Accountability Counsel strives to create a world where people and our planet are prioritized over profits; powerful institutions are responsive to the needs of communities; and the global financial system respects human and environmental rights. We hold trillions of dollars in international investments accountable to human rights and environmental standards. We work alongside communities whose rights, livelihoods, and environment are under threat. Case by case, and investor by investor, we shift power to communities to build a more just financial system.
We work toward change through three programmatic approaches. Advocates in our Communities program provide grassroots legal support and assist communities to use accountability offices effectively; our Research team delivers concrete research and tools for the movement for accountability more broadly; and our Policy team advocates for accountability offices that are accessible, transparent, and fair tools for justice. Our respect-based approach underlies all that we do: internally, it guides how our team treats one another, and externally, it ensures that marginalized people, particularly women and girls, are included as full participants in community-led strategies seeking accountability.
THE OPPORTUNITY
With demand for our work greater than ever, we are seeking a Director of Development (DOD). Serving as a strategic and hands-on development leader, the DOD will partner closely with the Executive Director, staff, and board to fundraise for organizational durability and growth; currently at $3.5MM with the intent to grow to about $5-6MM over the next 2-3 years:
- Design and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy to 1) significantly increase annual revenue year-over-year; 2) grow engagement of current supporters, including renewing and/or increasing multi-year grants; and 3) generate new relationships and major gift support from institutional, individual, and corporate donors.
- Provide leadership and direction to the Executive Director and other leadership staff to ensure efficiency of their time spent on fundraising and position them to cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with major institutional and individual donors.
- Serve as chief grant writer, taking ownership of letters of inquiry, case statements, proposals, and reports, and tightly manage a fundraising calendar to ensure that proposals, renewals, and reports are timely.
- Strengthen processes and systems for fundraising operations. Guide the work of a team member to ensure that all donor information, touchpoints, and projections are tracked effectively in the Salesforce database.
- Create a structure for strategic donor communications, including stewardship touchpoints, briefing materials for donor meetings, funder presentations, written appeals, and other materials as needed. Leverage data, impact stories, and knowledge of Accountability Counsel’s work in communications.
- Become a knowledgeable ambassador for Accountability Counsel and operate with a commitment to placing the agency and dignity of the communities with whom we work at the forefront of our fundraising efforts. This includes stewardship of a portfolio of approximately 40-60 aligned donor partners.
- Manage, mentor, and grow a development team of 2-4 people.
Requirements
WHO YOU ARE
- A passionate advocate who is committed to Accountability Counsel’s mission and values. You believe in the agency of communities around the world to protect their human rights and environment. You are inspired to help Accountability Counsel grow as a world class organization. You resonate with and are eager to celebrate Accountability Counsel’s mission and values and respect-based approach.
- A versatile and well-rounded fund development professional. You bring at least 6 years of work experience in fundraising, with a track record of qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding institutional and individual supporters. You enjoy both the behind-the-scenes and donor-facing aspects of fundraising, and are knowledgeable about fundraising systems, processes, and best practices.
- An exceptional writer, storyteller, and communicator. You are skilled in analyzing, breaking down, and communicating complex ideas in ways that inspire others to action. You demonstrate an understanding of the context surrounding an issue area and create logical arguments that clearly articulate the ‘why’ behind mission and impact. Extensive grant writing experience is required.
- A thoughtful relationship builder who develops rapport easily and fosters long-term connections. You have a warm, energetic, poised, and authentic personality that translates to building lasting relationships both internally and externally. You ‘manage up, down, and across’ and effectively work across functional areas. You are adept at connecting individuals with stories about Accountability Counsel’s impact that matter to them.
- A tech-savvy and well-organized project manager. You are experienced in leading multiple projects with concurrent deadlines. You take a hands-on approach to challenges and opportunities and are skilled at building processes and systems. You strategically use limited resources to create the biggest impact. You are proficient in donor relationship management and research programs and utilize technology to track people, resources, and programs.
- An outgoing individual who is energized by connecting. You are willing and able to travel domestically and internationally to build connections for Accountability Counsel. You are comfortable in a collaborative and diverse, international work environment, sometimes working across timezones.
- A flexible, self-directed, and willing team member. You are at home in a lean nonprofit environment with the ability to stay focused and nimble in the face of growth and change. You are collaborative, pitch in wherever is needed, and are comfortable with shared responsibility.
- An authentic personality full of confidence and heart. You carry yourself with the same dignity and positivity you provide others. You are inspired by challenges and are motivated by big goals.
The following knowledge, skills, and experiences are nice to have:
- Experience with advocacy, human rights, law, and/or international finance appreciated but not required.
- Experience working at an international organization
HOURS AND LOCATION
This full-time position is available immediately. This position is virtual or hybrid if you are co-located with other Accountability Counsel team members, with the need for regular communication with a global team. This position will require periodic travel, including to Accountability Counsel’s Washington, DC office.
TO APPLY
If this opportunity calls out to you, please click here to submit 1) a tailored, authentic cover letter that explains why this mission excites you and why this particular role is a fit for you and 2) your resume. Please address your cover letter to Accountability Counsel’s Executive Director, Margaux Day. We review applications on a rolling basis.
Accountability Counsel is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation or other prohibited category. We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and all qualified persons to apply for this position.
Benefits
COMPENSATION
Accountability Counsel is committed to competitive, equitable, transparent, and progressive compensation and benefits for staff and consultants. The compensation and benefits for this role will be commensurate with experience and location and informed by our Compensation Equity and Transparency Framework. Salary is commensurate with experience and adjusted for geographical cost of living and in the range of USD120,000 – USD140,000 for higher cost of living settings. For lower cost of living settings, the salary range may be USD84,000 – USD98,000, inclusive of a 13th-month bonus if required by the home country, contingent upon location. For candidates with significantly more experience, placement in a higher compensation band may be possible. Accountability Counsel provides full health, vision, and dental coverage, wellness support, retirement contributions, professional development resources, generous paid time off and sabbatical policies, and other benefits. Team members are encouraged to take every other Friday off (Wellness Fridays), as part of our commitment to team wellbeing.