Posted on July 17, 2012

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Senior Director for Development

The Middle East Institute is recruiting for the position of Senior Director for Development. Along with the President, and Vice President, this senior level position helps direct one of Washington’s oldest and esteemed associations dedicated to the study of the Middle East region. At a time when the region is embroiled in a historical transition, you will be working with a distinguished Board of Governors, corporate and private donors, foreign embassies, and experts/scholars on some of the most exciting issues of our day.

About MEI:

The Middle East Institute was established over 64 years ago with the mission “to promote knowledge and understanding between the American people and the people of the Middle East.” Today, we publish the highly respected Middle East Journal, run a language institute, an internship program, a library and a very active program of panels and conferences. We also proud to host Oman’s Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center, as well as The Center for Turkish Studies, the Center for Pakistan Studies, and the Iran Program. More than 40 affiliated scholars and experts write and speak on Middle East issues. Please visit our website at www.mei.edu to get a picture of the wide scope of our programs and impact.

Role and Responsibilities:

As a member of the senior management team, you will coordinate with the president, vice president, and director for finance and operations to provide leadership, management and a professional role model for MEI’s younger staff.

The Senior Director for Development is responsible for designing, expanding, and implementing MEI’s fundraising and development strategies to grow the institution.

You will identify new project opportunities supported by institutional funders, oversee proposal development, solicit grants, secure corporate and foundation donations, and organize major gift events. MEI is a membership organization and you will organize individual donor campaigns.

An important part of your work will be to help organize MEI’s annual fundraising banquet. This involves working with the Vice President to program and market a high-profile event, sell tables to corporate and private sponsors, solicit program ads, and cultivate new donors.

You will also work with the program staff to develop funding-related projects. This will include cultivating MEI’s corporate sponsors by organizing corporate breakfasts, lunches and other corporate donor services.

MEI may undertake a capital campaign. In the early stages, responsibilities would involve assisting the Board of Governors in helping develop a capital campaign strategy.

You will supervise and coordinate activities of MEI staff engaged in maintaining a database of contributors and grants with special attention to security and quality controls. This will include generating queries, reports, letters, data exports and collection data as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

The Senior Director for Development will help recruit and then supervise a deputy for development. You share supervision of an assistant. Importantly, you mentor and supervise rotating interns.

Required Experience:

At least 8-10 years of relevant experience in development and fundraising. Experience running or working on a capital campaign is highly desirable.

The successful candidate will have a positive attitude, drive for achievement, collegial manner, strong communication and outreach skills, attention to details, the ability to motivate a team, set priorities, negotiate, and problem solve. Middle East experience not necessary but preferred.

Salary and Benefits:

Annual salary - from $80,000, depending on level of experience.

The Middle East Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from qualified individual regardless of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or ethnic background. The Middle East Institute provides generous health plans for medical, dental, life, disability and a 403(b) plan. Employees are eligible for one free language class (Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish, Farsi) per year taught by MEI’s Department of Languages and Regional Studies.

Application Instructions

Please send cover letter, CV, and contact information for two references to jobs@mei.edu. Include "Senior Director for Development" in the subject line.