About Pennsylvania Voice: Established in 2010, Pennsylvania Voice is the 501(c)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 and 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 member 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 bolstering the strategic leadership and implementation work of Pennsylvania Voice’s fundraising and donor relations.
The ideal candidate 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 dedicated, 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 to ensure external development-related work plans and goals are aligned with the mission, values, and strategic direction of the organization and, ultimately, fulfilled.
Central Responsibilities of the Development Director:
- Establishing relationships with local, regional and national funding sources, including foundations, individuals, governments, associations, and corporations to advance Pennsylvania Voice’s strategic initiatives and operations.
- Overseeing processes and identifying opportunities for improvements for greater efficiency and growth.
- Designing and implementing policies, systems, and metrics to support department and institutional goals.
- Managing upticks in activity due to election or other programmatic goals and determining any additional support needed.
- Participating in and supporting external or 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 of 1-2 direct reports, recognizing and relying on their individual expertise and diverse lived and professional experiences, while also providing clear goals, appropriate guidance, and transparency to build trust and ensure individual and team excellence.
- Provide strategic leadership to the development staff, leveraging existing capacity, while strengthening performance to ensure team members achieve their goals.
- Inspire staff through effective motivation, mentoring, and team building.
- Supervise Development team personnel activities, including hiring, definition of role responsibilities, and performance review processes 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 the information needed to prepare accurate proposals, grant budgets and financial reports; ensure grant restrictions are followed; proposal and reporting guidelines are fulfilled; and deadlines are 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.
Qualifications: We’re seeking candidates who excel in understanding systems and operations, building strong relationships, are results-oriented, excellent problem solvers, and strong project managers. Specifically, you will bring:
- 5+ years of fundraising experience, specifically 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 meeting annual fundraising goals of $3M+ from a cultivated and diverse pool of funders, including institutional funders.
- 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. Experience with grant writing a plus, including the ability to grasp Pennsylvania Voice’s organizational narrative and incorporate it into grant applications.
- Excellent relationship building skills, including the ability to connect with and engage varied internal and external stakeholders. Ideally with experience building and managing strong, positive relationships with stakeholders, including underrepresented and/or diverse communities.
- Demonstrated experience as an influential, flexible, and committed leader, with the ability to work with and inspire multiple people with varying viewpoints.
- Strong organizational, relational, and management skills, including 1-2 years of experience supervising staff and/or consultants.
- Experience contributing to the strategic direction of a growing organization.
- Experience with database management, systems development, and reporting, and the ability to grasp new technology quickly. Experience with grants management systems or other forms of administrative experience a plus.
- 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 parties.
- Willingness to work long, irregular hours when needed, as well as to travel monthly within Pennsylvania and sometimes nationally.
- Passion for and commitment to the goals of Pennsylvania Voice, including civic engagement and economic, social, and racial justice.
- Deep knowledge and understanding of the challenges to justice related to race, gender, LGBTQ identity, age, class, and religion – in both internal and external settings.
Compensation: Salary range is $78,000-$91,000, dependent on experience. Pennsylvania Voice offers excellent benefits, including full medical and dental coverage, retirement (401K) package, and paid holiday and vacation days.
Location: Pennsylvania Voice is a fully remote organization day-to-day, but does hold a few mandatory, in-person all-staff events each year. These events are generally held in our office located in Philadelphia, PA and the organization covers any associated travel costs. To complete some of the duties required of this role, additional Philadelphia office visits may be required. This role requires regular daytrip and overnight travel within Pennsylvania and sometimes nationally. It is preferred that candidates live in or be willing to relocate to Pennsylvania by the start date.
How to Apply: Please submit your resume and a cover letter that speaks to your interest in Pennsylvania Voice and this role, as well as your qualifications for the position. Submit your application materials by clicking 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.pennsylvaniavoice.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.
