Director of External Relations - North America

Cristosal is seeking a North American Director of External Relations to help lead the fund-raising charge into our next phase of growth. Based in San Salvador with offices in Guatemala and Honduras, we are a nonprofit organization working in the Northern Triangle of Central America, applying a rights-based, victim-focused, research-informed approach to solving some of the world’s most pressing issues, including the crisis of forced displacement affecting communities from Central America to the U.S. border.

Cristosal is driving change in the Northern Triangle of Central America (El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras) through historic strategic litigation, innovative solutions for displacement due to violence, and research that informs NGOs and governmental organizations in the region and beyond.

We are changing the narrative in the Northern Triangle regarding human rights, and we invite experienced professionals to consider joining our team at this pivotal time in our organization’s growth. Please visit us at www.cristosal.org to read our history, view our 2018 Impact Report, and learn more about our work.

As our Director of External Relations, you will be responsible for building relationships that increase the revenue streams that allow us to achieve our mission and maximize our impact. You will work with a visionary, accomplished Executive Director, highly respected senior leaders in Central America, and a dedicated North American Board of Directors deeply committed to the mission.

As our chief designer and implementer of resource development strategies, you will

• Help our donors accomplish their philanthropic goals through a relationship with our organization
• Work with the Executive Director to identify ways of articulating the general operating and specific needs of the organization and building strategies around those needs
• Travel domestically to support the Executive Director and visit donors on your own as well as making periodic visits to Central America to integrate with Cristosal’s leadership and staff
• Develop and execute the annual North American fundraising plan with the goal of raising $500,000 annually from individuals and faith communities
• Generate new ideas that strengthen recognition of Cristosal’s work, increase revenue and donor loyalty
• Map consistent strategies, in collaboration with the communications team, for all communications channels to tell the story of Cristosal’s work in a way that generates interest and support
• Report on fundraising strategy and progress to senior leadership and the Board
• Oversee the North American communications and fundraising budget and monitor expenses

As our organizer of relationship-building activities, you will

• Design effective ways to identify and engage new donors
• Manage systems and software to track and cultivate donors including the donor database and wealth screening tools
• Plan strategic travel to strengthen connections with individuals and faith communities
• Support board members and advocates in planning and executing events to raise funds and awareness
• Make direct, face-to-face solicitations
• Communicate fundraising goals throughout the organization and help build a culture of philanthropy
• Work closely with the Central American communications team to publicize Cristosal’s accomplishments and opportunities to a North American audience
• Oversee the design and writing of materials such as appeal letters, the annual Impact Report, promotional material for fundraising events
• Assist in the supervision of a part-time administrative associate based in Vermont (where we are incorporated and will have our permanent U.S. mailing address)

This might be a great opportunity for you if

• You aspire to work with an organization that is influential on an international stage, dealing with critical issues of our day, finding lasting solutions for vulnerable populations, and making history
• You have at least 5 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising with significant responsibility for annual goals
• You are an enthusiastic professional capable of building authentic, productive relationships with donors, board members, volunteers, co-workers, human rights advocates, and progressive faith communities
• You are a self-starter who has the flexibility and motivation to work remotely across a variety of locations and time zones. You can initiate and complete projects without constant direct supervision, but welcome collaboration and team work
• You know how to make timely, effective and ethical decisions, and you apply the Donor Bill of Rights to all your fundraising work. You are equally adept at stewarding current donors as well as initiating and building relationships with prospective donors
• You have superb communications skills with the ability to write, edit and proofread persuasively for diverse audiences, speak to large and small groups with ease, and be an effective partner for the Executive Director and Board members in their own presentations and solicitation meetings
• You are a compelling storyteller and can help train others in the organization to be the same

You will have an advantage as a candidate if

• You have superior proficiency in English and are conversant in Spanish
• You have some experience, either professionally or personally, with human rights activism
• You have an interest in Central America, through study, travel, or personal experience
• You have experience working with and an appreciation for faith-based constituencies

Cristosal welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences and knows that the successful candidate may come to us with a unique work history. We look forward to talking with you about how your particular skill set, personality, and passion for social justice might be a match for us.

Please forward a thoughtful cover letter and resumé to Joan Brown, joan.brown@cristosal.org no later than July 26, 2019.