Manager, Major Gifts & Foundations

Manager, Major Gifts and Foundations

November 2024

Location: Remote – U.S. East coast preference | Full time

Reports to: Director, Global Partnerships and Government Affairs

Supervisory responsibility: n/a

Hello Hello! So you’re interested in joining us? Welcome, we’re happy you’re here.

When you Join Alight, you’ll find…

A team with deep experience in co-designing solutions that create new value around the world. We know we need to always be better, and we believe in the power and abundance of everyday people, everywhere, to change the world with us.

A culture of radical accountability to our customers –as we help build a meaningful life for and with the displaced, we ask them what they want and then deliver on it.

An organization that refuses to settle for anything less than delivering human-worthy services.

If you are looking to be part of a living, breathing, ever-changing organization full of disrupters and doers, then read on!

We strive to represent the diverse communities we serve. Applicants who contribute to this diversity and those who bring lived experience with displacement are strongly encouraged to apply.

We’re seeking candidates with experience managing a diverse portfolio and experience managing significant gifts (six / seven figure), multi-year opportunities, and portfolios of $1.5M+.

The Team

The Marketing and Engagement Team (MET) is led by Alight’s Chief Marketing & Engagement Officer (CMEO) and is comprised of several teams: Annual Fund, Donor Services, Marketing & Communications, MET Operations, and Global Partnerships & Government Affairs (PGA). As a collective, this team is responsible for leading the next chapter of our brand evolution, raising the visibility of Alight, increasing private giving, building strategic partnerships, and setting Alight apart in the market.

The PGA team is responsible for Alight’s funding portfolio that includes high net worth individuals (HNI), corporate support, and foundation relationships. Additional areas of focus for PGA include designing the outreach and engagement strategies for corporate, foundation, and HNIs and managing the full life cycle of growing and stewarding a pipeline of new partners and funders.

This team also serves as a voice for the organization at key tables with our institutional funders (US government, United Nations, etc.) and is responsible for our coalition partnerships. In addition, this team will raise Alight’s visibility and influence through positioning at domestic and international conferences and through thought leadership opportunities.

The Role

You will play a lead role in Alight’s engagement with HNIs, corporations, and foundations. This position reports to the Director, Global Partnerships and Government Affairs and will also work in collaboration with CMEO and CEO to define effective strategies for partnership engagement. 

You are responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with Alight’s current and prospective private funders and will be given an assigned portfolio ($2.5M+) of existing partners and business development responsibilities.  This includes taking a moves management approach to retain and deliver long-term funding partnerships.

You will serve as a key internal coordinator to support the senior executive team as they represent the organization externally among a diverse range of audiences, with a focus on providing the necessary preparation and follow-up to effectively represent the organization.

You will seek out unique funding and thought leadership opportunities for Alight to include awards, speaking engagements, high profile event attendance, and other recognition. 

You are skilled at building relationships and can effectively communicate our mission and goals. You are experienced in active listening, negotiation, and conflict resolution. You will continue to engage and support the implementation of Alight’s global strategy, where appropriate.  

Building a shared organization takes time and intention. We will always be becoming Alight, which means your work will evolve as well. For now, here’s how you could anticipate spending your time: 

HNI, Corporate & Foundation Partnership Management and Engagement (60%)

·          Be a key partner to Director, Global Partnerships & Government Affairs in the development of a multi-year strategy for the team. Consistently monitor trends in the humanitarian sector, track innovations in partnerships, and contribute ideas that continuously refine and upgrade our strategies.

·          In collaboration with the Director, Global Partnerships & Government Affairs, you will manage Alight’s relationships and outreach strategy to HNIs, corporations, and private foundations. You will have an assigned portfolio of existing funders and be responsible for prospecting new partnerships.

·          Serve as a key point of contact to coordinate funding needs across all Enterprises with ability to project manage various funding opportunities at different stages across geographies and sectors.

·          In partnership with respective colleagues (including Enterprise teams), prepare proposals and reports for private funders to secure financial support and to fulfill grant agreements. This includes restricted and unrestricted support along with event sponsorship opportunities.

