Director of Development

Position Status: Full-Time

Reports To: Executive Director of the Technology Institute and Working For America Institute (WAI) 

Location: Washington, D.C.

Salary Range: $145,000-$155,000

To Apply

The AFL-CIO Technology Institute has partnered with RCG Talent Solutions on our search for a Director of Development. RCG Talent Solutions will review all applicants and, upon qualification, contact you to determine the next steps. You must submit your application directly to RCG Talent Solutions to be considered.

About AFL-CIO Technology Institute

The AFL-CIO Technology Institute is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization launched in 2021 to bring the voices of working people and unions into technology development and innovation policy.  Creation of the Institute was a core recommendation of the 2019 AFL-CIO Commission on the Future of Work and Unions, a multi-sector collaborative of union leaders determined to build a powerful strategy to prepare our movement for the future of work. 

The Opportunity

The Technology Institute seeks a Director of Development to advance the organization’s vision and mission through the creation of a comprehensive fundraising strategy and sustainable portfolio, and the establishment of software, systems, and  processes needed to support fundraising work. The Institute’s development efforts will center on private philanthropy focused on technology, science, and research and development - areas that will have an immense effect on the future of work and workers. The ideal candidate will have established relationships in the aforementioned areas and can support the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and Staff Team in building critical relationships with new funders and other stakeholders.

In the first six to twelve months in the role, the Director will: 

• Collaborate with the Executive Director to set mini-strategies and goals and simultaneously continue developing the organization’s long-term fundraising strategy and goals 
• Ideally, have brought in a couple of new grants 
• Partner with the Director of Finance and Operations to set up fundraising software, systems, and processes
• Support the Communications Manager in creating and updating collateral for different audiences

And two years out are: 

• Implementing the long-term funding strategy
• Tracking against goals with systems in place
• Building a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization

This is an ideal role for a fundraising professional ready to build out a development shop in a start-up environment and be at the forefront of establishing exciting programming and partnerships that will have a real impact on workers and the labor movement as new sectors of the economy emerge.

Responsibilities

• Develop a Strategic Fundraising Strategy and Sustainable Portfolio
  • Build an organizational fundraising strategy with annual goals that align with the Institute’s strategic plan, with input from the Executive Director, the organizational leadership team, and the AFL-CIO WAI. Update strategy annually with new ideas, industry best practices, and data-driven analysis.
  • Build a diverse prospecting portfolio including philanthropic and public funding sources and a strategy to cultivate key relationships with prospective donors. 
  • Monitor and report regularly on the progress of the development strategy, providing transparent, regular, and actionable analysis for the organizational leadership team. 
  • Design and execute fundraising events or media engagements.
• Support Fundraising Efforts of the Executive Director and Board of Directors
  • Project manage the Executive Director’s fundraising work, working collaboratively to implement priorities.
  • Research and design cultivation and solicitation plans for major funders and key influencers and support the Executive Director and organizational leadership team in the execution of these plans. 
  • Assist the Executive Director, board of directors, and key stakeholders with best practices and coaching to build relationships with foundations and other key partners. 
• Establishing Fundraising Software, Systems, and Processes / Grant Proposals and Management
  • Collaborate with the Institute’s leadership team and key stakeholders to develop high-quality, dynamic, reader-friendly grant applications, reports, and other relevant materials as necessary and on deadline.
  • In partnership with the Director of Finance and Operations set up needed fundraising and grants management systems to manage efforts and track data and goals (e.g., donor management, prospect research, grants management, etc.)
• Team Management
  • Supervise the Communications Manager in developing the organizational brand and producing relevant and informative fundraising literature for distribution to donors and the public.
  • Supervise a contracted grant writer and other contractors or vendors as needed

Other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

• Fundraising & Fundraising Systems Expert
  • A minimum of  7 years of successful fundraising experience.
  • Experience in private philanthropy connected to science, technology, and research and development is highly preferred.
  • Demonstrated success or deep interest in establishing the systems, software, and processes that enable fundraising to operate smoothly and efficiently.
  • Demonstrated experience navigating relationships with power imbalances successfully.
  • Resourceful and creative with the ability to problem solve and offer recommendations and solutions when needed.
  • Self-starter with the ability to effectively work independently or with others.
• Aligned with AFL-CIO’s mission, values, and commitment to the labor movement
  • Commitment to the labor movement and its role to advance economic and racial justice.
  • Experience working in or with labor movement organizations is preferred but not required.
• Strong Relationship Builder and Connector
  • Demonstrated ability to supervise and collaborate with diverse staff teams in an interdisciplinary work environment. 
  • Proven ability to build teams and work effectively in a team environment, in both a lead and support role.
  • Supervisory duties include team-based project management and supervising consultants/vendors.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and high emotional intelligence.
• Excellent Written and Verbal Communication
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical concepts to a variety of audiences including excellent writing and public communications skills. 
  • Demonstrated ability to design, conduct, or oversee writing projects, including excellence in writing and editing, research proficiency and ability to use a variety of tools and methods to display data.
  • Public presentation experience, including demonstrated ability to interact flexibly and appropriately in a politically sensitive environment.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $145,000 - $155,000 and any offer will be determined based on a candidate’s skills and relative work experience. 

The Technology Institute offers employee benefits including

• Excellent employer-paid comprehensive health care, medical, and vision benefits
• Generous leave including annual vacation and sick leave
• Employer Paid Retirement/Pension Plan and 401(k) Savings Plan Match
• A hybrid work culture with the option to work from home up to two times per week

The AFL-CIO Technology Institute is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin. We welcome a diverse pool of applications, believe it is critical that our staff represent the larger labor movement, and are committed to building a culture and community that fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Please note that the AFL-CIO Technology Institute requires all staff to be fully vaccinated unless granted a medical or religious exemption as set forth in EEOC guidelines.