Director of Institutional Writing and Strategy

Title: Director of Institutional Writing and Strategy

Positions Available: 2

Department: Development

Status: Exempt

Reports to: Senior Director of Institutional Giving

Positions Reporting to this Position: None

Location: Flexible

Union Position: Yes

Job Classification Level: E

Salary Range (depending on experience): $80,027-$97,248

General Description:

The League of Conservation Voters Education Fund believes our earth is worth mobilizing for because everyone has a right to clean air, water, and a safe, healthy community. LCV Education Fund (LCVEF) works to turn environmental values into national, state and local priorities. LCVEF’s work to protect and advocate for the environment is rooted in our commitment to racial, social and environmental justice.

LCVEF is hiring two Directors of Institutional Writing and Strategy who will be part of a core team charged primarily with the creation of all written content for the Institutional Giving program at LCVEF and its sister organization, LCV, including, but not limited to: grant proposals and reports to grant-making organizations, factsheets for programs and initiatives, online content, as well as frequent and customized impact updates for existing and prospective funders. High-quality content creation and the timely delivery of grant proposals and reports are priority responsibilities. The Directors will also be responsible for cultivating and stewarding a respective portfolio of current funders and prospective new funders as well as guiding the overall strategy for expanding funding for a specific set of program areas at LCVEF and LCV, such as climate, conservation, voting rights, civic engagement and community organizing.  The ideal candidate is an excellent writer and storyteller, a proven strategic thinker with a commitment to racial justice and equity, collaborative, detail-oriented, and thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Responsibilities:

Writing

• Develop and manage production of well-written, high-impact, and tailored grant proposals, applications, progress reports, draft budgets, and other collateral materials as needed that compellingly convey mission and direction, including LCVEF’s commitment to racial justice and equity, and address the programmatic interests of each funder.
• Develop high-level messaging and framing for the organization and key programs; work with program staff to frame LCVEF programs and initiatives, including a state or regional perspective as needed.
• Work extensively with program staff to develop, write, and present new or pilot proposals to funders. Ensure that proposals elevate our work with historically disenfranchised groups who have been pushed or left out of the democratic process, particularly communities of color.
• Oversee the proposal development and submission process, including coordinating with the Institutional Giving team, program staff, and the finance team to gather necessary content and materials, ensuring all proposals and applications are complete and submitted on time, and maintaining a library of standard attachment materials.
• Support administrative processes for LCVEF grants, as needed.
• Collaborate with institutional giving team to schedule funder meetings, including drafting and sending emails and phone outreach.
• Collaborate with the institutional giving team to create research briefings.

Strategy

• In collaboration with the Senior Director of Institutional Giving, develop comprehensive short- and long-term cultivation and stewardship plans for current, lapsed, and prospective institutional funders.
• In collaboration with the Senior Director of Institutional Giving and relevant program staff, develop a program-specific prospecting strategy to build out an institutional funder prospect pipeline aligned with strategic growth priorities.
• In collaboration with the Senior Director of Institutional Giving, regularly evaluate progress towards development goals and the overall effectiveness of the Institutional Giving program, and make strategic adjustments as necessary.
• Provide strategic guidance on coordinating, scripting, preparing for, and following up on meetings with funders.
• Directly manage a defined portfolio of existing funders and prospects to ensure they are cultivated, stewarded and solicited as appropriate. Funders’ priorities may include climate, clean energy, conservation, democracy as well as other program areas of LCVEF.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Work Experience: Required - Minimum of 4 years of experience in professional fundraising including at least 2 years of grant writing. Successful track record for securing significant commitments from institutional funders. Proven track record of delivering high quality results ahead of deadlines. Preferred - Experience working with a progressive organization or other environmental organization. Experience working with Salesforce or other CRM for record keeping and moves management. Experience writing on a range of issues including the environment, issue advocacy, democracy, civic engagement and/or social justice. Experience working for an organization that maintains both 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) entities. Supervisory experience.
• Skills: Required - Excellent persuasive written and oral communications skills. Highly organized and adept at maintaining systems for easy access to information and data. Solid judgment, critical thinking skills. A sense of teamwork and community, as well as the ability to work independently. Preferred - Ability to speak and write with confidence around issues of racial justice and equity. Proficient in Microsoft Office suite and G suite.
• Cultural Competence: Demonstrated awareness of one’s own cultural identity, views about difference, and the ability to learn and build on varying cultural and community norms. Commitment to equity and inclusion as organizational practice and culture. Understands how environmental issues intersect with racism, economic and social inequality in the U.S. and has a passion for working to dismantle these systems.
• Working Conditions: This position is largely sedentary, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods. The person in this position frequently communicates with partners and major donors and must be able to exchange accurate information. Able to work hours in excess of stated office hours, as needed. The location of this position is flexible and may include travel for staff retreats, conferences, and trainings. Please note that all LCVEF staff are currently working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To Apply: Send cover letter and resume to hr@lcvef.org with “Director of Institutional Writing and Strategy” in the subject line by June 30, 2021. No phone calls please.

LCVEF is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a racially just, equitable and inclusive workplace.