The Director of Development is a key leadership position focused on nurturing and expanding current corporate and personal relationships, and also cultivating new relationships, to strengthen the community of those who support the mission of Life Science Cares New York (LSC NY) financially and in other important respects. The successful candidate will partner closely with the Executive Director and LSC NY Board leadership to devise and implement development and awareness initiatives that will enhance LSC NY's visibility and impact.
The Director of Development leads the function and has a broad remit, including strategic planning and the execution of outreach campaigns, along with day-to-day tactical responsibilities, such as executing donor events. LSC NY’s community of donors and supporters is broad and diverse, so the successful candidate will interact with individuals across the spectrum of the life science community, from CEOs and other industry leaders to life science company employees eager to advance LSC NY’s philanthropic mission. The Director of Development will optimize fundraising from life science corporate partners, from the organization’s Board leadership and their networks, and from other sources. They will organize fundraising initiatives and events that deepen donor engagement in our work and will cultivate in-person relationships, assisting the Executive Director in establishing a strong philanthropic presence within the New York metro area life science ecosystem. There will be strong emphasis in this role in cultivating new donors through new and alternative channels.
About Life Science Cares
Life Science Cares activates the financial and human capital of the life sciences industry and partners with nonprofits to disrupt the cycle of poverty and inequality in our communities. We envision all our neighbors having access to basic needs, access to education, and access to opportunity.
Life Science Cares was founded in 2016 to combat poverty and the disparities that surround us. Life Science Cares provides a platform for life science companies and their employees to efficiently invest their time and resources to reduce the burden of poverty. Working in partnership with community-based nonprofit organizations and other key stakeholders, we invest in and build programs to provide access to basic needs, access to education and access to opportunity. We currently have offices in Boston, Bay Area, Philadelphia, New York and San Diego.
Life Science Cares is an equal opportunity employer that supports and celebrates diversity. As such, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, partners, and stakeholders. We believe our workplace and communities thrive when we actively promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice in all we do.
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Account Management & Donor Relations:
- Attract new companies to engage in the mission of Life Science Cares, including corporate partnerships, board of advisors,event sponsorship, Life Science Sharesor participating in the Project Onramp internship program as intern hosts.
- Cultivate and steward relationships with potential new donors throughsignificant in- person engagement and local presence in the New York Metro ecosystem.
- Attend local events and join networkswhere potential new donors and supporters may be present.
- Develop personalized strategies to connect with donors and maintain a strong donor pipeline.
- LSC individual donor segments include Boardof Managers, Boardof Advisors, Leadership Circle donors, annual fund donors, etc.
o Engage the Board of Managers, Development Committee, and Board of Advisors in
fundraising activities.
- Fundraising Strategy & Research:
- Partner with the Executive Directorto develop and implement a strategicfundraising plan aligned with the organization’s mission and objectives.
- Collaborate with the Executive Directorto align fundraising strategies with organizational goals.
- Collaborate with national Development lead and other site affiliates Development teams to share best practices, cultivateshared partners, etc.
- Identify and pursue diverse funding sources including major gifts, grants, corporate
partnerships, and individual donations.
- Research and maintaina pipeline of prospective donorsby cultivating new relationships through in-person accountmanagement and using business databasesor other tools.
- Partners with the Executive Director on grant writing and applications.
- Development Operations:
- Lead all Boardof Advisors and Corporate Partner Onboarding and facilitate engagement to Partnership and events.
- Collaborate with the Director of Programs on seamless handoff of new corporate partners as they join Life Science Cares New York.
- Help coordinate event logistics, includingpre-and post-event communications, RSVP and attendee tracking, room setup,materials preparation, catering, and technology needs.
o Coordinate sponsor deliverables in conjunction with events.
- Data, Analysis and Reporting
- Help manage site’s database accountsfor accuracy, including new record creation, activity tracking, contact reports, moves management, and proposal data.
- Help engage with finance and accounting to review accountsreceivable, ensure accuracy in data and support financial forecasting for the Finance Committee.
- Provide regular reports and analysis on fundraising performance.
- Assist Executive Directorin presentation of fundraising performance to the Board of Managers.
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
- Excellent account management, sales and customer service skills.
- Ability to work independently and as a team player.
- Growth mindset and openness to feedback & coaching, and direct supervision by the Executive Director.
- An agile mindset and willingness to experiment with new ideas and take risks.
- High energy and passion for Life Science Care’s mission and for philanthropy.
- Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail;able to multitask and work well under pressure to meet all deadlines.
- Experience taking the initiative to solve problemsindependently and creatively in a fast-paced environment and delivering results while managing competing priorities.
- Existing portfolio of connections within the Life Science industry is a plus.
- Experience with email marketing and graphic design is a plus.
- Experience with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge is a plus.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience preferred.
- 5+ years of professional experience in fundraising, donor relations, or investor relations.
- Direct experience with Account Management and / or sales.
The ideal candidate possesses the following qualifications and characteristics:
- Demonstrable track record of personally identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and closing individual donors, corporations and foundations.
- A record of measurable results in organizing and implementing such activities as: major gifts, corporate partnerships, annual funds,foundation giving, and planned giving.
- An effective communicator with highly developed skills in account management and a track record of securing new financial supporters through non-traditional channels.
- A passion for cultivating deep relationships and having a physical and visible presence within the New York/New Jersey Life Science ecosystem.
- Understanding of the networkswithin the Life Science industryand existing relationships a plus.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with and quicklygain the respectand support of various constituencies, including board and staff members,donors, corporate executives and employees, and civic leaders; experience recruiting and organizing volunteers.
- High energy and passion for Life Science Care’s mission with a passion for philanthropy and nonprofit work.
- Awareness of and Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice.
- A solid understanding of nonprofit/for-profit fiscal management, principles and best practices.
- The ability to give and receive feedback; able to work independently and as a team player.
- A leader who is creative and resilient, who can positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives while being flexible and adaptable.
Work location and expectations
This is a hybrid role expected to be in local territory (New York Metro including New Jersey) potentially several days a week and to convene in-person for monthly team meetings. Candidates must live within the New York Metro Area and possess the ability to routinely cultivate in-person relationships.