LCVEF is hiring for a Director of Institutional Writing and Strategy to help lead our institutional giving program. The full description is included below.
Thanks!
Frances
Title: Director of Institutional Writing and Strategy
Status: Exempt
Reports To: Senior Director of Institutional Giving
Positions Reporting To This Position: None
General Description:
The League of Conservation Voters Education Fund (LCVEF) works to turn environmental values into national, state and local priorities. LCVEF, in collaboration with our state LCVEF partners, advocates for strong environmental protections, organizes and amplifies the voices of communities of color and other key constituencies who are disproportionately impacted by climate change, air pollution, water contamination and other issues, and engages people in the democratic process.
LCVEF’s work to protect and advocate for the environment is rooted in our commitment to racial, social and environmental justice. Communities of color are disproportionately impacted by climate change and pollution. For this reason, racial justice and equity are inextricably linked to protecting our environment. Within the organization, we are actively building a workplace culture that demonstrates how we value equity and inclusion through more intentional and inclusive practices. We are committed to building an organization that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills.
LCVEF seeks a proven strategic thinker with excellent writing and storytelling skills to join our institutional giving team. The ideal candidate is a collaborator by nature; detail-oriented; and, thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. We are looking for an individual who will be nimble and welcomes the challenge of changing course as priorities shift. The position is a fit for someone passionate about doing work that makes the world a better place and has a commitment to racial justice and equity. We are looking for an individual with experience writing on a range of issues including the environment, community organizing, democracy, civic engagement and/or social justice.
The Director of Institutional Writing and Strategy is part of a core team charged with the creation of all written content for the Institutional Giving program at LCVEF and its sister organization, LCV, including, but not limited to: grant proposals and reports to grant-making organizations, factsheets for programs and initiatives, online content, as well as frequent and customized impact updates for existing and prospective funders. This position will also be responsible for cultivating and stewarding a portfolio of current funders and prospective new funders as well as guiding the overall strategy for expanding funding for a wide range of program areas at LCVEF and LCV, including, but not limited to, the climate, clean energy, and conservation programs. Additional program areas include voting rights protection, civic engagement and community organizing through our Chispa program. This position reports to the Senior Director of Institutional Giving and works collaboratively with staff across the organization.
Responsibilities:
Writing
- Develop and manage production of well-written, high-impact, and tailored grant proposals, applications, progress reports, draft budgets, and other collateral materials as needed that compellingly convey mission and direction, including LCVEF’s commitment to racial justice and equity, and address the programmatic interests of each funder.
- Develop high-level messaging and framing for the organization and key programs; work with program staff to frame LCVEF programs and initiatives, including a state or regional perspective as needed.
- Work extensively with program staff to develop, write, and present new or pilot proposals to funders. Ensure that proposals elevate our work with historically disenfranchised groups who have been pushed or left out of the democratic process, particularly communities of color.
- Oversee the proposal development and submission process, including: coordinating with Development Manager, program staff, and the finance team to gather necessary content and materials; ensuring all proposals and applications are complete and submitted on time; and maintaining a library of standard attachment materials.
- Support administrative processes for LCVEF grants, as needed.
- Collaborate with institutional giving team to schedule funder meetings, including drafting and sending emails and phone outreach.
- Collaborate with institutional giving team to create research briefings.
Strategy
- In collaboration with the Senior Director of Institutional Giving, develop comprehensive short- and long-term cultivation and stewardship plans for current, lapsed, and prospective institutional funders.
- In collaboration with the Senior Director of Institutional Giving and the climate, clean energy and conservation program staff, develop a program-specific prospecting strategy to build out an institutional funder prospect pipeline aligned with strategic growth priorities.
- In collaboration with the Senior Director of Institutional Giving, regularly evaluate progress towards development goals and the overall effectiveness of the Institutional Giving program, and make strategic adjustments as necessary.
- Provide strategic guidance on coordinating, scripting, preparing for, and following up on meetings with funders.
- Directly manage a defined portfolio of existing funders and prospects to ensure they are cultivated, stewarded and solicited as appropriate. Funders’ priorities may include climate, clean energy, and conservation as well as other program areas of LCVEF.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Work experience: Required - Minimum of 4 years of experience in professional fundraising including at least 2 years of grant writing. Successful track record for securing significant commitments from institutional funders. Proven track record of delivering high quality results ahead of deadlines. Preferred - Experience working with a progressive organization or other environmental organization a plus. Experience working with Salesforce or other CRM for record keeping and moves management. Experience writing on a range of issues including the environment, issue advocacy, democracy, civic engagement and/or social justice. Experience working for an organization that maintains both 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) entities. Supervisory experience a plus.
- Skills: Excellent persuasive written and oral communications skills. Highly organized and adept at maintaining systems for easy access to information and data. Solid judgment, critical thinking skills. Ability to speak and write with confidence around issues of racial justice and equity a strong plus. A sense of teamwork and community, as well as the ability to work independently. Proficient in Microsoft Office suite and G suite preferred.
- Cultural Competence: Shares our commitment to increasing racial diversity in our movement and organization, integrating justice and equity into the work we do and ensuring an inclusive organizational culture.
- Conditions: Able to work hours in excess of stated office hours to get the job done, as needed. The location of this position is flexible.
To Apply: Send: (1) cover letter, (2) resume, (3) three writing samples, and (4) contact information for three professional references to: hr@lcvef.org with “Director of Institutional Writing and Strategy” in the subject line by April 30, 2019. No phone calls please.
LCVEF is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a racially just, equitable and inclusive workplace.