DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Director of Development

ABOUT THE POSITION: At this important moment in its history, The Literacy Lab is seeking a Director of Development who is passionate about ensuring that all people have access to the literacy needed for success in school and in life. The ideal person will have a track record in successfully fundraising on behalf of a nonprofit while also growing and mentoring staff. The Director of Development will harmoniously integrate private-sector revenue generation best practices with administrative processes, data and analysis, and overall priorities. The Director of Development will help the organization both sustain current funders and funding levels and lead expansion into high-growth potential funding streams such as individual giving, corporate giving, and events.

Reporting to the Vice President of Revenue & Partnership Strategy, the Director will play a critical role in managing both the day-to-day private fundraising work and relationship building with prospective funders. The Director will lead a team of 2 direct reports for FY26. The Director will have direct managerial oversight of development and fundraising, including institutional giving, individual giving, and corporate giving in partnership with the Vice President and President & CEO. The Director will develop additional fundraising opportunities in The Literacy Lab’s six existing regions and nationally. This is a unique opportunity for an individual interested in building a team that positions philanthropic fundraising to comprise a larger share of the organization’s budget, including creating some new work streams from scratch, and driving new innovations to serve students and communities.

ABOUT THE LITERACY LAB: The Literacy Lab is a national non-profit organization. We believe that literacy is not just a skill, but a fundamental human right. This belief fosters our unwavering desire to ensure that all people have access to evidence-based literacy development to unlock opportunities for success in school and life. Through this work, we aim to build a world where everyone has the literacy to shape their future and make their hopes and aspirations a reality. It is our commitment to people-first, continuous innovation and improvement, and transformative results that fuel everything we do.

We seek staff, leaders, and Fellows who see opportunities in every challenge, maintain a sense of abundance amidst the brutal facts, view holding oneself and others accountable as essential parts of showing care and respect, and use multiple forms of data to guide decisions, actions, and behaviors. We are an organization of people who bring different experiences and perspectives, aligned around a set of shared values, driving toward a common purpose.

The Literacy Lab currently operates in the following locations: Washington, DC; Baltimore, MD; Boston, MA (potential); Atlanta, GA; Cincinnati, OH; and Milwaukee, WI. Since 2009, The Literacy Lab has provided evidence-based literacy instruction to more than 40,000 children to develop early literacy skills.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: The Director will be responsible for the following:

• Collaborate with organizational leadership and staff to develop fundraising strategies to support the organization’s existing operations and growth priorities
• Manage the work of our development team
  • Develop, diversify, grow, and sustain private, philanthropic funding, including institutional giving, individual giving, and events
  • Monitor fundraising trends in the community and regions and adapt as necessary
• In partnership with the Vice President, lead a data-informed approach to setting annual revenue goals for funding (institutional, individual, events), and support overall organization revenue and strategic goals.
• Listen and collaborate effectively, demonstrating the the ability to build a meaningful and robust network of partnerships
• Establish and grow a base of individual giving and implement relationship development and cultivation plans
• In partnership with the President & CEO, implement relationship development and cultivation plans for donors of all giving levels and grow the base of individual and corporate giving for the organization
• Bring forward ideas for new fundraising strategies, evaluate current plans, campaigns, and adjust or discontinue as appropriate
• Ensure that all private fundraising work is aligned to the organization’s mission, vision, and values
• Manage spending plans within the Development team
• Engage and leverage fundraising stewards outside of the department, including board members and regional leaders, to advance fundraising work.
• Ensure that Development team functions as a team that is respectful, flexible, creative, mission driven, and successful
• Hire, manage, set goals with and for, and review the performance of Development staff, and provide strong support and guidance to the team
• Provide leadership and mentorship to a diverse team of professional staff – listening to their ideas; understanding their strengths; and encouraging each member’s professional growth
• Ensure that the values and mission of The Literacy Lab are integrated in the goals and overall workflow of the organization on a daily basis
• Set and maintain accountability to private, philanthropic revenue targets to support the organizational budget, operations and execution of the mission
• Develop the organization’s annual giving plan, in conjunction with the President & CEO and other organizational leaders
• Be an effective and compelling representative for The Literacy Lab at events, site visits, and in meetings
• Work with the Development team, senior leaders, and regional staff to ensure collateral for all fundraising efforts.
• Create and maintain reports to track and monitor fundraising progress to goals and communicate progress to team members
• Uphold high ethical standards in donor communications and relations and ensure compliance with the standards of professional conduct for fundraising
• Develop succession plans for Development function
• Other duties as necessary

START DATE: Position open until filled.

WORK LOCATION: This position will be based in one of The Literacy Lab Locations (DC, GA, MA, MD, OH, WI). We will consider applicants from outside of those regions on a case-by-case basis.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: The salary range for this position is $102,066. Benefits include a flexible work environment, employer-paid health and dental insurance (100% for employee; 50% for family), employer-paid short and long-term disability, employer-paid life insurance, a 403b retirement plan, and paid vacation.

WORK DEMANDS: This position will require out-of-town travel of approximately 20-25 nights per year for training, staff events, fundraising and conferences as well as travel to complete duties and tasks. Performance of duties may require extended hours, evening or weekend work.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & COMPETENCIES: While we will consider a broad range of backgrounds, the ideal candidate would have the following qualifications/experience:

• Commitment to The Literacy Lab’s mission and alignment with our values.
• Bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience that demonstrates exemplary leadership in development, communications, relationship management, fundraising, and business acumen.
• A minimum of 5-7 years of experience
• Ability to work with and among a range of staff and stakeholders.
• Strong leadership and management skills that have influenced positive organizational culture, and demonstrated success in building, managing, leading, and motivating professionals.
• Conceptual, analytical and strategic thinker.
• Strong relationship building and stewardship skills with external champions.
• High level of integrity and trustworthiness.
• Blend of expertise in fundraising and change management–comfort making “asks”.
• Experience working closely with Staff and Board, as necessary.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, listening and coaching skills to counsel a wide range of staff and volunteers; ability to interact sensitively with a variety of personalities.
• Strong problem-solving skills, bringing innovation and creativity.
• Exceptional time and project management skills with an ability to manage and prioritize multiple high-level projects involving multiple people simultaneously.
• Organized, detail-oriented and creative thinker.
• Team building skills with a collaborative management style.
• Flexibility and an ability to bring joy to and find joy in the work.

PREFERRED SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Experience in fundraising for an organization with a $7,000,000-10,000,000+ budget.
• Experience fundraising across multiple states, cities, and/or regions
• Passion and experience for working in an entrepreneurial environment.

The Literacy Lab is an equal opportunity employer that values and recruits a diverse, inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. The Literacy Lab participates in the federal government's E-Verify program to determine employment eligibility. To learn more about the E-Verify program, please click here.