Associate Director

Description:

Basic Function:

The Associate Director of Strategic Engagement and Development supports the fundraising capabilities of the Leadership Division during a rapid period of growth and momentum. This position is responsible for supporting the donor development process and leading a lean development team that serves all programs of and across the Leadership Division. In particular, the position has a focus on providing direct support to the Division’s EVP fundraising efforts. The right candidate will be a skilled fundraiser comfortable with donor-facing engagements, as well as a strong builder of back-office capabilities to maintain robust and sustainable fundraising operations.

The essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following. All of these responsibilities will be delivered with an unwavering commitment to upholding and elevating our values, principles, and standards when evaluating and forging relationships with donors:

Direct Portfolio Management

• Develop and implement a strategic fundraising plan for the Leadership Division in partnership with the Division EVP, prioritizing pipeline building, in-person cultivation and stewardship planning, and other donor-centric engagements.
• Be able to serve as a frontline fundraising point of contact with select prospective funders to the Leadership Division and special initiatives with the goal of moving prospects through the end-to-end fundraising cycle with strong donor-centric experiences and stewardship.
• Closely support the Executive Vice President, Leadership Division in the management and stewardship of current and prospective individual donors within the Leadership Division portfolio, optimizing for efficiencies, providing project plans/management, drafting and coordinating correspondence, providing supporting materials, and tracking meetings and minutes on donor matters.
• Operationalize best processes and practices for ongoing cultivation and stewardship of external stakeholders at the Division level.
• Develop, manage, and execute fundraising events with the goal of creating a calendar of year-round donor engagement opportunities that advance prospects through key stages in the fundraising lifecycle.

  Required Knowledge, Education and Experience:

• Have spent at least five years in a Development or related role. Senior-level experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience developing and running major fundraising campaigns to secure 6 and 7-figure gifts. While it is not necessary to have sourced gifts without the assistance of colleagues previously, there is an expectation that the Associate Director will do so in this role.
• Strong interest in the work and mission of the Aspen Institute and the ability to represent the organization externally.
• A strong communicator, with exceptional written and oral communication skills, at all levels, one-on-one and in groups.
• Excellent cultural competence and experience working directly with constituents from diverse racial, ethnic, socio-economic, and geographic backgrounds, and are committed to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion through your work.
• Service-driven and collaborative, serving as a thought partner to colleagues, with a spirit of “no job is beneath me.”
• Strategic, thoughtful, and organized with time management and prioritization of tasks; strong follow up skills.
• A resourceful self-starter with consistent follow-through. Known for working effectively independently and as part of a diverse team.
• Possess knowledge of Salesforce fundraising software (strongly preferred) and have proficiency with Google Workspace (strongly preferred) and Microsoft Office.
• Impeccable attention to detail and ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks.
• Strong judgment and ability to make decisions with the information available, yet, at the same time, know when to ask for help.
• Ability to remain clear headed and make sound decisions under pressure.
• Use of appropriate discretion when dealing with confidential information relating to donors.