Chief Development Officer, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

JOB TITLE: Chief Development Officer

DEPARTMENT: Development

LOCATION: Washington, DC

REPORTS TO: President & Executive Director

JOB CLASSIFICATION: Full-Time; Exempt; Non-Union

About the organization:

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is one of the nation’s leading racial justice legal organizations. Formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy, the Lawyers’ Committee uses legal advocacy to achieve racial justice, fighting inside and outside the courts to ensure that Black people and other people of color have the voice, opportunity, and power to make the promises of our democracy real.

The Lawyers’ Committee has an annual operating budget of $24M and 75 hybrid staff members based in the Washington, DC region.

Please visit https://www.lawyerscommittee.org to learn more about The Lawyers’ Committee’s history, impact, and leadership.

About the role:

Reporting to the President/Executive Director, the Chief Development Officer (CDO) is the primary development partner to the Lawyers’ Committee’s board of directors and is an integral member of the executive leadership team. The CDO oversees all fundraising efforts, leading strategy, managing a $2M budget and a team of seven, with the opportunity to grow the development team further. The CDO will maintain current sources of support; expand the organization’s base of financial support from foundations, individuals, law firms, businesses, and others; and develop and implement creative strategies to cultivate new forms of support. Finally, the CDO will identify and drive the most effective development and marketing techniques to achieve organizational goals, in collaboration with the President/CEO, the board of directors, the communications, program, and operations teams, and other valued partners.

The ideal candidate is passionate about and has experience working within organizations advancing racial justice for Black people and other people of color. They have experience working with the types and sources of funding common to the organization, including lawyers and law firms. They have a growth mindset and a demonstrated track record of success in building an effective professional team and raising funds at or above the organization’s current budget size. They are a disciplined and strategic yet innovative thinker who values and excels at clear communication (written and verbal), cross-functional collaboration, and cultivating and maintaining strong internal and external relationships. They will embrace accountability, depth of strategy, and a results-oriented approach that distinguishes activity from impact. They will also deeply understand development as both an art and a science and thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

This is a unique opportunity for a seasoned fundraising professional to grow the development infrastructure and capacity of one of the nation’s preeminent civil rights organizations.

Duties and Responsibilities will include:

Strategic and Cross-Functional Leadership

• Work with the President/Executive Director to establish and execute long- and short-term strategic development priorities aimed at increasing support from individuals, foundations, law firms, and the corporate community
• Collaborate with the President/Executive Director and senior management to raise funds in support of the organization’s mission and to coordinate and integrate the work of the development department across the organization
• Foster a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization, including training the board and staff on development best practices
• Develop and execute distinctive brand positioning to attract new supporters and build brand familiarity, partnering with the communications team and senior management to ensure consistent messaging and to align development strategy with program and communications strategy

Fundraising and Relationship Management

• Strengthen existing donor relationships to develop a strong rapport and deep understanding of individual and institutional connections to the organization
• Provide continuous communication and follow-up to donors throughout the year to demonstrate impact and continue to cultivate relationships
• Oversee strategic development of partnerships and alliances in support of development, including the Lawyers’ Committee board of directors, law firms, corporations, foundations, and other stakeholders
• In collaboration with the President/Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer, and Board Development Committee chair, work with board members to identify, cultivate, and solicit prospective donors; coordinate and facilitate the board’s involvement in meeting fundraising goals
• In close partnership with the VP of Communications, develop and utilize consistent and compelling donor communications and solicitations

Team Management

• Lead, inspire, and empower the Development team to work inclusively, collaboratively, effectively, and efficiently, establishing clear performance standards, benchmarks for success, and a path for increasing communication and cooperation
• Establish overall development objectives and specific goals for members of the development team and plans to ensure success

Development Operations

• Develop and manage the development department’s annual budget
• Design and implement a robust development strategy that maintains and broadens the organization’s financial support from foundations, individuals, law firms, businesses, and others, by nurturing existing relationships as well as identifying new and diverse sources of funding
• Develop an annual fundraising plan that establishes strategies and timelines for reaching fundraising goals, and metrics to chart progress
• Align development strategies to operate in harmony with programmatic and communications strategies

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:

• Unwavering commitment to the mission and core values of The Lawyers’ Committee
• Prior professional experience working in a racial justice, civil rights, or national legal nonprofit organization is highly valued
• Bachelor’s degree or higher and a minimum of ten years in the development field in positions of increasing scope and responsibility; a minimum of five years of senior management experience (preferably in a nonprofit environment)
• Demonstrated commitment to the highest professional and ethical standards
• Breadth and depth of development experience with a personal record of success in cultivating individual major gifts, creating successful fundraising strategies, improving financial results, improving relationships, building consensus, and providing leadership for a comprehensive development program, including foundations, digital marketing, comprehensive campaigns, and special events
• Professional and personal confidence and presence to guide and enhance the impact and results of the fundraising activities of the President/Executive Director and the board of directors, as well as other individuals of influence and affluence
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build long-term relationships
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with board members, senior leadership, staff, donors, and other supporters
• Collaborative style and inclusive approach to leadership and management, with demonstrated ability to recruit, motivate, and lead a high-performing team in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Ability to embrace management challenges, confront situations head-on, delegate with ease, and motivate and mentor others
• Strong analytical skills based on intellectual depth, with the ability to regularly exercise good judgment
• Knowledge of accessing and managing donor database systems
• Strong ability to organize and set and accomplish priorities in a timely manner
• Flexible and entrepreneurial style; a leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives

Salary and benefits:

The target salary range for this position is $235,000 - $255,000 annually. The Lawyers' Committee offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes healthcare coverage (medical, dental, and vision), parental leave, a 403(b) contribution with employer match contributions, voluntary short- and long-term disability, and an employer-paid monthly cell phone stipend.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:

The Lawyers’ Committee embraces diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We strongly encourage candidates of color and candidates from underrepresented communities to apply. The Lawyers’ Committee does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, pregnancy, parental status, family responsibility, personal appearance, genetic information, matriculation, immigration status, union activities, political affiliation, military veteran status, credit information or any other status protected under law.