Director of Developnment

Director of Development

About Aspire Institute:

Aspire Institute Inc., co-founded by Harvard Business School Professors Tarun Khanna and Karim Lakhani, develops leadership potential through a novel approach that provides fully-funded academic and leadership development resources to low-income, first-in-family college students around the world.

Aspire’s one-year academic and leadership development program includes 1) interdisciplinary courses taught by world-class faculty and 2) beyond-the-classroom ‘Extended Leadership Opportunities’ that include mentorship, internships in the country of residence, academic scholarships to pursue activities that will assist Aspire alumni to uncover their untapped potential and Community Action Awards.

Aspire enrolled over 50,000 students in 2023 and anticipates enrolling 1,000,000 students each year by 2027.

Work Expectation:

40 hours per week with occasional additional hours required in a fast pace, start-up environment. Staff typically work remotely Monday and Friday and in-person at Aspire’s office in Cambridge, MA.,  Tuesday – Thursday.

Personal Characteristics:

The Director of Development is an experienced, energetic, and forward-thinking leader who will be the Aspire’s principal fundraiser and grant writer. They will be supported in this work by the Co-founders, the Executive Director, the Communications and Marketing Manager and the Finance Director.

Responsibilities:

• Plan, manage, and execute all aspects of development efforts to achieve Aspire’s strategic plan.
• Work closely with senior management to develop both short and long-term fundraising goals and strategies.
• Work with staff to develop and implement a cohesive communications plan to support the fundraising plan
• Establish specific activity goals for all phases of the donor/prospect life-cycle (cultivation, solicitation, closure and stewardship).
• Maintains a significant portfolio of leadership and principal gift prospects.
• Participate in the development of strategy and content for all development publications and events.
• May perform other duties as assigned.
• Nurture a culture of philanthropy and relationship building in collaboration with the Executive Director and Co-founders
• Implement a program of engagement and cultivation that strengthens the Aspire's relationships with donors and foundations, which deepens their engagement.
• Research and apply for grants to support Aspire’s programs and students.
• Assist the Executive Director with grant reports as needed.
• Prepare regular communication materials on Aspire’s progress to share with current donors and grantors.

Skills, Qualifications and Accomplishments:

• Bachelor’s degree and 5-7 years of related work experience at a non-profit with significant major gifts or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated ability building and maintaining long-term donor relationships.
• Advanced understanding of and familiarization with donor management systems.
• Demonstrated ability cultivating and soliciting and maximizing gifts from major and principal-gift donors.
• Demonstrated ability using analytical tools to plan, measure, and evaluate the effectiveness of fundraising programs.
• Proven ability to lead staff and volunteers toward shared objectives in a complex and dynamic environment.
• A record of accomplishment of effective collaboration across traditional boundaries and roles.
• Demonstrated ability synthesizing and prioritizing information from a wide array of sources while maintaining attention to detail and effectively managing overall workflow.
• A successful track record of interacting with donors, foundations, volunteers and colleagues at the highest level.

Additional Qualifications:

• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to work collaboratively with a diverse team.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative in a fast pace, start-up environment with multiple tasks and projects.
• Advanced problem-solving skills.
• Excellent active listening, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States.

Compensation:

Aspire offers a competitive salary; paid vacation, illness and personal time off; health insurance; life and ADD insurance and a 403b retirement investment plan. 

Reporting:

The Director of Development reports to Aspire’s Executive Director

Aspire Institute is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against applicants or employees and ensures equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of their race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, age, marital status, disability, citizenship, military or veterans’ status, or any other classifications protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Aspire Institute’s equal opportunity policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring,

Email cover letter and CV to art@aspireleaders.org