Posted on November 14, 2012

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Director of Development

Children’s Rights is a dynamic and growing advocacy organization whose mission is to reform the child welfare system throughout the United States so that abused and neglected children dependent on state foster care systems can have a chance for a reasonable childhood. Its primary device to achieve these reforms is the use of class action litigation, which has proven its power to compel and persuade the reform of numerous child welfare systems.

Children’s Rights began this work in 1979, as the Children’s Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union, and became independent from the ACLU in 1995. It has expanded many times over, and has become far more sophisticated about what system changes contribute to the successful reform of child welfare systems, and the legal approaches necessary to create the leverage to compel reform. The organization’s focus is on achieving meaningful and beneficial change in the lives of abused and neglected children by reforming the systems on which these children are dependent.

Over the last 17 years, Children’s Rights has grown from a staff of 8 to 45 and to an annual budget of approximately $8M, and is now actively involved in reform campaigns in 12 jurisdictions. Because the key to the organization’s work is the effective reform of a complex government system, Children’s Rights spends a good deal of its “litigation” time conducting an in-depth analysis of the particular system (made possible through legal fact-gathering devices that are triggered through a lawsuit) to understand the causes of the system’s problems so that solutions can be designed, implemented and actually produce measurable benefits for children – usually under the auspices and with the enforcement authority of the court. An added benefit to this process is that Children’s Rights often learns more about how a failing child welfare system operates than those who are actually operating it, and is able to make this information available to the public, to create public and political support for the reforms that are necessary.

These reform campaigns are supported by an active policy department, growing communications and public education efforts, and other, non-litigation approaches to advocacy.

For more information, please visit www.childrensrights.org.

Position

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director and working closely with the Development Committee of the Board of Directors, the Director of Development is a member of the organization’s senior management team. The Director of Development is responsible for implementing and leading a development strategy with the goal of continuously cultivating relationships and increasing philanthropic revenue to advance our mission. He/she serves as a direct liaison to individual donors and foundation executives, and is proactive in building new partnerships with individuals and institutions.

Children’s Rights is seeking a dynamic, creative, entrepreneurial leader who is willing to roll-up his/her sleeves to do all tasks necessary to ensure the success of the development effort. The successful candidate must possess the interpersonal, communication, conceptual and analytical skills to compellingly explain our program and inspire support for one of the most effective advocacy organizations for at-risk youth.

Key Responsibilities

• Board Liaison and Development: Provide leadership and staff service to the Board of Directors and Development Committee in carrying out fundraising responsibilities; work closely with the Board to ensure that board members are motivated, engaged and energized by their association with Children’s Rights.
• Individual Donors: Proactively research, identify, cultivate and independently solicit potential major donors.
• Foundation and Corporate Donors: Research, identify and prepare grant proposals and reports for foundation and corporate support.
• Stewardship: Develop and implement stewardship initiatives aimed at cultivating deeper ties with donors.
• Events: Plan and coordinate special fundraising events, including an annual gala.
• Collaboration with Marketing and Communications Department: Coordinate with the Director of Communications and Marketing to ensure integrated marketing and development initiatives and develop materials that are in line with the organization’s brand identity.
• Information systems and reporting: Further build departmental information and technology systems, including prospect tracking, reporting, mailings and on-line fundraising tools. Monitor and report regularly on the progress of development initiatives to senior management and the Board of Directors.

• Fundraising: Proven fundraising generalist with at least a 7-year track record of securing financial support from individuals, foundations and corporations/law firms.
• Relationship Building: Takes initiative and actively seeks to deepen current donor relationships and forge new ones; record of fostering successful long-term relationships with funders. Skilled at building relationship with program staff and across different levels of the organization through effective collaboration.
• Communications: Advanced interpersonal, writing and communication skills; able to provide samples of compelling proposals upon request.
• Understanding of and Commitment to Mission: Passionate about Children’s Rights mission and able to articulate our programs in clear and compelling terms.
• Event Planning: Experience in leading, planning and managing fundraising events and other development projects.
• Leadership: Highly competent manager of staff; operates with a high degree of personal and professional integrity and inspires the respect and confidence of donors, foundation executives and Board members.
• Organizational Skills: Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail and persistent but appropriate follow-up with prospects and donors.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred.

Application Instructions

Please submit a cover letter stating reason for interest along with résumé via email to HR@childrensrights.org and include “Director of Development” in the subject line or via mail to: Children’s Rights
330 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10001
Attention: HR

Due to the high volume of submissions, only applicants of interest will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.

Children's Rights is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, and women, people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.