Institutional Relations Officer

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to improve the systems of democracy and justice in the United States. We work to hold our political institutions and laws accountable to the twin American ideals of democracy and equal justice for all. The Brennan Center’s work ranges from voting rights to campaign finance reform, from ending mass incarceration to preserving Constitutional protections in national security policies. Part think-tank, part advocacy group, part cutting edge communications hub, we start with rigorous research. We craft innovative policies. And we fight for them – in Congress and the states, in the courts, and in the court of public opinion.

The Development team is responsible for raising revenues needed for the Brennan Center to operate and remain sustainable into the future. The Brennan Center entirely relies on donations; it receives no funding from NYU or the government.

The Development team is highly collaborative. It has grown to 18 staffers to keep pace with steep revenues growth and a diversifying donor base – we are supported by 40,000+ donors.

Position Overview

We seek a results-driven, dynamic, and experienced fundraising professional to join our Development team. The Institutional Relations Officer is a crucial frontline fundraising role for the Brennan Center. You will join a high-performing Development team that has raised $50-60 million in the last several fiscal years. The team is organized around three principal revenue sources: institutional donors, major donors (individuals and family foundations), and small and midlevel donors. The team also organizes an annual fundraising gala.

The Officer will be responsible for securing major grants from institutional foundations and philanthropies – both existing and new donors. We seek a well-rounded fundraiser proficient at managing and executing all aspects of securing prospects and retaining donors. A key feature of the role is to guide and collaborate with the Center’s leaders and staff, who are among the nation’s preeminent democracy and justice policy reformers.

A successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communications skills that enable effective philanthropic relationships and smooth internal collaborations. Another key qualification: an appetite for juggling multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment that often operates in “campaign” mode.

This role reports to and closely collaborates with the Senior Director for Institutional Relations and will be part of a five-person Institutional Relations team. The position also will collaborate regularly with the VP for Development and other members of the Development team, the Center’s President, and program leaders and staff.

Note: This position is based at our headquarters in New York City.

Key Responsibilities

The Officer will serve a critical role in raising funding from institutional foundations, law firms, and corporate philanthropies. The full portfolio brings in over $10 million annually with ambitions to grow. It includes more than 45 active grants, around 70 percent of which are at the six or seven-figure level.

To reach our revenue goals, the Officer will work closely with the Senior Director and Director of Institutional Relations to develop and implement strategies aimed at securing renewed or increased support from existing funders. Another focus is to identify and cultivate prospects to raise new funding. Key responsibilities include:

• Manage a subset of the full portfolio, with a focus on deepening partnerships to secure renewed and expanded support.
• Identify prospects and secure new funding for the Center. Stay abreast of philanthropic trends and foundation giving.
• Project manage and guide the Center’s program leaders and staff who participate in donor relations and proposal pitches.
• Write and produce strategic and compelling proposal and report packages.
• Oversee and edit grant proposals and reports, including budgets and financial narratives and other specific institutional information – fostering accurate, high-quality presentations.
• Write and edit strategy memos, regular programmatic updates, and other donor communications – all strategically framed for each supporter’s specific interests.
• Lead the planning and execution of meetings with foundations, corporate leaders/staff, and advisors. This includes overseeing or conducting donor research and preparing written and in-person briefings for the Center’s program leaders.
• Advise and guide the Center’s leaders on all aspects of engagement with foundation staff and corporate and law firm contacts.
• Represent the Brennan Center at meetings, both alone and alongside the Center’s leaders.
• Help manage day-to-day operations of the Institutional Relations team, ensuring all deadlines and grant submission requirements are met, and that the systems and databases supporting operations are maintained and up-to-date.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or training in law, public policy, or journalism (on policy issues) is a plus.
• Demonstrable track record – 5+ years of relevant experience – in foundation and institutional fundraising, other nonprofit development, and/or building similar partnerships or sponsorships; experience related to public policy or public interest law is preferred.
• Excellent writing and analytical skills, with talent at translating complex, detailed legal and policy work into clear and compelling language suitable for funder audiences.
• Advanced interpersonal skills, to connect with and build relationships with donors and prospects as well as internal colleagues.
• Commitment and ability to produce work product that is thorough, complete, and polished.
• Strong ability to understand and discuss the Brennan Center’s policy and legal goals, the activities and strategies employed to reach them, and the political and societal landscape in which we work.
• Appetite to work in a fast-paced, high-energy environment, with corresponding abilities, i.e. strong skills juggling tight timelines and competing deadlines with longer-term tasks.
• Comfort with using foundation/grant submission technology platforms and portals, as well as Salesforce and other essential office technology.
• Demonstrable commitment to the Brennan Center’s mission and goals.

We are committed to considering a wide range of candidates, including those with diverse experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to the nonprofit law and policy sector, returning to work after a gap in employment, looking to make a career transition, or seeking to advance your professional path, we welcome your application.

If you're uncertain about meeting 100% of our qualifications, we encourage you to apply anyway. In your cover letter, please share your interest in the position and what you hope to contribute to the role.

Application Instructions

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage interested applicants to apply early, as the position will be filled once a qualified candidate is found.

To apply, visit >>LINK HERE<<. Please upload the following documents: (1) a cover letter, (2) resume, and (3) contact information for three supervisor references. Applications without all the previously listed materials will not be considered.

Please, no phone calls or faxes; it is strongly preferred that you apply on our website. If you have difficulty with the online system, you may send your application by e-mail to: brennancenterjobs@nyu.edu with “Institutional Relations Officer” in the subject line, after registering in the online system.

Compensation and Benefits: 

The Brennan Center is a fantastic workplace! We offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package that is regularly assessed based on workplace trends and employee feedback.

The salary range assigned to this position is $110,000-$125,000. We determine our salary ranges based on market competitiveness and internal equity for each job. The salary offered to a selected candidate will be contingent upon the candidate’s qualifications and internal equity considerations. Additionally, we offer a generous time off program, 401k plan, comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), and wellness and office perks.

In addition, this position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW local 2320.

We offer a generous time off program, 401k plan, comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), and wellness and office perks.