ROLE TITLE: Managing Director, Development

POSITION REPORTS TO: Julia Durodoye

APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 8, 2023

LOCATION: Houston, Texas

WHAT YOU’LL DO

The Managing Director (MD), Development will serve on the Texas development frontline fundraising team as the critical external development lead to our executive director and local advisory board in the Houston market.

At the heart of our frontline fundraising team is building a base of philanthropic champions interested in accelerating educational equity in our local communities and across Texas. With an annual revenue target ranging from 1 Million to 1.5 Million. You will predominantly focus on expanding gifts in the 5K-250K giving ranges, through a diversified portfolio of individual giving, foundations, and corporate giving. The MD, Development will work to steward a local set of philanthropic champions and supporters, with a focus on their annual revenue target, key progress indicators related to renewals, upgrades, brand engagement, and other non-revenue-based KPIs.

As a senior frontline fundraiser, you will directly solicit, cultivate, and steward the interests and motivations of prospects in your portfolio, and at times leverage our leadership network of executive fundraisers, executive directors, board members, and other champions to solicit and hold relationships based on the strategy you set in place.

The right candidate believes this is done through genuine relationship building, connecting donor motivations and interests to the mission of Teach For America, and deepening donor proximity and conviction in our theory of change and the boldness of what’s possible when leaders across sectors work together toward a common purpose.

WHAT YOU’LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR

(15%) Regional Development Vision, Strategy, & Direction

• Develops and implements Houston’s year-long fundraising strategy to meet revenue goals with a focus on long-term sustainability

• Oversee the systems and direct work with the Houston Executive Director working directly to leverage their relationships, and their current/future boards to support local and enterprise development targets and non-revenue Texas development KPIs.

• Construct revenue-based goals for your regionalized portfolio including bottom line-targets, upgrades and renewals, brand stewardship, and other non-revenue KPIs

• Support the Texas Development Hub work-flow, leveraging our specialized colleagues to expand your capacity through the work of our team leads for stewardship and events, grant writing, operations,etc.

(75%) Donor Acquisition, Cultivation, Stewardship

• Develop and implement a strategic gift solicitation plan for each donor in assigned portfolio

• Build a strong portfolio of prospects and donors, guiding each through discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

• Conduct 8 to 10 in-person meetings per month, with an average of two major gift solicitations per month.

• Keep timely, accurate, and thorough records of all donor activities, major gift proposals, and gift pipeline in the Development CRM.

• Analyze fundraising progress to goal, identifying what is driving and impeding progress -- work with Texas Development Hub leadership team to seize opportunities, problem solve gaps to targets, and adjust priorities ongoing to maximize your portfolio

• Deliver compelling verbal pitches that incorporate investor motivations, accurate data, and inspiring stories that reflect our unique mission and work.

• Respond quickly and comprehensively to requests for follow-up, clarification, and additional information with the aim of demonstrating the appreciation and value we place on our champions’ support

(10%) Fulfill Critical Texas Team Responsibilities

• Carry out foundational activities:

  • Engaging in functional team and statewide team retreats and meetings;

  • Engaging in Diversity, Equity, Inclusiveness (DE) and anti-racist training, reflection, and application

  • Preparing and leading check-ins with your manager, Executive Director, and other colleagues around progress toward goals;

  • Leveraging national resources (e.g. weekly newsletters, daily gift reports, etc.);

  • Preparing for and engaging in our performance development program; and

  • Upholding our data management, office operations, and fiscal responsibilities.

• Make a direct impact on the organizational mission of enlisting, developing and mobilizing leaders to strengthen the movement for educational equity by interviewing applicants to Teach For America; increasing programmatic knowledge of local and statewide impact through direct interaction of programmatic activities and/or engaging with Teach For America corps members and alumni.

A WEEK IN THE LIFE

Over the course of any week, the Managing Director, Development will spend time:

Driving fundraising strategy in the Houston market which will include both external and internal functions. Externally you will spend a significant portion of your week meeting with funders, board members, and attending community events and TFA events. Internally you could find yourself meeting with your team members to execute on donor communications and events, working with our team to prospect for new supporters, and engaging in learning and collaboration opportunities.

YOUR EXPERIENCE

Prior Experience

• 7 years of work experience with increased responsibility; at least 5 years direct fundraising experience

• Experience in project management, including managing people vertically and laterally, to meet outcomes and deadlines

• Self-starter with track record of managing multiple projects and deadline oriented

• Track record of achieving ambitions and goals

Work Demands

• Ability to work some evenings, weekends, and early mornings

• Willingness to travel to and from in-person donor meetings as well as key events/gatherings

Skills

• You are passionate about issues related to educational inequity in Texas.

• Exceptional relationship management skills, and strong belief in a people-focused approach to donor management

• Strong gravitas, presence, and maturity that engender respect and facilitates strong partnerships

• Strong writer and effective verbal communicator, with ability to tailor approach to different constituency groups

• Strong project management skills and an ability to handle multiple projects with competing priorities to achieve ambitious goals. When you face a problem, your first instinct is to break it down into smaller, manageable pieces and ruthlessly prioritize what is most important.

• Strong outcomes orientation, using key data sets to drive evidences based decision making and prioritization choices in pursuit of holistic goals and KPIs

• Agility to navigate a large and complex national organization; You strive towards outcomes by working collaboratively with others inside and outside of your immediate team

• You are a conscious leader, and have a strong understanding of the dynamics of race and class in America and a history of operating in the spirit of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness.

• Outstanding judgment, discretion, ethical standards and commitment to responsible stewardship

• Deep commitment to Teach For America's mission and core values

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required

• Master’s degree preferred

BONUS (preferred qualifications)

• Experience in the K-12 education sector, or public school systems is not required but is a plus

• Knowledge of Houston philanthropic landscape(s) a plus

YOUR FUTURE TEAM

You will join a team of 11 mission driven individuals committed to pursuing equity for all students. We come from diverse professional and demographic backgrounds and operate with a high degree of respect for one another and our collective charge of fueling the work of Teach For America in Texas. As a team we value authenticity, open communication and are committed to continuously improving our practices and how we operate as a team.

YOUR COMPENSATION

The applicable salary range for each U.S.-based role is based on where the employee works and is aligned to one of 3 tiers according to a cost of labor index in that geographic area. Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of job-related factors, which may include education, training, experience, location, business needs, or market demands. The expected salary ranges for this role are set forth below. These ranges may be modified in the future.

Tier B $98,100-$146,900

You can view which tier applies to where you plan to work here. If your location is not listed, please click here for additional total rewards information.

THE PERKS

By joining staff, you join a network of individuals committed to pursuing equity for all students and developing themselves as professionals in the process. We as an organization value the longevity of our employees and offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits plan. The salary range for this U.S.-based role is based on where the employee works and is aligned to one of 3 tiers according to a cost of labor index in that geographic area. Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of job-related factors, which may include education, training, experience, location, business needs, or market demands.

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