The Legal Aid Society (LAS) is proud to be the largest, most influential social justice law firm in New York City with more than 2,000 staff providing services across all 5 boroughs.
LAS is seeking an exceptional, results-oriented Chief Development Officer (CDO) to spearhead and grow our private fundraising efforts. Currently, the Development team raises approximately $20M per in restricted and unrestricted funds from individuals, law firms, companies, and foundations. As the largest public defender in NYC, the majority of our services to the community are covered through constitutionally and legally-mandated government funding. We are able to expand our reach, broaden our services, and amplify our impact through private funding.
The CDO is charged with leading the design and implementation of a comprehensive private fundraising and partnership plan in alignment with LAS’ overall strategic plan. This is a particularly exciting time to join the organization as we prepare to launch our 150th Anniversary campaign. The ideal candidate will have extensive expertise and vision in growing a private donor base using a creative, multi-faceted approach including experience in: collaborating with a Board of Directors, identifying and cultivating new sources of support, forging positive and collaborative relationships with our councils and networks, organizing events and galas, and managing direct-mail and online giving initiatives.
Reporting directly to the Attorney-in-Chief / Chief Executive Officer, the CDO will be a member of the executive team for LAS and work closely with the Board of Directors and other Legal Aid departments, particularly the Communications team. The CDO is accountable for the oversight, management, and mentorship of a team of 11 development professionals which includes 3 direct reports – the Director of Development Operations, the Director of Corporate Partnerships, and the Director of Institutional Giving.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy, Planning, and Infrastructure
- Develop, manage, and deliver a clearly defined fundraising plan that will advance LAS’ fundraising growth, strengthen our pipeline, and increase the donor’s affinity and support for LAS’ mission
- Assess and manage all aspects of development functions and organizational needs
- Oversee and develop systems, infrastructure, and procedures that enhance the team’s ability to set and track progress towards fundraising goals and intelligently recruit, retain, and advance donors
- Set short and long-term fundraising performance metrics, goals, and milestones; monitor benchmarking and progress measurement processes; ensure accurate and timely reporting of fundraising progress
- Create strategies for success. Identify and implement improvements to systems and procedures
- Effectively utilize technology and data to drive better decision making and bring rigor to fundraising processes and decisions
- Prepare and manage an annual development budget and its annual work plan, with an eye towards efficient and effective use of fundraising costs
Fundraising Expertise
- Oversee the development and growth of a multi-faceted approach to a diversified portfolio of private funders. This includes:
- Individual giving initiatives – including major giving, annual giving, planned giving, and membership circles
- Institutional giving – identifying, cultivating, and sustaining multi-year partnerships
- Growing and guiding the vision, planning, and execution of fundraising events and galas – including a 150thAnniversary campaign
- Executing direct mail and online fundraising campaigns
- Identify and spearhead new fundraising opportunities and strategies that align with the interests of donors and the organization’s strategic priorities through sound business intelligence and metrics. Oversee the development and implementation of these new initiatives
- Identify and oversee management of vendors, services, and consultants
- Partner with the AIC/CEO and other key staff members to leverage fundraising activities
Leadership and Team Management
- Engage the Board of Directors and LAS’ various membership circle constituents in meaningful participation that will boost a culture of fundraising, support, energy, and engagement. Leverage the expertise and networks of the Board of Directors in supporting fundraising initiatives
- Position and support the AIC/CEO and other key senior leaders for successful donor cultivation and major gift solicitations
- Mentor and coach direct reports in setting performance standards and providing professional development to staff, thereby ensuring high team performance
- Serve as a member of LAS’ executive team, participating in setting organizational priorities and organizational culture
- Serve as a key brand ambassador and steward, advocating for LAS’ mission and enhancing our reputation amongst donors and the general public
- Other duties as assigned
- Minimum of 10 years of professional fundraising experience in progressively responsible supervisory experience with at least 3 years in a senior fundraising leadership role, preferably at a large, NYC-based nonprofit organization
- Bachelor’s degree required; CFRE, ACFRE, or Master’s degree in relevant field of study preferred
- Demonstrated success in developing and meeting fundraising targets, raising a minimum of $15M annually
- Extensive experience and strategic vision in fundraising through a variety of approaches and strategies including, but not limited to: events and galas; direct mail and online donations; individual, mid-level, major, and planned giving donors; corporations and foundations; and councils
- Expertise in leading major campaigns such as a milestone anniversary or capital campaign
- Track record of establishing, maintaining, growing, and inspiring donors, prospects, staff, and other constituents towards accomplishing fundraising goals
- Data-driven approach to fundraising. Skilled in revenue budgeting and forecasting, minimizing cost per dollar raised
- Tech-savvy with prior experience in optimizing use of fundraising databases, preferably Raisers’ Edge and NXT moves management
- Well-versed in technology, social media and content, and research methods to stay aligned with evolving marketing and donor metrics
- Excellent relationship management, interpersonal, and diplomacy skills
- Superb analytic, strategic-planning, and problem-solving skills
- Exceptional communicative and persuasive abilities, including strong written, verbal, and presentation skills that can articulate compelling reasons to support The Legal Aid Society
- Commitment to the professional development of their staff; track record of recruiting and retaining a diverse team
- Passion for equity and justice – and a commitment to Legal Aid’s mission
SALARY TRANSPARENCY
The posting reflects the range of potential salaries for the role. The specific salary offers will be dependent on candidate qualifications, including collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles.
Salary Range/ Salary: $184,000 - $205,000
SALARY AND BENEFITS
The leadership of The Legal Aid Society believes in attracting and retaining exceptional talent committed to serving our clients. We offer a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more. Salaries for our unionized jobs are governed by our Collective Bargaining Agreement. Please visit our Careers page for additional information. Salary and benefits information will be available to applicants, when and if an offer is made.
Click here to read more about the benefits of working at The Legal Aid Society
HIGHER EDUCATION AND LOAN FORGIVENESS
The Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This position allows an employee to take advantage of PSLF and other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs.
Additionally, employees who are New York residents may be eligible for assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice. To learn more, click the links below.
studentaid.gov
hesc.ny.gov/loan-forgiveness-programs
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
The leadership of The Legal Aid Society is committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice and excellent representation. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us.
WORK AUTHORIZATION
All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. We are currently unable to sponsor employment visas or permits. (However, for citizens of Canada and Mexico, LAS will provide a letter documenting employment status that is needed to obtain a TN visa.)
HOW TO APPLY
All applications must be completed online. We do not accept paper submissions. Please visit our Careers Page to review all current job postings, and instructions on the application process. For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, please email jobpostquestions@legal-aid.org.
As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on actual or perceived race or color, size (including bone structure, body size, height, shape, and weight), religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity (one’s internal deeply-held sense of one’s gender which may be the same or different from one’s sex assigned at birth); gender expression (the representation of gender as expressed through, for example, one’s name, choice of pronouns, clothing, haircut, behavior, voice, or body characteristics; gender expression may not conform to traditional gender-based stereotypes assigned to specific gender identities), disability, marital status, relationship and family structure (including domestic partnerships, polyamorous families and individuals, chosen family, platonic co-parents, and multigenerational families), genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, credit history, unemployment status, caregiver status, salary history, or any other characteristic protected by law.