Arabella Advisors

Washington, DC

Arabella Advisors is looking for an associate director, with a strong advocacy background, who is passionate about high-impact philanthropy and engaging with strategically-focused donors. A successful candidate must excel in providing premier client service, and be known for the ability to keep projects running on time, on budget, and in a way that effectively deploys your team members’ talents and connects them to the bigger picture.

As a member of Arabella’s collegial, client-focused, and impact-driven community, you will lead projects that service high-profile institutional, family, and corporate foundations, and philanthropic individuals. Our team helps clients develop grant-making strategies, implement programs, evaluate their impact, and collaborate effectively with other donors. As project manager, you are responsible for project design, research, analysis, deliverable development, stakeholder engagement, and budget and team management. Additionally, you play a central role in developing client relationships and helping to generate new business.

About Arabella Advisors

Arabella Advisors helps foundations, philanthropists and investors who are serious about impact achieve the greatest good with their resources. We help our clients imagine what’s possible, design the best strategies, learn what works best, and do the work necessary to realize their visions.

Our staff is a team of passionate problem-solvers—mission-driven and action-oriented—with a unique combination of experience in philanthropy, public policy, advocacy, business, nonprofits, government, finance, law, and other fields. We combine creative, strategic thinking with knowledge and networks developed through decades of hands-on experience.

The fastest-growing philanthropic advisory firm in the nation, Arabella is also a certified B Corporation. Our leadership team, advisors, colleagues, and staff are fundamentally concerned with social change. We share a desire to make a difference and apply an outcomes-focused approach. Our internal culture supports employee passions, enables continuous learning, and fosters innovation, risk taking, and fun— even as it emphasizes excellence.

About Arabella’s Consulting Team 

Arabella’s consulting practice works with institutional, family, and corporate clients to develop, implement, and assess effective grant-making programs; deploy capital to advance advocacy and systems change strategies; and launch and manage efforts that go beyond grant making to further their philanthropic goals. We work with many of the nation’s leading foundations, helping them achieve impact in education, health, international development, conservation, and more.

Position Responsibilities

Associate Directors play an essential role in managing projects, developing client relationships, and developing team talent and culture. Your role will include the following responsibilities:

Client Service (~75%) 

• Serve as project manager on client projects; duties include developing and managing project scopes, drafting and managing complex project timelines and budgets, and overseeing cross- functional teams
• Design, implement, and evaluate programs for clients
• Design and facilitate working sessions with clients and other stakeholders
• Develop high-quality reports and presentations
• Maintain strong client relationships, facilitate client meetings, and clearly communicate project progress and findings
  • Train project team members and help develop their skills and talents Marketing and Business Development (~20%)
  • Draft proposals and develop budgets for prospective clients
  • Assist in the development of materials that highlight the firm’s expertise, abilities, and past project work
  • Support Arabella’s client development team in identifying and pitching new opportunities 

Internal Projects (~5%)

• Initiate and lead internal projects related to the team’s business strategy, annual objectives, skill development, or culture 

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

• Graduate degree or equivalent work experience in relevant field (professional services, philanthropy, public policy, nonprofit management, etc.)
• At least 5 to 7 years of professional experience with steadily increasing job responsibility
• Strong background, expertise, and experience in advocacy, organizing, and/or civic engagement.
• Experience in philanthropy, nonprofit management, business and/or consulting
• Ability to manage and lead a complex project, to oversee and delegate to team members, and to meet deadlines
• Strong organization and research skills and an understanding of how to gather, analyze, and synthesize diverse information from written documents and interviews
• Excellent communication skills, including strong writing skills and demonstrated ability to synthesize large amounts of information on the page
• Proven ability to work with diverse audiences and stakeholders, including excellent customer service and strong facilitation skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team