Associate Director of Foundations Systems and Operations

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy; and to combat climate change. We partner with thousands of groups, supporters, individuals, and communities to engage the critical environmental issues of our time and bring about positive change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We achieve this by hiring people who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Bozeman, Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Juneau, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Seattle, Tallahassee, and Washington, DC.

The Associate Director of Foundations Systems and Operations reports to the Director of Foundation Relations and is an integral part of a growing Foundation Relations team; a team of 10, including a Director, Deputy Director, two Senior Development Officers, four Development Officers, a Development Writer, and a Foundations Associate. Foundation grants currently provide 30% of the organization’s annual $100M+ revenue. Earthjustice has launched a $750 million, five-year fundraising campaign of which $150M will come from institutional donors. The Associate Director works in a strategic capacity to develop systems and processes for the Foundation Relations team to ensure maximum efficiency in coordination with our Finance, Litigation Operations, and Development Operations, Research, & Evaluation teams. Informed by the strategic direction of the Director of Foundation Relations, the Associate Director of Foundations Systems and Operations leads in all areas of departmental reporting, systems, and analytics. They coordinate and improve existing reports as well as design new ways to report that meet emergent quantitative and qualitative data needs.

In addition, the position directly supervises the Foundations Associate to assess the administrative needs of foundation officers and researches, develops, and implements strategic solutions for foundation fundraising efforts and prospecting in response to those needs. Moreover, the Associate Director helps the Development Operations team create a centralized system to meet the data entry needs of the Foundation Relations team for portfolio and prospect management activities. This data includes, but is not limited to, foundation correspondence and meeting notes, foundation records and work plans, and grant information, ensuring data hygiene and consistency. The Associate Director also works with the Finance team to ensure the development and maintenance of systems to produce program budgets, project budgets, and expense reports in a timely manner. They work with the Litigation Operations team to ensure the development and maintenance of systems to capture quantitative and qualitative metrics for analysis and evaluation of our programmatic work to be shared with institutional donors. And the Associate Director maintains ongoing communication and works directly with other teams, particularly with the Information Technology team and across Development teams to maintain alignment on collaborative projects.

Ideal candidate will work out of the San Francisco office.

Consideration will also be given to candidates willing to work remotely from New York, NY.

Other remote candidates will be considered if located in a state where we currently have an office including: Anchorage, Juneau, Los Angeles, Tallahassee, Miami, Honolulu, Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.

Salary may differ due to location. (Note all Earthjustice staff are working remotely while offices are closed due to COVID-19).

Responsibilities:

Database/Systems Project Management and Coordination (50%)

• In coordination with Foundation Relations staff, develop, research, and implement procedures and systems solutions within our donor database to ensure the effective use of staff time and available technical resources. Draft and maintain accurate documentation of system workflows and procedures.
• Assess needs of foundation officers and writers to develop and implement strategic solutions for portfolio management, including researching best available tools and systems and sharing best practices with the team.
• Track grant proposals and reports to foundations in the database and provide data to team.
• Coordinate with Finance on systems for streamlining budget development and tracking and reporting revenue for each program area.
• Develop reports and systems to track Foundation team’s fundraising progress.
• Assist Director and Deputy Director in monthly fundraising reporting using the donor database and Tableau.
• Oversee moves management system for identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities.
• Serve as the team’s point person for generating program-specific revenue reports.
• Ensure team systems and tools are used effectively and that project execution is done accurately and in accordance with all adopted departmental and organizational policies and procedures.

Management 20%:

• Recruit and hire qualified candidates who fit position requirements and the work environment.
• Promote change in terms of the expected benefits, as well as removing or lowering the impact of potential obstacles.
• Set clear team direction that aligns with Earthjustice strategy, mission, and vision.
• Develop staff by identifying and encouraging training and professional development opportunities appropriate to role and create development plans for all staff.
• Provide staff with consistent performance feedback—both positive and constructive— and acts as a coach and mentor.
• Create a learning culture, by encouraging debriefing after completion of significant stages of projects.
• Ensure that any direct reports who have supervisory responsibility are properly executing those functions.
• Create a respectful and inclusive work environment for team and model respectful and inclusive behavior.
• Promptly address micro-aggressions and other concerns brought to their attention.
• Resolve interpersonal conflict among team members and brings in outside facilitators as needed.
• Communicate regularly with existing employees and encourage staff to raise concerns and provide ongoing feedback.
• Create or identify strategic opportunities for team building and individual and overall staff engagement with one another in order to strengthen teamwork, interaction, and collaboration.
• Value and utilize individual differences and talents to improve employee satisfaction and the quality of collective work.
• Celebrate successes and help team members to understand and manage setbacks.

