Vice President, Development

  Common Cause is seeking a Vice President, Development who will lead the organization’s fundraising strategy and bolster our mission to defend voting rights, to end partisan gerrymandering, to restore ethics and accountability to all levels of government, and to pursue many other critical democracy reforms.

The VP, Development will inspire current and prospective supporters to realize their philanthropic potential with Common Cause (501c4)  and Common Cause Education Fund (501c3), manage and lead a high-performing team with humility and conviction, grow our individual giving and foundation giving programs, align Common Cause’s national organization and state offices on business process and operational standards of excellence, and coordinate across realms of responsibility and lines of difference to inspire the organization to optimize all giving opportunities.

  RESPONSIBILITIES:

Design and Lead the Fundraising Strategy for Common Cause and Common Cause Education Fund:

• Develop and implement a strategic and comprehensive multi-year fundraising plan with overarching, measurable goals, positioning Common Cause to achieve and exceed annual revenue goals.
• Set and achieve annual revenue goals in close collaboration with the CEO and Senior Management Team, National Development team, State Executive Directors, as well as the National Governing Board; monitor and report on progress against goals and analyze trends to adjust throughout the year.
• Motivate, inspire, and coach in developing and executing national and regional development strategies.
• Develop and implement major gifts solicitation, donor retention, foundation, and donor growth strategies.
• Create strong systems for managing relationships with prospects, current supporters (including individuals and foundations), ensuring customized communication and cultivation.

Ensure Effective Development Team and Operations

• Translate development strategy into work plans, so teams and individuals understand and deliver on development goals.
• Develop and manage annual departmental budget, closely monitoring and reporting to the CEO and CFO on outcomes for revenue goals.
• Ensure effective development operations by building and/or refining appropriate systems, tools, and processes to support the team’s work.
• Ensure accurate updating of donor records in CRM.

Steward and Support Major Gifts

• Expand and diversify Common Cause’s funding base.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward a personal portfolio of supporters.
• Travel as needed to represent the organization at donor meetings, selected conferences, and networking events.
• Develop and manage a formal stewardship program for donors.

  QUALIFICATIONS:

• 10+ years of experience in nonprofit development, outlining and executing comprehensive, integrated strategies.
• Passion for and commitment to the mission of Common Cause.
• Experience managing complex development teams and operations.
• Demonstrated experience building a culture of philanthropy throughout an organization, with the ability to inspire and coach local and regional staff to meet development goals.
• Proven track record of creating and executing innovative fundraising strategies.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically about revenue diversification and develop and implement plans in support of revenue growth.
• Exceptional listening, trust-building, and interpersonal skills with ability to influence, engage, and build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Proactive attitude, future-focused thinking, and ability to lead and execute in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to build and improve systems and tools for development operations, including databases, reporting, and donor research tools.
• BA/BS or advanced degree, preferably in related field.
• Excited about working in a dynamic, creative, and fast-paced environment that promotes personal and professional growth.

  EQUITY & INCLUSION: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status. Common Cause is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion throughout the organization and believes strongly in the increased effectiveness that comes from a diverse workforce.

  TO APPLY: Please submit Resume and Cover Letter to hr@commoncause.org and include Vice President, Development in the subject line. No phone calls please. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Covid-19 vaccines are required, except where prohibited by law. Reasonable accommodations will be provided when required by law.

  ABOUT COMMON CAUSE: Founded with 4,000 core members in 1970 to serve as a people’s lobby, Common Cause has grown into a nationwide network of more than 1 million members and supporters, with a presence in 30 states and Washington, D.C.

We know the ultimate power in a democracy is the people. To be truly of, by, and for the people, government must reflect everyone it serves. We’re all better off when people from all walks of life participate in self-governance. Every American wants and deserves a voice in shaping the future for our families and communities. We believe democracy is how a free society resolves its differences. And in order to do that well, we must all agree the process is fair, produces equitable outcomes, and reflects our communities, our values, and our priorities. Nobody wins all the time, but if the process is fair, at least we can trust it.

We side with no one but the people. Working together, we are building a democracy that works for all of us. Every aspect of our elections and representative self-government must be fair, open, accessible, and set-up so we all have faith in the integrity of election outcomes and the people we elect to serve us.

We are solutions-oriented. Our network of democracy experts, working at the state and local level across the country, are winning pragmatic, common sense solutions and building a national movement that will make sure our generation secures and strengthens democracy for the next. We work to ensure that every vote counts, that every eligible voter has an equal say, that our elections represent the will of the people, and that our government is of, by, and for the people.

Common Cause is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applicants of any race, creed, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, income class, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or marital status, as well as applicants who have been previously incarcerated.

Covid-19 vaccines are required, except where prohibited by law. Reasonable accommodations will be provided when required by law.