Career Development Office Blog

Physicians for Human Rights (“PHR”), an international human rights advocacy organization, is seeking a creative and experienced Director of Development to design, articulate and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy for the organization.  This position offers an exciting opportunity for the incumbent to partner with leadership and play a central role in developing PHR’s full fund-raising potential at a critical moment in the organization’s 25-year history.

Reporting to the Executive Director and as a member of the Executive Management Team, the Director of Development will work in close collaboration with the Board of Directors and other senior staff.  The incumbent will manage a small, experienced and highly professional development department team to expand current fundraising efforts and build a strategically comprehensive development operation. A primary focus of the position will be to implement a major gifts program and continue to build and foster relationships with public and private foundations. S/he will develop new and creative approaches to increase individual giving (major donors, internet outreach) and ensure ongoing philanthropic support from foundations, corporations, and governments.

The ideal candidate will possess proven leadership, management, and organizational skills; a strong record of securing new donors and track record with cultivation and solicitation of major donors; experience with acquisition programs, substantial experience working with Boards; and the energy, enthusiasm, professionalism and drive to achieve ambitious fundraising goals.

In addition, PHR seeks a candidate with a strong personal commitment to human rights issues, an understanding of how to successfully build and engage a membership constituency – primarily health professionals – and synchronize fundraising initiatives with the core mission of the organization.  Such an affinity for PHR’s mission will be essential in successfully developing a vision for the development operation.

Major Functions and Responsibilities:

S/he will oversee a staff of four, including:  Senior Foundation Relations Officer, Major Gifts Officer, and two Development Associates.

In addition, the Director of Development will:

• Provide dynamic and innovative leadership for PHR’s fundraising efforts, building an infrastructure that supports short- and long-term goals, including the implementation of a major gifts program and an online fundraising strategy.  Maintain and expand a strong financial base for the organization by strategically utilizing resources to develop, build and sustain diverse funding sources.
• Inspire and engage a group of elite donors, primarily health and medical professionals, interested in promoting human rights.
• Manage a newly launched acquisition program to expand the pool of major and individual gift donors. Deepen relationships with current donors while launching initiatives to identify and target other individuals capable of making major financial contributions.
• Staff the Nominating and Development Committees of the Board of Directors.  Assist in the identification, recruitment and cultivation of Board members on a national basis, identifying key leaders with an affinity for the mission and programs of PHR. Build a volunteer structure that encourages a peer-to-peer model of cultivation and solicitation. Work with the Board on both “giving” and “getting” to build momentum towards becoming a fundraising Board.
• Guide and support senior staff who are engaged with fundraising.  Utilize key leaders’ time and talents appropriately with respect to cultivation, solicitation and stewardship efforts.
• Maintain and build upon PHR’s base of foundation support.  Provide insights and develop new strategies and tailored cases for support to enhance the organization’s relationships with the foundation community.
• Develop, implement and follow through on all fund-raising events and ensure that events are strategically positioned to raise funds effectively and efficiently.
• Oversee Development Office operations, including gift accounting and acknowledgement, computer system operations, the tracking of gifts and grants, planned gift distributions, donor stewardship and integration with PHR’s data systems.
• Work closely with the Communications team to enhance messaging at all levels of the organization, keeping donors and the public informed, thanked and      involved; providing vehicles for more effective Board and staff fundraising      communications; and ensuring increased giving opportunities through the Web site.
• Oversee all Development Office personnel activities; recruit and train a diverse and high-quality staff that is well-prepared to meet the ongoing challenges of a fast-moving organization; define job responsibilities and conduct performance reviews for all Development staff.
• Foster an environment that rewards new ideas and entrepreneurship that builds confidence, encourages teamwork, and promotes diversity; celebrate current achievements and set clear expectations for future success.
• Plan and carefully manage the development budget, ensuring that funds are spent efficiently and effectively in support of PHR’s mission.
• Liaise and collaborate with the Chief Communications Officer on all advancement-related activities.
• Work collaboratively and in coordination with other department directors, including through active participation in the work of the entire Executive Management Team. Conduct effective interdepartmental communications and provide regular summaries of all development activities to PHR directors.
• Develop and implement strategies to take advantage of PHR’s 25^th anniversary year in 2012.

Qualifications & Experience:

• An energetic, dynamic leader who has a 5 – 10 year track record of effective management and fundraising. Experience formulating and executing a successful, comprehensive multi-million dollar fundraising program at national and international levels, including annual campaigns, foundations grants, major giving, direct mail, and planned giving.
• Proven ability to cultivate, solicit and steward individual gift. Experience with donor acquisition is preferred.
• Strong management skills, both strategic and operations, and a demonstrated ability to build, manage, mentor and motivate an effective team.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior leadership, Board members, staff and volunteers, providing strong support and inspiring them to productive action.
• Thoughtful and creative problem solving skills.
• Excellent written, presentation and communication skills with the ability to deal with sensitive human rights issues, both directly and passionately, and translate PHR’s mission and programs into fundraising initiatives that garner financial support.
• Proven ability for operational efficiency and optimal use of resources; the skills to plan, monitor and tightly manage a budget.
• Ability to work to deadline in a fast-paced environment, and to respond to late-breaking events and opportunities
• Excellent staff development and management skills.
• A proven ability to gain the respect and cooperation of all interested parties, including national leaders who are doctors and advocates in the global human rights community.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with Raiser’s Edge and experience using CRM such as Convio’s Luminate.
• A strong commitment to human rights.
• Bachelor’s degree.
• Willingness to travel.

To Apply:

Send your cover letter and resume via email.  Please include Director of Development in subject line of e-mail. Please include compensation expectations in the cover letter.