Civil rights have never been easy to win. Fighting for them takes passion, skill and an absolute determination to prevail. That’s what GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) delivers every single day. Through strategic litigation, public policy advocacy, and education, GLAD has worked for over four decades across New England and the United States to create a just society free of discrimination based on gender identity and expression, HIV status, and sexual orientation.
 
GLAD has a 30-member staff, an engaged board of directors, and dozens of volunteers. In the past few years, our annual budget has grown to nearly $4 million, including successfully completing a $1.7M campaign, One Justice Fund,  to help respond to increased attacks on LGBTQ rights at the federal level. Our current strategic plan, Justice 2020, prioritizes access to justice, state public policy work, and racial and economic justice.

THE OPPORTUNITY

At a time of unprecedented need for civil liberties, GLAD is seeking a mission- and relationship-driven Director of Development (DOD) to build upon our fundraising success and secure the revenue needed to move our work forward. Reporting to the Executive Director, the DOD will design a comprehensive development strategy, lead a talented 6-member development team, manage a portfolio of major donors, and work with the GLAD staff and board of directors to expand financial support. The DOD will serve as an integral member of the 5-person senior management team, collaborating on advancing GLAD’s strategic priorities and building an organization that is deeply committed to true justice and lived equality for all people.
 

WHO YOU ARE

• An experienced professional with a love of fundraising. You bring at least 10 years of work experience, including at least 2 years in a managerial role, with a track record of qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors, foundations, and corporate partners.
• A catalyst for racial and economic equity. You possess cultural sensitivity and humility, with an understanding of systemic and institutionalized racism and classism facing LGBTQ communities of color and low-income individuals. You actively work to ensure that GLAD’s racial and economic justice principles are infused into fundraising activities.
• A creative strategist who forms plans that are clear, achievable, and motivational to others. You bring success in building and implementing fundraising plans that drive high-performance and reach ambitious goals.
• A thoughtful relationship builder who develops rapport easily and fosters long-term connections. You have a warm, energetic, and authentic personality that translates to building lasting relationships both internally and externally. You demonstrate active listening and grace in all interpersonal interactions.
• A capable leader who leverages individuals’ strengths and fosters teamwork. You have experience in recruiting and hiring talent, building strong teams, and coaching and mentoring direct and indirect reports  and/or volunteers for high performance and accountability. You manage through conflict and support team members in collaborative problem solving.
• An effective communicator who conveys information clearly and inspires trust. You are able to connect and communicate with a range of stakeholders (e.g. staff, board, volunteers, donors, community members.) You articulate the organization’s vision and programs to make a compelling, inspirational case for financial support.
• A passionate believer in GLAD’s mission and values. You care deeply about LGBTQ rights, with a nuanced understanding of the intersection of gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, HIV status, and racial and economic justice. You thrive in an organization that strives for excellence, leads through action, values self-reflection and personal growth, and is committed to equality for all.

 
WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for a comprehensive and multi-year fundraising plan to grow annual revenue (currently $3.9M) from a diversity of sources including major donors, foundations, corporate partners, special events, and community giving campaigns.
• Oversee the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major donors and institutional supporters with the capacity to make 6-figure leadership gifts. Personally manage a portfolio of approximately 100 donors and prospects.
• Lead a 6-member close-knit development team, including direct supervision of the Associate Director of Development and Donor Communications, Manager of Corporate Partnerships and Events, and Individual Gifts Officer, delegating work appropriately, providing ongoing coaching, guidance and support to staff members, and fostering a team culture of collaboration and accountability.
• Serve on the 5-member senior management team and collaborate on organization-wide strategy to further GLAD’s mission and priorities, including advancing racial and economic equity and justice internally and through GLAD’s work.
• Partner with the Board Development Committee and engage members of GLAD’s Board of Directors in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewarding, as well as personal giving.
• Partner closely with the Director of Public Affairs and Education to ensure consistent constituent communications and shepherd stakeholder engagement strategies in line with GLAD’s mission and values.
• Work with the Legal Director and lawyers to educate donors about GLAD’s work, including through in-person and conference call briefings, speeches at events, and individual donor meetings.
• Work closely with the Chief Financial Officer on annual budget and revenue tracking.

 
COMPENSATION

Salary is commensurate with experience in the range of $115,000 to $130,000, with excellent benefits including health, dental and long-term disability insurance; 401(k) with employer contribution; three weeks’ vacation; and supportive and friendly work environment dedicated to groundbreaking achievements for the LGBTQ and HIV communities.

 
TO APPLY

If this opportunity calls out to you, please click on the Apply Now button to submit 1) a tailored, authentic cover letter that explains why this mission excites you and why this particular role is a fit for you and 2) your resume. Please address your cover letter to Janson Wu, Executive Director. We review applications on a rolling basis and strive to get back to applicants within two weeks.
 
GLAD is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic staff. Transgender and non-binary persons, people of color, and individuals with disabilities, including HIV, are encouraged to apply.