Director of Advancement

Position Title: 826 New Orleans Director of Advancement 

Desired Start Date: January 15, 2023

Employment status: Full-Time Employee, W-2 Status, 40 Hours per week

Schedule: A typical work week is Monday-Friday 9am-5pm CT; nights and weekends required for special events, board and community meetings. The weekly work schedule is always adjusted to ensure boundaries around a 40-hour work week.

Location/Office: This job requires the candidate to live in or relocate to the New Orleans, LA metro area. The majority of administrative work and meetings are conducted virtually and majority of staff work from a home office except when required to be on-site for programs and meetings.

Compensation and Benefits: Salary Range: $75,000-$80,000, with potential for growth based on meeting fundraising targets. This is a full-time salaried position. Compensation is competitive with similar positions and organizational budget size in the New Orleans area. Benefits and perks include medical insurance (premiums paid by employer), retirement contributions, 15 days of PTO, 7 sick days, and 24 paid holidays, flex-time, professional development, ability to work from home.

About 826 New Orleans: 826 New Orleans is a nonprofit organization. It is our mission to develop a culture of literacy in New Orleans, inspiring the next generation of leaders to be effective communicators, critical thinkers, and civic-minded residents. We offer free writing programs and publishing opportunities at our Youth Writing Center in the 7th Ward and in schools across the city. Our staff and volunteers help students improve young people’s literacy skills, become published authors, and understand the power of their voices on and off the page. Since 2010 we’ve served over 8,000 students and created over 100 publications of student work with the help of over 400 volunteers.

We believe every student, especially those whose voices have been historically marginalized, deserves to write their truths and to be heard. Our creative writing and literacy programs focus on celebrating the humanity of our young people by actively being anti-racist and trauma-informed. 

Culture & Work Environment:  826 New Orleans is part of 826 National, an award-winning national network of youth writing centers. In addition to being an integral member of the 826 National network, 826 New Orleans plays a vital role in the local community. Our program team members have been recognized and honored locally, nationally, and internationally.

826 New Orleans cultivates a creative and courageous workplace. We value innovation and collaboration. We strive to be supportive and accommodating to employee needs for scheduling and work styles, and aim to create a humanizing work environment that prioritizes work/life balance. 

At 826 New Orleans, we believe in a fundraising model that focuses on channeling resources back into the populations we serve. Our students are at the center of our decision-making. We believe in building strong funding relationships that are transparent, and we consider our donors to be important parts of our larger community. We are actively seeking ways to connect with other organizations, as we are advocates of mutual support. 

About Our Budget: 826 New Orleans has an operating budget of $950,000. Our revenue is made up of a combination of foundation support, committed donor base, and corporate support.

Position Summary

826 New Orleans seeks a visionary Director of Advancement who can lead the charge in building a comprehensive fundraising strategy for the long-term advancement and sustainability of our organization and the students we serve. The Director of Advancement oversees all aspects of our Development Department, including the design and execution of a comprehensive fundraising strategy that focuses on securing the resources our students need to thrive. This will include planned campaigns around annual and major gifts from individuals, foundations, corporations, endowments, and special events. We are looking for a results-focused, committed individual who has a passion for creative writing and educational equity. 

The Director of Advancement reports to the Executive Director and is supported by the Board of Directors’ Development Committee and a variety of consultants.

Job Responsibilities

Department and Systems Management [25%]

• Develop and execute annual and multi-year fundraising plans, including individual and corporate giving, grants, and special events, to meet organizational goals;
• Participate as part of the organization’s leadership team in the development and management of the strategic direction for 826 New Orleans, and integrate the team’s work to support the organizational vision and mission;
• Evaluate and analyze the existing development program and implement effective changes to increase overall development performance;
• Supervise development staff, contractors, and volunteers in supporting the development department with grant applications, databases, and events;
• Manage the donor database and ensure the accuracy of donor records;
• Guide the board, staff, and volunteers in development best practices; 
• Attend staff meetings, monthly 826 National Network Development Director calls, 826 National Communications calls, development committee meetings, and other professional development workshops;
• Work collaboratively with the Programs team to articulate their work and set goals;
• All other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Donor Relations Management [50%]

• Provide assistance and leadership to the Executive Director to build and maintain long term relationships with donors and to cultivate effective, meaningful relationships with prospects that result in measurable results;
• Develop and cultivate relationships with donors and key-decision makers;
• Direct the creation and execution of major appeals and fundraising events including cocktail parties, dinners, peer-to-peer fundraisers, benefit shows, larger annual events, and virtual events
• Oversee preparation of high-quality grant proposals and reports and meet all deadlines;

Organizational Communications Management  [25%]

• Coordinate the development and production of collateral materials related to fundraising campaigns, events, programs, and activities;
• Manage 826 New Orleans social media channels, newsletter, and print collateral;
• Provide strategic direction for 826 New Orleans communications strategy;
• Coordinate 826 New Orleans community outreach strategy.
• Update relevant sections of 826 New Orleans publication materials, including website;

Experience & Qualifications

• A passion for the mission, vision and values of 826 New Orleans;
• At least 3-4 years of fundraising experience and a minimum of 2 years in a leadership role;
• Respect for youth and their home and school communities;
• Ability to work with a culturally diverse population and a variety of stakeholders and audiences;
• Proven experience and proficiency at developing and maintaining a large number and wide range of relationships, both externally and internally in an organization;
• Ability to self-motivate, work independently, and lead a team;
• Enthusiastic and creative problem-solving abilities;
• Ability to successfully address challenges and make decisions in alignment with strategic organizational objectives;
• Proven organizational, prioritization, and project management skills;
• Proficient with computer applications—a thorough understanding of Google Applications, Microsoft Office Excel, and donor development software (Salesforce and basic data analysis experience preferred).

Position will be open until filled. The application process includes a resume review, a phone screening, 2 tasks, and 2 interviews. Due to COVID19, all interviews will be held virtually.

All full-time employees are required to be vaccinated for Covid-19

826 New Orleans is an equal opportunity employer committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply. 826 New Orleans does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, religion, sexual orientation, political orientation, disability, veteran status, or gender identity or expression.

How to Apply: Submit  your application via the form linked HERE by December 11th at 11:59PM. The application requires a resume, cover letter, 1-2 work samples, and references. Studio Reciprocity is conducting this search. If you have any questions, please email us info@studioreciprocity.com. Label the email “826 New Orleans search questions”. All applications and expressed interest in this position will remain confidential.