Chief Development Officer, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

LeaderFit; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading civil rights organization seeks a Chief Development Officer to oversee fundraising and expand financial support. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in racial justice advocacy, proven fundraising experience, and the ability to lead a team effectively. This role offers a unique opportunity to enhance the organization's development infrastructure and impact.

Qualifications

• Passionate about advancing racial justice.
• Experience with funding sources from law firms and foundations.
• Proven success in team building and fundraising.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all fundraising efforts and manage a $2M budget.
• Develop and implement strategies to cultivate new support.
• Lead and inspire the Development team.

Skills

Fundraising

Strategic Leadership

Relationship Management

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Experience in racial justice organizations

Track record in fundraising

Job description

JOB TITLE:Chief Development Officer
DEPARTMENT: Development
LOCATION: Washington, DC
REPORTSTO: President & Executive Director
JOBCLASSIFICATION: Full-Time; Exempt; Non-Union

About the organization:

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is one of the nation’s leading racial justice legal organizations. Formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy, the Lawyers’ Committee uses legal advocacy to achieve racial justice, fighting inside and outside the courts to ensure that Black people and other people of color have the voice, opportunity, and power to make the promises of our democracy real.

The Lawyers’ Committee has an annual operating budget of $24M and 75 hybrid staff members based in the Washington, DC region.

Please visithttps://www.lawyerscommittee.orgto learn more about The Lawyers’ Committee’s history, impact, and leadership.

About the role:

Reporting to the President/Executive Director, the Chief Development Officer (CDO) is the primary development partner to the Lawyers’ Committee’s board of directors and is an integral member of the executive leadership team. The CDO oversees all fundraising efforts, leading strategy, managing a $2M budget and a team of seven, with the opportunity to grow the development team further.The CDO will maintain current sources of support; expand the organization’s base of financial support from foundations, individuals, law firms, businesses, and others; and develop and implement creative strategies to cultivate new forms of support. Finally, the CDO will identify and drive the most effective development and marketing techniques to achieve organizational goals, in collaboration with the President/CEO, the board of directors, the communications, program, and operations teams, and other valued partners.

The ideal candidate is passionate about and has experience working within organizations advancing racial justice for Black people and other people of color. They have experience working with the types and sources of funding common to the organization, including lawyers and law firms. They have a growth mindset and a demonstrated track record of success in building an effective professional team and raising funds at or above the organization’s current budget size. They are a disciplined and strategic yet innovative thinker who values and excels at clear communication (written and verbal), cross-functional collaboration, and cultivating and maintaining strong internal and external relationships. They will embrace accountability, depth of strategy, and a results-oriented approach that distinguishes activity from impact. They will also deeply understand development as both an art and a science and thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

This is a unique opportunity for a seasoned fundraising professional to grow the development infrastructure and capacity of one of the nation’s preeminent civil rights organizations.

Duties and Responsibilities will include:

Strategic and Cross-Functional Leadership

• Work with the President/Executive Director to establish and execute long- and short-term strategic development priorities aimed at increasing support from individuals, foundations, law firms, and the corporate community
• Collaborate with the President/Executive Director and senior management to raise funds in support of the organization’s mission and to coordinate and integrate the work of the development department across the organization
• Foster a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization, including training the board and staff on development best practices
• Develop and execute distinctive brand positioning to attract new supporters and build brand familiarity, partnering with the communications team and senior management to ensure consistent messaging and to align development strategy with program and communications strategy

Fundraising and Relationship Management

• Strengthen existing donor relationships to develop a strong rapport and deep understanding of individual and institutional connections to the organization
• Provide continuous communication and follow-up to donors throughout the year to demonstrate impact and continue to cultivate relationships
• Oversee strategic development of partnerships and alliances in support of development, including the Lawyers’ Committee board of directors, law firms, corporations, foundations, and other stakeholders
• In collaboration with the President/Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer, and Board Development Committee chair, work with board members to identify, cultivate, and solicit prospective donors; coordinate and facilitate the board’s involvement in meeting fundraising goals
• In close partnership with the VP of Communications, develop and utilize consistent and compelling donor communications and solicitations

Team Management

• Lead, inspire, and empower the Development team to work inclusively, collaboratively, effectively, and efficiently, establishing clear performance standards, benchmarks for success, and a path for increasing communication and cooperation
• Establish overall development objectives and specific goals for members of the development team and plans to ensure success

Development Operations

• Develop and manage the development department’s annual budget
• Design and implement a robust development strategy that maintains and broadens the organization’s financial support from foundations, individuals, law firms, businesses, and others, by nurturing existing relationships as well as identifying new and diverse sources of funding
• Develop an annual fundraising plan that establishes strategies and timelines for reaching fundraising goals, and metrics to chart progress
• Align development strategies to operate in harmony with programmatic and communications strategies

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:
The Lawyers’ Committee embraces diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We strongly encourage candidates of color and candidates from underrepresented communities to apply. The Lawyers’ Committee does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, pregnancy, parental status, family responsibility, personal appearance, genetic information, matriculation, immigration status, union activities, political affiliation, military veteran status, credit information or any other status protected under law.