Job Announcement: Director of Development

The Middle East Forum (MEF) seeks a full-time, resident Director of Development.

Position:

Reporting to and working in close collaboration with the Director, the Director of Development will design and execute a comprehensive development strategy that enables MEF to carry out its mission and grow. Supervising a staff of three, the Director of Development also will oversee MEF’s donor relationship management systems.

Responsibilities:

Development strategy:

  • Participate in developing the annual fundraising campaign, which includes identifying funding needs, targets, and approaches and setting the timetable;
  • Supervise the planning of fundraising events;
  • Participate in planned giving efforts in collaboration with the Director of Special Projects and the Director.

Campaign implementation:

  • Participate in identifying and cultivating new donors and responding to donor inquiries;
  • Maintain, track, and report to the Director on solicitation efforts to individuals, corporations, and foundations;
  • Supervise the scheduling of fundraising calls by the Director and President;
  • Review and approve solicitation and thank you letters and tax acknowledgment forms and ensure these are sent in a timely fashion;
  • Coordinate the production, review, and dissemination of development materials.

Staff supervision:

  • Supervise the Development Associate, Executive Assistant, and Outreach Manager;
  • Define goals, targets, and benchmarks and evaluate progress;
  • Determine best practices, standard operating procedures, and workflows;
  • Lead bi-weekly strategy sessions to gauge progress, explain new directives, and address feedback.

Technological infrastructure:

  • Ensure the continuous updating of all data and distribution lists for print and electronic mailings;
  • Review with the Controller the monthly reconciliation of MEF’s finances;
  • Ensure the data integrity and security of all confidential information;
  • Ensure the implementation of new technologies and the development of new procedures as needed;
  • Ensure the integration of the donor database with other communications, data tools, and programs.

Candidate qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree. Master’s degree (or professional equivalent) preferred.
  • At least five years of development and/or non-profit experience, including management experience.
  • Proficiency with database and customer relationship management software (preferably Salesforce and ACT!).
  • Experience in conceptualizing, creating, and managing $1+ million annual fundraising campaigns.
  • Computer literacy and technological proficiency in standard word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation applications (Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
  • Organized work habits and high motivation; ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment and under frequent deadlines; careful attention to detail.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong interpersonal skills.
  • Basic agreement with MEF’s outlook. (Please see http://www.meforum.org.)

Location:

  • The successful candidate will work in the Forum’s office in Center City, Philadelphia.

Employment status:

  • This is a full-time, salaried position.

Compensation:

  • Non-profit competitive.

To apply:

Prepare an application that includes:

  • A cover letter indicating your interests, qualifications, and goals.
  • A résumé or curriculum vitae.
  • Names of three references.

When the application is completed:

  • Bundle the entire application as a single document, preferably in Adobe Acrobat (Word is also acceptable).
  • Title it with your name in reverse order, without spacing, as in “ChurchillWinston.”
  • Submit the application online by clicking here by February 5, 2016, at 5 p.m. EST.

About the Middle East Forum:

The Middle East Forum, founded in 1994 and headed by Daniel Pipes, is a research institute based in Philadelphia with an annual budget of $4 million; it promotes American interests in the Middle East and protects Western values from Middle Eastern threats. It accomplishes its mission in three ways:

  • Intellectually, by providing information, context, and policy advice through its publications, websites, and lectures;
  • Operationally, by exerting direct influence through its projects (such as Islamist Watch), each addressing a specific problem; and
  • Philanthropically, by annually distributing $2 million of dedicated Education Fund monies.
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