Director of Institutional Advancement/Fundraising

At the Center for Global Development (CGD), we work hard every day to achieve impact, generating and communicating research and practical ideas for global prosperity. We focus on understanding and improving the policies and practices of rich countries and international institutions in order to make the world a fairer world - for the people of Syria, for farmers in Zambia, or for unemployed Haitians.

We believe that improving the policies and practices of the rich, powerful and influential is the most cost-effective way to support poor people in their efforts to improve their own lives. While harder to see than providing services directly to poor people, and relying more on head than heart, our work can have impacts that are incredibly far-reaching and sustained. Examples include creating Advance Market Commitments for vaccines, playing a pivotal role in $18 billion in debt relief for Nigeria, or conceiving of new performance-based ideas like Cash on Delivery aid.

Founded in 2001, CGD has quickly become a nimble, independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit think tank respected across the globe for our influence and impacts, with an $11 million annual budget and 55+ staff.

With a central office in Washington D.C., a Europe presence based from London, and a growing list of non-resident and visiting fellows around the world, CGD is poised to provide practical policy ideas in areas such as migration, trade, private investment, aid, global health, climate change, just to name a few. The support of our donors is fundamental to our independence and future success.

CGD is currently seeking a committed and self-motivated professional to serve as the director for institutional advancement. Collaborating closely with the president and reporting to the vice president for programs, the director will create and implement a plan to cultivate and capitalize on the strong fundraising track-record of the Center at a fantastic time in the organization’s development. This is an excellent opportunity for a dynamic and dedicated individual to have a significant impact on CGD and the field of international economic development.

Responsibilities:

• As director you will create and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy that will increase CGD’s revenue streams and donor support, build greater public awareness of the Center’s mission and strengthen impact.
• Serve as a member of the senior management team and work closely with the management and the Board of Directors to realize agreed-upon development goals and objectives.
• Manage a three-person team consisting of a major gifts officer, an institutional advancement officer, and an institutional advancement assistant.
• While this is a generalist role, you will be expected to develop and drive a plan and process to strategically cultivate and maintain relationships with current and potential major donors, including foundations, corporations, governments, and individuals.
• Work collaboratively with the president, vice presidents, and your team to prepare for donor meetings, participate in those meetings, and take the lead on making asks as appropriate.
• Collaborate effectively with the vice president for communications and operations and the chief financial officer to ensure CGD’s institutional strength.
• Work closely with Board members, CGD staff, and other organizational ambassadors to identify and establish relationships with additional potential prospects.
• Oversee the staff and manage the institution’s fundraising tracking system (utilizing CGD’s customized Salesforce.com database) to maintain strong institutional memory.
• Work independently as well as collaboratively to prepare necessary materials, talking points, meetings/events and information in preparation of donor prospect asks.
• Encourage development and opportunities for the institutional advancement team.
• Willingness to travel as needed.



Qualifications:

• Passion for the work and mission of the Center for Global Development, and the ability to communicate that mission to current and potential donors.
• Relevant degree and 7+ years of development and external relations experience. This experience should be coupled with demonstrated supervisory experience, team building, and organizational leadership.
• Ability to foster collaborative management based on open, transparent, and inclusive decision-making is strongly desired.
• Ability to work closely with senior institutional leaders to leverage their relationships and manage their involvement in the development process; experience doing so is a plus.
• Exceptional writing, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent follow-through and attention to detail, with the ability to track and manage multiple critical relationships.
• Flexibility, commitment to continuous learning and improvement, a roll-up-your-sleeves attitude, and the ability to thrive in a fun, fast-paced, entrepreneurial yet academic, policy driven environment.
• Healthy sense of humor
Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to jobs@cgdev.org. Please use "Director of Institutional Advancement" in the subject line of email correspondence. No phone calls, please.
CGD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age or sexual orientation shall have equal access to positions, limited only by their ability to do the job.