Full-Time Development Director
Job Description
Full position information here: https://www.genderjustice.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/gender-justice-development-director.pdf
Organization:
Gender Justice and Gender Justice Action are nonprofit legal, policy and political advocacy
organizations based in St. Paul, Minnesota working in Minnesota and North Dakota to advance
gender equity through the law. We fight discrimination based on sex, gender, sexual orientation,
or gender identity. We represent clients directly in state and federal court and before
administrative agencies in impact and strategic litigation cases. In addition to pursuing justice
through the legal system, we also advocate for policies that expand gender equity and educate the
public about their rights and how to fight gender discrimination. We employ grassroots
organizing, coalition building, and strategic communications and narrative strategies to create the
movement momentum and cultural conditions for gender equity to flourish. We are also the
institutional home of the UnRestrict Minnesota coalition and campaign which works to protect,
expand, and destigmatize access to abortion care–and all reproductive healthcare—in Minnesota
through public education, advocacy, and the law.
Position Summary:
The Development Director is the executive in charge of the development team, focused on
fundraising for Gender Justice’s entities (c3 and c4) in Minnesota and North Dakota. The total
budget for both organizations is around $3.5M with the majority of funding coming from
foundation grants, then individual gifts, and some earned income. The development team works
to ensure that there are sufficient resources for GJ/A to lead as a powerful advocate across broad
segments of the progressive gender justice movement in the region. The creative and passionate
professionals of the development team play an essential role in driving GJ/A’s mission through a
robust resource development strategy consisting of both institutional supporters and individual
giving.
The Development Director (DD) is a critical position in defining the vision and stewarding the
growth of the fundraising infrastructure at GJ/A. The Development Director works closely with
the Executive Director and reports directly to the Deputy Director. The Development Director
owns the fundraising bottom line for GJ/A and manages the Senior Manager of Institutional
Giving and Development Coordinator. The DD is also a key member of GJ/A’s Leadership Team
and works collaboratively with teams across the organization in furtherance of resource
development. This position regularly interacts with the both of GJ/A boards overall and staff its
Fundraising Committee.
Responsibilities:
The Development Director is a member of the leadership team and is responsible for managing
the operations of the development department. This role leads the organization’s fundraising
strategy in partnership with the Executive Director and Deputy Director and with input from the
Board. Duties include but are not limited to:
Department Leadership
● Lead GJ/A’s fundraising and stewardship strategy, including individual giving and
institutional partnerships, by developing an in-depth understanding of GJ/A’s
programmatic work and translating it to donors to enhance fundraising potential.
● Create annual department goals, objectives, and action plans to execute GJ/A’s
fundraising strategy, including directing donor engagement and cultivation activities for
new, prospective, and current donors (issue-specific touch points, cultivation
opportunities, and events – internal and external).
● Manage the overall strategy of the development team.
● Own the bottom line for annual goals —set in collaboration with the Executive Director,
Deputy Director, and Board Fundraising Committee— including dollars raised, renewal
targets, and donor pipeline development.
● Own integration of organizational databases into interdepartmental processes and
workflows to maintain and augment a highly efficient, nimble development department,including the use of ongoing data analysis and relationship management related to all
aspects of the annual giving program.
● Work in close partnership with the Finance team of GJ/A to ensure accurate revenue
tracking and analysis.
● Work in close collaboration with GJ/A’s Communications team on shared
communications to members and donors and joint strategies for engagement and
messaging.
Institutional Partnerships and Individual Giving
● Manage a portfolio of donor engagement, cultivation, and stewardship activities for new,
prospective, and current donors, including issue-specific touch points, briefings,
relationship-building opportunities, and events.
● Work closely with the Senior Manager of Institutional Giving to drive a streamlined
system for grants research, key reports, and proposals, including the ability to obtain
input from appropriate teams across GJ/A.
● Lead and facilitate internal communication systems, data management, and reporting
with operations, legal, advocacy, and leadership teams, including driving the utilization
of EveryAction across the team and appropriate parts of the organization for
development-related activities.
● Manage digital fundraising initiatives including email, social media, and giving day
campaigns.
