Managing Director of Development

Job Description

MISSION 

National Skills Coalition is a “network of networks” advocating for an America that grows its  economy by investing in its people, so that every worker and every industry has the skills to  compete and prosper. A greater diversity of Americans will have access to a better life, and a  greater number of local businesses will see growth, if high-quality, inclusive skills training is a  more central part of our nation’s workforce, education, economic and anti-poverty policies. NSC  staff, members and allies engage in organizing, advocacy, and communications to advance  state and federal policies in pursuit of these goals. 

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Managing Director of Development (MDD) reports to the Chief Operating Officer and serves  as the senior leader of NSC’s development function. Working with the COO and other members  of the Executive Team, the MDD provides input into NSC’s strategic plans for resource  development, and then works with NSC staff to implement those plans. This primarily focuses  on prospecting and grant-writing for foundation grants, but it also includes solicitation of  sponsors (including corporate) for discrete events / projects and online appeals for individual  donations. The MDD will work with (1) the Chief Executive Officer and other senior staff to  introduce NSC to new prospective funders; (2) the Chief Strategy Officer and programmatic  Managing Directors to steward current funders and ensure timely reporting on grant-funded  efforts; and (3) the COO and finance staff on the management and reporting of grant  expenditures. The MDD will also supervise one staff member in support of these  efforts. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Management 

• Planning:  Work with COO and Executive Team to develop annual and long-term  development plans that support the expansion of work both nationally and in the states.
• Budgeting: Participate in the annual budget development process in collaboration with COO and senior staff, and provide insight into fundraising prospects for the coming year.  Participate in forecasted fundraising revisions during the fiscal year.  
• Supervision:  Supervise Development staff, and/or other contracted  support in the execution of development efforts.  
• Training: Provide guidance and training to program staff in areas of funder stewardship and  grants development. Help to develop the larger “development team” at NSC. 

Foundations 

• Prospecting: Work with Executive Team and senior staff to develop and implement ongoing  foundation prospect discovery and engagement.  Establish systems to support execution.
• CEO: Guide and facilitate CEO’s continual outreach to the donor community, including both  current funders and new prospects. 
• Grant Writing:  Work with staff to develop grant proposals and reports.  Participate in proposal  and report writing, and take personal responsibility for ensuring the highest quality in written  submissions. Support COO preparation of grant budgets with finance staff. 
• Grants Management: Support COO in tracking spending of grant funds to ensure proper  expenditures consistent with grant terms. Work with staff to identify needed adjustments.
• Project Management:  Utilize organizational project management systems to create grants  management calendars, including staff assignments for all phases of prospecting,  solicitation and reporting.  
• Stewardship:  Manage staff stewardship of current funders across the organization. Devise  means (written updates, briefings, etc.) to update larger funder community on NSC efforts. 

Sponsors and Donors 

• Online Giving:  Work with communications staff to ensure CRM database supports individual  giving. Help create calendar and content for online requests.  Conduct annual appeal to  members and allies across NSC various networks. 
• Event Sponsors:  Secure corporate and foundation sponsors of major events (e.g., Skills  Summit, Skills in the States Forum, Washington Fly-ins) and other discrete projects (e.g.,  online series). Develop strategies for converting one-time sponsors to long-term funders. 

To perform this job successfully, the DD should demonstrate the following competencies: 

Core Competencies

• Analytical Skills: Tackles a problem by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.
• Project Management: Brings together every component of a project, including resources or planning, that are needed to complete it in a timely manner.
• Technical Expertise: Provides leadership in demonstrated depth of knowledge and skill in a technical area.
• Organizational Awareness: Uses knowledge of the organization and the organization’s business environment to turn data into insight.
• Strategic Thinking/Management: Creates and communicates a long-term vision, balances short- and long-term goals, keeps own and team's work aligned with overall goals, and creates and adjusts strategic plans.
• Partnership Development: Develops, maintains, and strengthens partnerships with others inside or outside the organization who can provide information, assistance, and support.
• People Management: Assigns, develops, and motivates employees to complete assignments in an effective manner.
• Entrepreneurship: Looks for and seizes strategic organizational opportunities; has willingness to take calculated risks to achieve the organization’s goals.
• Financial Management: Oversees departmental financial resources and plans within an allocated budget.
• Organizational Systems Management: Uses organizational systems to support team building, manage change and drive performance among reports and peers.
• External Awareness: Analyzes the organization’s position within the context of external policy trends, industry trends, funding trends, and competing organizations.

Organizational Core Competencies

• Interpersonal Skills: Exhibits respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships.
• Problem Solving: Solves problems while ensuring rules and directives are followed.
• Communication Skills: Ability to effectively engage and communicate with target audiences.
• Initiative: Takes independent action, seeks out new responsibilities, acts on opportunities, generates new ideas, and practices self-development.
• Attention to Detail: Committed to accuracy and excellence, looks for improvements continuously, monitors quality levels, and finds/owns/acts on quality problems.

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 10 years non-profit development experience, with a demonstrated knowledge of the national / regional foundation landscape.
• Additional experience leveraging grant and sponsorships from the corporate community.
• Ability to articulate to funders the value of investments in organizing and advocacy as a means toward systems change.
• Proficiency in grants management and tracking; prior experience in grants management or project management software beneficial.
• Capacity to work easily and effectively with a wide range of people, including working with both executives (including CEO) as well as program staff to implement fundraising strategies.

Compensation: Salary range for this position is $140,000-$160,000. Excellent benefits package, including employer-paid health and dental, retirement plan, life and disability insurance and generous vacation policy.

National Skills Coalition is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

This search is being run by NRG Consulting Group, please contact jobs@nrgconsultinggroup.org with questions.