·          Manage coordination with Enterprise teams on active partnerships and funding opportunities to include reporting requirements, engagement, PR, etc. ensuring effective implementation of privately funded projects, initiatives, and programs.

·          Using moves management, create a systematic, process-driven approach that includes outreach, engagement, and relationship management capturing activity in Alight’s CRM system (Raiser’s Edge).

·          Collaborate with senior management and other teammates to align our internal goals with new and existing partner relationships identifying ways to grow engagement and awareness.

·          Deliver a great experience to our partners when working with our organization - you will represent our brand and be our partners’ liaison internally and externally.

·          Forecast, measure, and report on partnership portfolio with attention paid to accurate projections around renewals, upgrade potential, and business development.

·          Attend relevant conferences to engage with prospective funders and identify ways to raise visibility of Alight.

Business Development, Marketing, and Coordination (40%)

·          Research and identify new private funding opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.

·          In collaboration with other colleagues and departments, manage prospective multi-enterprise partnership opportunities serving as a key point of contact and coordinator.

·          Monitor private funding giving trends and find opportunities that align with Alight

·          Collaborate with the Marketing & Communications team to create tools and assets for private fundraising across the organization.

·          Work with Marketing & Communications and other departments on promotion of partnerships to include social media, storytelling, thought leadership, events, etc.

·          Support internal and external events including partner & prospect engagement, promotion, etc. 

Travel: This position involves both domestic and international travel up to 20% of the time to meet with donors, attend conferences and other relevant events, and visit Enterprise programs.

Qualifications

Open heart and open mind. You start by listening. You believe another person’s truth and it changes you. It unlocks your way of thinking in that moment, it opens your world. 

Curiosity. You are always learning. You ask why and why again. You know that change (big and small) is constant, which means your curiosity to learn is matched with adaptability to evolve.

Trust. You believe that people do their best, are disciplined, and care about this as much as you do. You take responsibility for your part and know how to step back and give others the space to shine.

We’re also looking for the following technical competencies:

·          7+ years of work experience within philanthropy, nonprofit, or corporate responsibility; experience with community development and / or humanitarian organization is a plus!

·          Experience managing a diverse portfolio of corporate, foundation, and high net worth individuals.

·          Experience managing significant gifts (six / seven figure), multi-year opportunities, and portfolios of $1.5M+

·          Excellent oral, written and interpersonal skills. This includes representing Alight at conferences, writing grants and proposals, and building our network of supporters.

·          Proven problem solving, critical thinking, analytical and outside of the box thinking skills – connecting dots and translating ideas into action.

·          Ability to develop effective and collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders and manage multiple partnerships. This includes work with C-suite and senior executives, government officials, and leaders in the philanthropic space.

·          Self-starter, resourceful, highly organized, and a team player with proven ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment; ability to work autonomously and manage projects simultaneously, maintaining appropriate prioritization and ensuring adherence to deadlines.

·          Professional approach and willingness to support the team fully, including peers and leadership, to fully meet the needs of a growing leadership team.

Benefits

Compensation:

Borderless Team of 2,500 staff worldwide that sees possibility, celebrates moments of abundance, shares new ideas, and strives to do a better thing every day.

Family Friendly – We know that you are a whole person with a life and a family. We honor this. In return, we expect that you will take ownership of your work and follow-through on your commitments; sometimes that means flexing your schedule and we’re good with that.

Learning & Development – Access thousands of free online learning courses to take at your own pace and tailor to your professional goals.

Health, dental, and MedEvac Insurance – We strive to offer the best-in-class healthcare plans to our staff each year.  We cover 100% of the cost for your health premium and 75% of the cost for coverage for your spouse/dependents.

Retirement – We contribute 6% of your salary regardless of your contribution amount, after one year of service.

Generous Leave Time – Between vacation days, personal leave days, and holidays, you have ample opportunity to take time off when you need it.

Alight

We are on a journey to build Alight, a new platform of amazing people and organizations providing lifesaving services and creating breakthrough solutions for and with the displaced. WeAreAlight.org

Alight is an Equal Opportunity Employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status.  Alight complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.