Director of Development

Director of Development

New Civil Liberties Alliance

Arlington, VA

https://talentmarket.org/devodrncla/

About the Organization

The New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA) is the premier public-interest law firm focused on cutting the Administrative State down to size—and the only one exclusively focused on that mission. Founded by Columbia University law professor Philip Hamburger, NCLA in under seven years has gone from a start up to become the most successful public-interest law firm at the U.S. Supreme Court last term, according to one objective source, with seven victories there. That successful term included NCLA’s historic victory in overturning Chevron deference, a 40-year-old precedent whose reversal was part of the reason NCLA was founded. Building on that strong foundation, NCLA is advancing a new civil liberties movement focused on defending constitutional rights for all Americans against anyone in the executive branch who tramples those rights.

About the Role

NCLA’s mission of bringing original constitutional litigation has achieved three landmark victories at the U.S. Supreme Court in the past two terms. This leadership position presents a wonderful opportunity for an entrepreneurial and seasoned development professional to play a pivotal role in a dynamic, rapidly expanding organization dedicated to defending civil liberties through innovative legal strategies. The leader hired for this position will be a part of the senior executive leadership of the organization, in addition to running the development capability.

As the Director of Development, you will be instrumental in shaping and executing NCLA’s strategic fundraising initiatives. Building and leading a small (3-4) but committed team, you will collaborate closely with NCLA’s President and occasionally its CEO to drive fundraising efforts that sustain and advance the mission. This position is perfect for a strategic thinker eager to make a meaningful impact by working directly with the leadership of a highly respected nonprofit, using your fundraising talents to champion and further a cause you believe in. The role is located in Arlington, VA and reports to the President.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and Implement Fundraising Strategy: Create and execute a comprehensive strategy to achieve multi-million-dollar annual goals through diverse channels, including individual giving, foundations, online campaigns, planned giving, and special events.
• Cultivate and Expand Donor Relationships: Identify, research, and engage with prospective donors and aligned foundations. Build lasting relationships through personalized outreach, ensuring their interests align with NCLA’s mission. Draft compelling grant proposals and reports to secure funding.
• Engage Major Donors: Collaborate closely with NCLA’s President to secure major gifts, guiding the proposal process to communicate NCLA’s programs and objectives effectively.
• Tailor Donor Communications: Customize outreach and communications to match donors’ specific interests in NCLA’s focus areas, enhancing engagement and support.
• Optimize Fundraising Systems: Develop and maintain robust systems for prospecting, solicitation, donor recognition, and tiered giving levels to maximize donor retention and growth.
• Plan Fundraising Events: Strategically plan and execute 2-4 nationwide fundraising events annually, driving donor engagement and increasing NCLA's visibility.
• Lead Development Team: Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing development team, ensuring alignment with the fundraising strategy and overseeing day-to-day operations.
• Utilize Data for Decision-Making: Leverage Salesforce to generate reports and insights, providing NCLA’s President with data-driven updates to inform strategic decisions.
• Collaborate Across Teams: Work closely with the Communications team to ensure consistent and engaging donor messaging. Partner with NCLA’s General Counsel and/or Chief Financial Officer to ensure compliance with state charitable registration requirements and other fundraising regulations.

Qualifications:

• 8+ total years of fundraising experience; this should include:
  • 4+ years of experience securing major gifts and/or lead role in obtaining foundation grants
  • 6+ years of comprehensive fundraising experience
• Commitment to NCLA’s mission of protecting civil liberties against violations from the Administrative State
• Proficient across all fundraising channels, including individual, foundation, and online giving, as well as planned gifts and bequests
• Willingness to travel 5%-10% of the time
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated discretion and sound judgment in handling confidential donor information
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects concurrently
• Experience with CRM systems, preferably Salesforce
• Willingness to contribute to all tasks, regardless of size, to achieve team goals
• Familiarity with liberty-focused fundraising is preferred
• Experience in planning and executing fundraising events is advantageous but not required

Hours and location:

This full-time position works on-site at the New Civil Liberties Alliance, headquartered in the Ballston neighborhood of Arlington, Virginia. This person may work remotely one day each week.

How to Apply:

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document:

• Cover letter including:
  • • An introductory paragraph(s) describing three distinct reasons you are drawn to NCLA’s mission and how you came to those beliefs. Be sure to include at least one specific case that resonates with you.
  • Salary requirements
• Resume

Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/.

Questions can be directed to Katy Gambella, Director of Outreach at Talent Market, who is managing the search process: katy@talentmarket.org.

There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.

While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.

Talent Market is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide consulting and recruiting services at no cost to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that clearly and directly focus on advancing the principles of economic freedom, free enterprise, free trade, free speech, property rights, rule of law, and limited regulation.