Director of Development

Position: Director of Development, Heterodox Academy

Location: Remote (New York City area preferred)

Start Date: December 1, 2024

Pay: $130,000 - $160,000

About the Organization:

Heterodox Academy (HxA) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that promotes open inquiry, viewpoint diversity, and constructive disagreement to improve higher education and academic research. With a growing membership of over 7,000 professors, administrators, and students, HxA helps colleges and universities uphold their highest ideals and resist groupthink and tribalism. We communicate and engage with faculty, students, administrators, policymakers, and the public as we work to improve higher education. We also develop research, tools, trainings, and events, and facilitate online and on-campus communities.

Position Summary:

With higher education the topic of intense public debate, core questions about academia’s purpose and principles are in play like never before. To meet this moment, Heterodox Academy (HxA) has been expanding its membership, work, and team. To build on our recent growth and success, HxA seeks an experienced Director of Development to lead and expand our fundraising efforts. Reporting directly to HxA’s Inaugural President, John Tomasi, the Director will play a crucial role in shaping HxA's development strategy and securing the resources needed to advance our mission. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in nonprofit fundraising, preferably with experience in higher education, and a passion for HxA's commitment to open inquiry and viewpoint diversity in academia.

Specific Duties:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with HxA's mission and goals, in alignment with the organization’s growing expansion of activity and impact
• Oversee all aspects of HxA's development program, including major gifts, annual giving, campus-based gifts, institutional giving, development events, online giving, and planned giving
• Manage one direct report and consultants
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with donors, both consistently cultivating smaller donors, and communicating in customized ways with high-net-worth individuals and foundations
• Work closely with the President and Board of Directors to identify and engage potential major donors
• Manage and mentor the Development Manager, ensuring effective execution of fundraising initiatives
• Create and oversee the annual development budget and fundraising goals
• Develop compelling fundraising materials, including proposals, reports, and presentations
• Plan and execute fundraising events and donor cultivation activities
• Implement best practices in donor stewardship and recognition
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure cohesive messaging and alignment of fundraising efforts with organizational priorities
• Provide regular reports on fundraising progress to the President and Board of Directors
• Stay informed about trends and best practices in nonprofit fundraising and higher education philanthropy

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred
• 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit fundraising, with at least 3 years in a leadership role
• Proven track record of securing major gifts and managing successful fundraising campaigns
• Strong knowledge of best practices in development, including donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
• Sophisticated understanding of diverse donor and funder networks surrounding higher education reform, free expression, constructive disagreement, viewpoint diversity, and related issues
• Experience with fundraising databases and CRM systems (preferably Hubspot or similar)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate HxA's mission and impact to diverse audiences
• Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to motivate and mentor team members
• Strategic thinker with the ability to set and achieve ambitious fundraising goals
• Experience in higher education advancement/development (at a college, university, or higher education nonprofit) strongly preferred

Personal Characteristics:

• Passionate about HxA's mission and the importance of open inquiry and viewpoint diversity in higher education
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including donors, board members, and academic leaders
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and ethical standards
• Collaborative team player with excellent interpersonal skills
• Adaptable and flexible in response to changing priorities and opportunities
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment

Reports To: HxA President John Tomasi

Direct Reports: Development Manager

Location: Remote, with a preference for candidates in the New York City area. Regular travel (25-30%) is

expected for donor meetings and events.

Position Type: Regular, full-time, exempt

To apply for this position, submit 1) a current resume and 2) a cover letter describing your qualifications for this job to this form. Applications without a cover letter addressing the job description content won't be reviewed. While we examine all applications, we regret that we can't reply to every applicant.

Heterodox Academy is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.