● Evaluate gift opportunities and giving vehicles and their alignment for donors. Where
appropriate, develop, write, and present proposals to individual donors, in collaboration
with relevant teams.
● Work in partnership with the Board of Directors to leverage their networks in pursuit of
institutional partnerships and donor cultivation and stewardship.
Organizational Leadership
● Cultivate an organizational and team environment that fosters collaboration, creativity,
and continuous learning.
● Collaborate with the Executive Director, Deputy Director, and the rest of the Leadership
Team to set the tone and direction for the organization, including weighing in on and
implementing policies, organizing and participating in staff-wide meetings and events,
and setting organizational goals and managing progress.
● Represent GJ/A publicly to external funders and partners.
● Lead special projects, as needed, and other duties, as assigned.
Qualifications:
The Development Director will be a development professional with an established career
cultivating and raising resources in support of causes and/or candidates. They should be an
effective spokesperson and expert resource for individual and foundation donors, and thrive in
opportunities to represent the organization at events, conferences, and in the media. This person
not only has an aptitude for data and budget management but also creates and oversees proactive
systems to streamline workflow in a rapid-response fundraising environment. They should
possess a deep commitment to and understanding of current gender justice issues that intersect
racial, economic, criminal, and climate justice. The Development Director should have prior
experience working within a structured and effective development department and bring an
entrepreneurial and creative approach to their work. This position is ideal for someone who loves
cultivating relationships and is looking to build upon or continue an established career in fund
development to ensure that people of all genders have a meaningful right to bodily autonomy,
safety, health, and opportunity.
Qualifications include:
● A minimum of 7 years of development experience and 3 years of supervisory experience,
preferably in an executive position.
● Experience with strategic and annual planning, project management, and process
improvement efforts.
● Enthusiasm for the organization’s mission and campaigns, as well as a passion for
participating in GJ/A’s long-term sustainability.
● Highly effective communicator with demonstrated experience conceptualizing and
conveying impact in a compelling way to key stakeholders (donors, board members, and
prospects) through pitches, proposals, presentations, and briefings.
● A track record of managing collaborative and high-performing teams, and a commitment
to mentorship and growth of team members.
● A talent for organizing work and developing workflow systems, tolerant of some
uncertainty, with high standards for quality and productivity in a fast-paced environment.
● Ability to solve problems and make decisions, apply close attention to detail; coordinate,
synthesize, and track large amounts of information.
● Strong familiarity with computer systems, including high-level proficiency in CRMs, MS
Office and Google Suite, and a willingness and ability to use new systems and
technology; experience with technical tools such as Every Action and Asana is a plus, but
not required.
● Experience working in a confidential environment and the ability to exercise discretion
and independent judgment.
● Strong data analysis and evaluation skills related to all aspects of fundraising.
● Experience with cultivation and stewardship of individual donors.
● Skilled at establishing and maintaining effective working relationships, including the
ability to communicate effectively, lead influence, and collaborate with colleagues in a
diverse work environment.
● Excited to help lead a dynamic, fast-moving organization with humor, humility, and a
commitment to collaboration and shared successes.
Not sure you meet all qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that members of
under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every
qualification, when, in fact, they often do! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive
environment and strongly encourage you to apply.
Employees are eligible for employer-subsidized health and dental insurance, unlimited
paid discretionary leave, and 3% employer contribution to retirement plan. 12-weeks
fully paid parental and medical leave for employees working at least 20 hrs/week after
six months. 12-weeks fully paid sabbatical leave after five years.
Gender Justice is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to build a staff reflective of our values
of equity and inclusion with regard to race, culture, ethnicity, class, religion, physical ability,
age, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation. As an organization working in solidarity
with the reproductive justice, economic justice, and racial justice movements, Gender Justice is
committed to fostering the leadership of women, people of color, Native and indigenous people,
LGBQ and trans people, immigrants, and others living in marginalized communities.
How to Apply
Submit PDF resume and cover letter to this link. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, with preference given to applications received by January 15, 2025 – please apply before this date if possible.36 total views, 0 today