals, coaching, completing annual performance reviews, and professional development to grow team members to continuously improve individual and overall team performance
  • Serves as a strategic thought partner and leader on the Development team supporting annual planning, performance management, and development of the full development team
  • Uses Emerge’s donor data to create annual goals and track progress toward goals

Other Responsibilities

  • Collaborate on other Emerge strategic fundraising initiatives and events
  • Travel will be required, estimated up to 30% or more as needed, including frequent trips to specific target areas
  • Some evening and weekend hours required for outreach or event participation; and
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

 

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Emerge is seeking candidates with at least 7 years of non-profit development and fundraising experience, ideally in a political setting. 

In addition, Emerge is seeking the following specific qualifications:

  • Excellent interpersonal and relational skills, including competency working cross culturally and in diverse teams to create an equitable and inclusive environment
  • Natural relationship-builder who can find and make connections between people’s passions and the mission of the organization
  • Demonstrated success in soliciting and managing 6 and 7 figure gifts from current and prospective donors
  • At least 3 years experience leading a team that successfully met annual performance goals
  • Strong management and leadership skills
  • Demonstrated ability to work with a high degree of autonomy and accountability and to be a team player. 
  • Ability to develop and follow through on creative and effective solicitation strategies 
  • Ability to quickly build and continuously develop trusting relationships with donors and stakeholders
  • Ability to create and deliver highly professional, compelling presentations to donors and facilitate donor meetings 
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office and Google suite and familiar with using donor management software/databases such as NGPVAN
  • Knowledge and passion for women’s political leadership issues and political experience preferred

 

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Emerge offers a competitive compensation and benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, long-term disability, life insurance, and 401k retirement plan. We also offer a generous holiday plan, unlimited PTO, and the opportunity to work with a dynamic team of mission-driven people. Salary Range: $115,000-$120,000

 

HOW TO APPLY

Please send a resume and cover letter with the email subject “Senior Development Director” to search@emergeamerica.org. In your cover letter, include a description of how your background aligns with this position, examples of past impact, and an explanation of your interest in women in politics.

Emerge will not be able to respond to all applicants. Only those who qualify for an interview will be contacted. NO CALLS PLEASE.