Director of Development

Director of Development

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), which shared in the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997, is a U.S.-based international advocacy organization working at the intersection of medicine, science, and law. With a global network of thousands of medical, scientific, and legal experts, PHR uses the power of medical and scientific evidence to document violations of human rights and humanitarian law, prevent abuses, protect survivors, and promote justice and universal human rights for all.

Building upon its highly respected place in the field, and supported by a committed and talented team, PHR seeks a Director of Development.

Work Authorization: Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

Location: Headquarters, New York, NY

Reports to: Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer

Organizational Overview

PHR was founded in 1986 by five physicians who were united in the belief that health professionals, with their specialized skills, ethical duties, and credible voices, are uniquely positioned to prevent harm and promote respect for human rights. Since its founding, PHR has built a long and distinguished record of accomplishment by conducting groundbreaking investigations and advocacy, in concert with strategic partners.

PHR’s approach includes extensive documentation of the use of illegal and inhumane weapons in armed conflicts, attacks on civilians, and the physical and psychological impacts of torture and sexual violence as a weapon of war. Other core activities include protecting the rights of those seeking asylum in the United States, the human rights implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, and halting attacks on medical facilities and frontline health professionals.

Role Description

Under new executive leadership, PHR is seeking a creative, motivated and experienced Director of Development to build, articulate and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy for the organization, encompassing individual giving, institutional funders, major gifts, annual fund giving, and fundraising events, including the annual gala. This position offers an exciting opportunity to partner with PHR’s leadership team and play a central role in developing and fortifying PHR’s full fund-raising potential at a critical moment in the organization’s 40-year history.

Reporting to the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, and as a member of the Executive Management Team, the Director of Development will work in close collaboration with the Board of Directors, and other senior staff. They will manage a development department team of seven to expand current fundraising efforts and build a strategically comprehensive development operation. A primary focus of the position will be to fortify and implement a major gifts program and leadership gifts program and working with the institutional team will continue to build and foster relationships with public and private foundations, both internationally and in the United States.

The ideal candidate will possess proven leadership, management, budgetary, and organizational skills; a strong record of securing new donors and cultivation and solicitation of major donors; experience with donor acquisition programs, substantial experience working with Boards and executive staff; and the energy, enthusiasm, professionalism, and drive to achieve ambitious fundraising goals. Demonstrable experience securing major gifts in the $100,000 + range is essential.

Responsibilities

S/he will oversee and expand a team which includes; Director of Digital Marketing, Digital Communications Manager, Senior Manager – Institutional Development, Institutional Development Officer, Individual Giving Manager, Senior Grant Writer, and Project Manager, Development Operations Associates, and consultants.

The overall purpose of the role is to secure sustainable and diverse funding across several income streams to ensure continuous and stable funding to support PHR’s mission.

The Director of Development will:

• Maintain and expand a strong financial base for the organization by strategically utilizing resources to develop, build and sustain diverse funding sources.
• Provide dynamic and innovative leadership for PHR’s fundraising efforts, building an infrastructure that supports short- and long-term goals, including the implementation of a major gifts program, annual fund and an online fundraising strategy.
• Inspire and engage a group of high-networth donors, interested in promoting human rights. Deepen relationships with current donors while launching initiatives to identify and target other individuals capable of making major financial contributions.
• Lead the design, implementation and monitoring of a global resource mobilization strategy to strengthen institutional income and partnerships, including bilateral, multi-lateral and foundation donors, to deliver and sustain program impact.
• Lead the development of an acquisition and prospect research program to expand the pool of institutional, major and individual gift donors.
• Assist in the identification, recruitment and cultivation of Board members on a national basis, identifying key leaders with an affinity for the mission and programs of PHR. Build a volunteer structure that encourages a peer-to-peer model of cultivation and solicitation. Work with the Board on both of their “giving” and “getting” strategies and solicitations as part of their board fundraising responsibilities.
• Develop individual stewardship plans to guide and support the Executive Director and senior staff who are engaged with fundraising. Utilize key leaders’ time and talents appropriately with respect to cultivation, solicitation and stewardship efforts.
• Provide insights and develop new strategies and tailored cases for support to enhance the organization’s relationships with the foundation community.
• Work with the Advocacy and Communications teams to oversee a comprehensive development communications plan across multiple channels, to enhance messaging at all levels of the organization, keeping donors and the public informed, thanked and involved; providing vehicles for more effective Board and staff fundraising communications; and ensuring increased giving opportunities through our Web site and social media.
• Develop, implement and follow through on all fund-raising events, especially the annual gala, and ensure that events are strategically positioned to raise funds effectively and efficiently.
• Oversee development operations, including gift accounting and acknowledgement, computer system operations, the tracking of gifts and grants, planned gift distributions, donor stewardship and integration with PHR’s data systems. Reconcile revenue with PHR’s finance department.
• Oversee all development personnel and activities; recruit and train a diverse and high-quality staff that is well-prepared to meet the ongoing challenges of a fast-moving organization; define job responsibilities and conduct performance reviews for all Development staff.
• Foster an environment that rewards new ideas and entrepreneurship that builds confidence, encourages teamwork, and promotes diversity; celebrates achievements and set clear expectations for future success.
• Plan and carefully manage the development budget, ensuring that funds are spent efficiently and effectively in support of PHR’s mission.
• Work collaboratively and in coordination with other department directors, including through active participation in the work of the entire Executive Management Team. Conduct effective interdepartmental communications and provide regular summaries of all development activities to PHR directors.

Requirements

• A demonstrable track record of meeting targets and growing revenue across all revenue streams, with demonstrable experience soliciting and securing $100,000 + gifts.
• Experience formulating and executing a successful, comprehensive multi-million-dollar fundraising program at national and international levels, including annual campaigns, fundraising events, private foundation giving’s, institutional grants, major gifts, direct mail, and digital fundraising.
• Excellent relationship building skills and a proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward individual gifts and institutional grants. Experience with donor acquisition, cultivation and moves management systems and processes.
• Strong management skills, both strategic and operations, and a demonstrated ability to build, manage, mentor and motivate an effective team. Proven ability to set and achieve targets.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior leadership, Board members, staff, and volunteers, providing strong support and inspiring them to productive action.
• Excellent written, presentation and communication skills.
• Proven ability for operational efficiency and optimal use of resources; the skills to plan, monitor and manage a budget.
• A strong personal commitment to human rights issues. An affinity for PHR’s mission will be essential in successfully developing a vision for the development operation.

Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate

• An energetic, dynamic leader who has a 7 to 10-year track record of effective management and fundraising.
• Knowledge of and experience using a fundraising database CRM such as Salesforce.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

Salary and Benefits

This is a full-time position located in New York, State with a hybrid work model. Other locations will be considered for exceptional candidates. The salary range is $150,000 – $175,000 and is commensurate with experience. PHR offers comprehensive employer-paid benefits, including medical, dental, disability, and life insurance, a retirement savings plan, and generous vacation.