Position Summary
The Director, External Affairs is a key senior leadership position responsible for overseeing the strategies for planning, development, and execution of the organization’s fundraising efforts, program development, and communications successfully. This role is a transformational leader with a proven track record of cultivating, soliciting, and retaining prospective and existing donors, sponsors, and supporters while working collaboratively with stakeholders to achieve organizational growth. This role oversees the organization’s communications efforts and strategies to enhance the organization’s visibility, engagement, and impact. It also plays a critical role in shaping and leading major events and programs that align with the organization’s mission and strategic objectives. The Director partners with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and the team to advance the organization’s mission-focused work, vision, and strategic goals.
Responsibilities & Duties
Fundraising & Development
- Lead, produce, execute, monitor, evaluate, and report on the organization’s development and program strategy for annual individual gift-giving, corporate and foundation appeals, special events, outreach initiatives, and other cultivation activities.
- Manage sponsorship and naming opportunities, donor acknowledgments and receipts, and fulfillment with sponsors and donors.
- Design, deploy, and manage digital, online, and direct mail campaigns for annual gift-giving, corporate and foundation appeals, special events, alumni outreach initiatives, and other cultivation activities.
- Maintain, cultivate, and steward a portfolio of current and prospective donors, coordinating communications and engagement to ensure continued financial support and partnership.
- Lead list-building efforts, online donation platform management, and record-keeping best practices for improved and continued data integrity.
- Research and identify grant opportunities, develop compelling proposals and track reporting requirements for corporate and foundation fundraising initiatives.
Communications
- Provide oversight of the organization’s communication strategy, portfolio, and implementation.
- Manage all communications products, including annual reports, newsletters to external audiences, internal reports to leadership, social media, Google Ads, email campaigns, and the website.
- Develop and execute multi-channel marketing and communications campaigns that increase the organization’s visibility, engage key stakeholders, and drive participation in programs, special events, and fundraising initiatives.
- Ensure brand consistency across all communication platforms and materials, reinforcing the organization’s mission and impact.
- Engage media outlets, influencers, and strategic partners to enhance public relations and media opportunities.
- Analyze communication performance metrics and audience engagement data to refine strategies and maximize impact.
- Craft compelling messaging and storytelling initiatives that highlight the organization’s success, impact, and key priorities.
Programs & Events
- Develop, plan, and execute monthly programs and events that engage key audiences, support fundraising goals, and enhance the organization’s impact.
- Lead the strategy, planning, production, and execution of major special events, including the Global Leadership Awards Gala, ensuring seamless logistics, strong attendance, and revenue generation.
- Identify, invite, and secure high-profile speakers, presenters, and panelists for events, cultivating strategic partnerships with leaders from the private, public, academic, and social sectors.
- Oversee sponsorship development, ticket sales, and donor engagement strategies to maximize fundraising potential for major events.
- Oversee event logistics, including venue selection, vendor coordination, program development, and audience engagement strategies to create meaningful and impactful experiences.
- Evaluate event success through data analysis, stakeholder feedback, and engagement metrics to inform future programming strategies.
Financial Management
- Develop, oversee, monitor, and report on the annual fundraising, communications, and events budget, ensuring alignment with revenue targets and organizational priorities.
- Monitor financial performance for fundraising initiatives, sponsorships, and events, tracking income, expenses, and return on investment.
- Ensure proper financial reconciliation, working closely with the Finance and Accounting team to track donations, sponsorship fulfillment, and grant allocations.
- Implement best donor and revenue tracking practices to ensure the accurate and timely recording of gifts, pledges, and sponsorship commitments.
- Provide financial reports and fundraising performance updates to leadership, the Board of Directors, and key stakeholders, offering strategic insights for future planning.
- Support the preparation of fundraising records for the annual audit, IRS Form 990, State Charitable Solicitation registrations, and regular fundraising reports for internal and external audiences.
- Identify cost-saving measures and revenue-enhancing strategies to maximize financial sustainability for development initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with all financial and legal regulations related to fundraising, sponsorships, and charitable contributions.
Strategic Leadership and Team Development
- Collaborate with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to set strategic priorities and enhance fundraising, communications, and programs.
- Support the Executive Director in developing, implementing, and migrating to a new CRM system, ensuring efficient donor and stakeholder management.
- Assist the Board of Directors, in coordination with the Executive Director, in developing a new strategic plan, facilitating stakeholder engagement and goal alignment.
- Hire, manage, train, coach, and develop a high-performing team by providing guidance and support to achieve fundraising, communications, and program goals.
- Foster a collaborative and results-driven team culture, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission and strategic objectives.
- Identify and implement professional development opportunities to enhance team capabilities and effectiveness.
- Conduct performance reviews and provide continuous feedback and support to staff.
- Monitor industry trends, best practices, and emerging fundraising, communications, and nonprofit management opportunities to inform strategy and innovation.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications & Skills
Must have a passion for the mission, high ethical standards, and a commitment to a diverse and inclusive community. Strong understanding of non-profit fiscal management, fundraising best practices, and demonstrated experience with major events and program planning, communications, and data-based analysis of fundraising programs are required.
- Demonstrated success in securing and stewarding annual and major gifts, and managing successful annual giving portfolios.
- Proven expertise in stakeholder relationship management, negotiation, persuasiveness, and protocol.
- Ability to provide strategic and effective communications oversight across multiple channels.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal, time management, problem-solving, analytical, and organizational skills, with exceptional attention to detail.
- Results-driven, self-motivated, and adept at managing multiple projects while developing innovative strategies to engage and solicit donors.
- Strong marketing and branding skills with the ability to craft compelling narratives that enhance visibility and donor engagement.
- Proficiency in grants management, fundraising software, donor databases, and CRM systems.
- Ability to navigate complex organizational structures while building meaningful relationships with key stakeholders, donors, and board members.
- Strong leadership and team management skills, including experience supervising and developing high-performing teams.
- Ability to analyze and interpret data to inform fundraising, marketing, and communication strategies.
Education & Experience
- A Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, English, Business, Nonprofit Management, or a related field is required; an advanced degree is preferred.
- Minimum of ten years of experience in fundraising, program development, and nonprofit communications, with demonstrated success in building donor engagement strategies, expanding individual giving programs, and securing and managing grants.
- Significant experience as a communications and development leader in a nonprofit organization, with strong financial and business acumen.
- Expertise in event planning and execution, including major fundraising events and donor cultivation activities.
- Experience with cloud-based technologies (Office 365, Salsa Labs, Salsa CRM, Salesforce, or similar CRM and donor management platforms).
- Strong background in data management, project management, and digital marketing strategies.
- Familiarity with protocol and diplomatic engagement in fundraising and communications.
- Occasional travel may be required for meetings and events.
- May be required to work weekends, holidays, and/or evenings.
- The primary work location is in-person in Washington, DC.
- Competitive annual salary between $80,000 and $85,000 based on experience, plus a comprehensive benefits package.
- The comprehensive benefits package includes health insurance, retirement plan matching contributions, and paid time off.