A global nonprofit humanitarian and development organization, International Relief & Development (IRD) improves the lives and livelihoods of the world’s most vulnerable people through inclusion, engagement and empowerment. IRD’s mission is to reduce the suffering of the world’s most vulnerable groups and provide the tools and resources needed to increase their self-sufficiency.
Founded by Dr. Arthur Keys in 1998, IRD has grown from a few dedicated workers to approximately 2,000 staff working in over 40 countries. From Afghanistan to South Sudan, from Ukraine to the United States, IRD is dedicated to improving the lives and livelihoods of the world’s most vulnerable populations. Today, their key service areas include: logistics; community stabilization; humanitarian relief; infrastructure; health; democracy and governance; sustainable food and agriculture.
Over the past 15 years, IRD has provided more than $3.9 billion in humanitarian assistance. To the communities they serve, that means well-stocked health clinics, modern schools to educate children, safe water to drink, roads to markets, homes to provide safe havens, training for jobs and nutritious food on the table. IRD approaches each situation with systemic assessments and then designs short- and long-term interventions that keep communities on the path to development. Their integrated development strategies solve interrelated needs and challenges simultaneously. That means more effective engagement with local governments and residents, more community capacity, better use of resources and more positive, sustainable outcomes.
With a current budget of approximately $350 million, their support includes assistance from USAID, U.S. Departments of State and Defense, Australian AID and Irish Aid, multilateral development banks, foundations, faith-based and other nongovernmental organizations, advocacy groups and corporations. Moreover, they benefit from the spontaneous desire of people to help others. Across the world, people volunteer to support IRD’s work by donating time, ideas and funding.
International Relief & Development is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.
BASIC FUNCTION
The Senior Vice President for Institutional Advancement will provide leadership, direction and coordination for all fundraising, communications and marketing activities that strengthen IRD’s program capacity and services around the world and build a recognizable name in the field. The individual will manage a program that measurably increases funding at the national level through an enhanced effort to generate significant major gifts from individuals and innovative expansion of resource development. He/she will develop relationships and strategies that result in significant support from new and existing donors and enhanced brand awareness.
It is expected that the Senior Vice President for Institutional Advancement will be a team player who will encourage collaboration across departmental lines.
PRIORITIES
Reporting directly to the Founder and CEO, the Senior Vice President for Institutional Advancement will:
- Thoroughly understand International Relief & Development – its history, culture, programs, operations, funding history and potential;
- Develop a close working relationship with the Founder and CEO and members of the executive leadership team to create an environment of cohesiveness and collaboration across departments;
- Create and implement a plan with clearly defined objectives for increasing outreach in individual major gifts and gift planning, foundation and corporate support;
- Develop and present communications materials to solicit major gifts from foundations, individuals and corporations;
- Identify and begin to develop relationships with new donors – linking their interests with IRD priorities; know the current donor base and serve as an active participant in cultivation and solicitation, as appropriate;
- Oversee donor stewardship and implement strategic outreach opportunities and events to cultivate donor commitment to IRD;
- Evaluate staffing, structure, databases and systems in order to ensure that sufficient resources are in place to implement an increased fundraising effort; develop and mentor staff so that they reach their full potential;
- Knowledge of transactional fundraising practices such as direct marketing and use of social media;
- Know and understand the Board of Directors and the Board Advisory Council and maximizing their talents and contacts to increase the donor base;
- Create and develop a signature annual special event that will serve as a vehicle for cultivating and honoring major donors – ensuring all events align with IRD’s vision, mission and core values;
- Actively participate in shaping IRD’s brand identity; bring professional insight to the discussion of how to increase IRD’s long-term fundraising capacity and visibility;
- Serve as a charismatic, culturally sensitive communicator who can tailor messages to various audiences and be an effective representative of IRD to its diverse constituencies.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Senior Vice President for Institutional Advancement also will:
- Create short-term and long-range strategies and plans that include clearly laid out revenue goals and objectives for each development area; hold staff accountable for achieving their goals; ensure that strategies are implemented;
- Instill confidence in, and excitement about, fundraising among all staff and constituent groups; work in collaboration with the other department heads and their staff to enhance fundraising efforts;
- Effectively manage all Communications functions;
- Ensure that all donors and patrons are appropriately thanked and regularly communicated with; make donor stewardship a priority at all levels;
- Hire when necessary, manage, evaluate, motivate and reward staff, encouraging staff development and cross-functional partnerships;
- Manage the area’s day-to-day operations, ensuring that sound budgetary, financial management, and other systems and procedures are efficient and reflect the complexity of the overall development operation;
- Communicate effectively, internally as well as externally, and keep staff and Board informed about fundraising activities.
IDEAL EXPERIENCE
The ideal candidate will be a seasoned professional with excellent management and team- building skills, who will have the following experience and characteristics:
- At least 10 years of proven success, preferably in a national or international organization with leadership in managing a full-service advancement operation and a track record of generating significant levels of support from individuals, foundations and corporations;
- Proven success in identifying, cultivating and soliciting major individual donors; experience raising money for international development work;
- A track record in, knowledge of, and the ability to build capacity in a complex organization with a mandate for interdepartmental collaboration and partnership;
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with, and quickly gain the respect and support of, leadership, colleagues and staff in addition to potential donors.
Please send nominations or applications, including all contact information, to Jane Donaldson and Susan Meade at IRD@PhillipsOppenheim.com.