Ensures Data Entry and Integrity for Foundation Relations Team (10%)

• Work with the Foundations Associate to ensure all moves, activities, and foundation engagement information are captured in the database in an accurate and timely fashion including:
• Proposals, reports, and financial information;
• Visits, phone calls, email communication, and other cultivation and stewardship strategies; and
• Strategy documents for current funders and new prospects.
• Oversee the execution of data hygiene projects to ensure accurate foundation information is reflected in donor database.
• Ensure consistency and create a protocol for data gathering and data entry for Foundation Relations team.
• In collaboration with Foundations Associate, assist the Director and Deputy Director of Foundation Relations in the fiscal year-end process for donor plans, as well as creation of new fiscal year plans.

Database Training and Administration (10%)

• Train Foundation Relations team members on the use of portfolio management systems.
• Represent the Foundation Relations team on working groups with Major Gifts, Development Operations, Finance, and Information Technology staff to ensure the coordination and alignment of activities and processes across teams.
• Work with the Information Technology and Development Operations teams to implement updated software systems and data management processes.
• Remain current in database developments and fundraising systems by attending meetings/conferences and participating in training programs.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Training and Engagement (10%)

• Develop a strong working knowledge of Earthjustice’s initiatives in order to educate and inform donors and prospects about our mission and work/impact.
• Participate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion trainings/informational sessions to develop a deeper understanding of Earthjustice’s values and program work.
• Serve as a member of non-fundraising organizational/departmental working group or planning committee, as appropriate.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and minimum of five years of relevant experience, or Associate’s degree and five to seven years of relevant experience preferred.

Management and other essential skills:

• Ability to effectively manage a diverse team with emotional intelligence (self-awareness and understating of the impact of their behavior) and cultural humility (an understanding of the need for additional learning about different cultures, backgrounds, and orientations and implementation of that learning in daily management practices).
• Ability to give and receive regular formal and informal feedback in a timely, constructive, respectful, and consistent manner and to incorporate debriefing into the team’s operations.
• Understands the individual and team strengths and areas for development and develops plans accordingly.
• Commitment to and experience in developing team skills and talents to meet the evolving needs of the organization.
• Awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
• Contributes to recruiting, hiring, developing and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. Proven leader, coach, and motivator of staff.
• Proficiency with CRMs and donor databases to create queries, produce reports, and employ advanced functions; working knowledge of Raiser’s Edge or Blackbaud CRM is highly preferred.
• Experience in a nonprofit or executive setting preferred.
• Exemplary organizational skills and an ability to develop and effectively utilize systems to manage large quantities of data and details.
• Capability to manage complex issues creatively, strategically, and effectively.
• Strong initiative, self-motivation, and flexibility; ability to make sound judgments and independent decisions and work collaboratively as a member of a successful team.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks, meet deadlines, prioritize assignments, and work with grace under pressure.
• Ability to use effective interpersonal skills, discretion, and diplomacy to work and communicate with a diverse group of people, including donors, volunteers, the public, and staff.
• Meticulous attention to detail including excellent attention to data hygiene.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Internet searches.
• Professional, positive, and approachable attitude.
• Background and/or interest in environmental issues preferred.
• Sense of humor desired.
• Demonstrate an awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations.
• Contribute to recruiting, hiring, developing and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Directly Supervises 1 FTE: Foundations Associate.

Salary range is based on experience and location

Salary range in San Francisco, CA or New York, NY:  $113,500 - $126,100

Salary range may differ for other locations.

We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits that are comprehensive and competitive. We also offer an extremely congenial work environment and a casual dress code.

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following via Jobvite:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application.  No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies.

Click here to apply online