Assistant Director of Development

African Sisters Education Collaborative
Scranton, PA
Assistant Director of Development

African Sisters Education Collaborative Mission and Programs

 African Sisters Education Collaborative (“ASEC”) was founded in 1999 as a non-profit organization in Scranton, Pennsylvania, by four Catholic colleges and four congregations of Catholic religious Sisters. ASEC educates Catholic sisters in ten African countries, providing them with knowledge and skills that empower them to profoundly impact their communities and society. ASEC administers five programs in Africa and has served over 8,000 Sisters and students.

While ASEC’s programs are run locally in Africa, administrative offices are based in Scranton, Pennsylvania, at Marywood University.  ASEC is led by an Executive Director and is governed by a volunteer, non-paid Board of Directors. 

Throughout ASEC’s history, its work has been supported by generous individual, corporate, and foundation donors, with a large percentage of its funding coming from one source.  ASEC is currently undertaking a major gifts initiative to ensure our path to sustainability.  As part of this initiative, ASEC seeks to largely broaden its donor base, including both individual and corporate/foundation funders. Additionally, ASEC seeks to strengthen its ongoing major gifts, grants, annual stewardship, fundraising events, and community engagement, which are the heart and soul of support for a non-profit organization.

Purpose and Scope of the Position

To support ASEC in its mission, the Assistant Director of Development will be responsible for successfully expanding and implementing the goals of the development program.  In collaboration with the Director of Development, the Executive Director and Board of Directors, the Assistant Director of Development will develop new relationships while maintaining and growing existing ones and building the organization’s visibility, impact, and philanthropic resources. The Assistant Director will be responsible for raising private, corporate, and foundation funding to support ASEC’s initiatives that provide access to education for women religious in Africa while executing organization-wide strategies to increase fundraising capacity. Additionally, this position will be responsible and accountable for leading ASEC’s major gifts initiative, The Path to Sustainability.

The ideal candidate has development experience and can motivate others (e.g. donors, staff, volunteers, and community leaders) to support ASEC through their meaningful contribution of gifts and talents, as well as a proven track record in soliciting and securing major gifts and building productive relationships with a variety of constituents.

Additionally, the Assistant Director of Development will be responsible for major and planned gifts, support donor stewardship, volunteer cultivation, corporate philanthropic support, constituent communications, and social media functions for development. The Assistant Director of Development reports to the Director of Development. 

Overview:

Philanthropic Revenue and Institutional Development

  • Spearhead major gifts initiative, a comprehensive program of identification, cultivation, and stewardship of leadership and major gift prospects.
  • Beyond the major gifts’ initiative, create and lead an annual giving program to raise a minimum of $1 million annually through individual gifts, foundations, corporate support and grants
  • Create a coordinated communication plan, including print and digital tools to advance the philanthropic message, motivate giving, and demonstrate gift impact

Specific Responsibilities

Major/ Capital and Planned Gifts

  • Identify prospects for transformational and leadership support through philanthropy and engagement, and maintain a Moves Management plan for prospective major donors
  • Establish a planned gift program through marketing and individualized promotion
  • Conduct one-on-one and/or small group meetings with prospects and donors
  • Explore and pursue opportunities to develop major gifts from African sources – individuals, corporations and foundations

Management Team, Board and Committee Guidance

  • Work closely with the Director of Development, Executive Director and Board to steward and deepen existing relationships and cultivate new advocates and supporters.
  • Attend and provide reports for Mission Development Board Committee meetings.
  • Serve as a visible ambassador for ASEC and articulate its mission to external constituents;

Internal Management and Infrastructure

  • Plan Special Event activities including event logistics and identifying and soliciting major sponsors
  • Train, manage and mentor volunteers, and support staff in donor cultivation and professional fundraising techniques to ensure support of the organization’s revenue growth goals.
  • Partner with the Director of Development, finance and accounting staff to sustain efficient, effective and transparent financial tracking and reporting processes
  • Engage with all other departments within ASEC to create an understanding of and appreciation for the Development function.
  • Ensure consistent messaging and branding in all print and digital donor communication

Foundation & Grants

  • Guide the research, proposal, and follow-up strategy for outreach to foundations and corporations

 

Additional Job Functions

  • Perform other position-related duties as necessary and/or as assigned by the Executive Director

Attributes:

  • Desire to foster an environment of cohesiveness and collaboration
  • Ability to support and motivate a wide range of individuals – staff and volunteers – on all levels
  • Strong organizational skills including goal setting, prioritization and team building
  • Proactive ability to network and cultivate relationships
  • Exceptional communication and influencing skills: persuasive, credible and polished in both verbal and written communications
  • Creative, independent, and strategic thinker
  • Self-starter with a proven ability to meet and complete multiple tasks with solid deadlines
  • A commitment to supporting the mission and Catholic values of ASEC

Qualifications:

  • BA (required)
  • A minimum of three to five years’ experience in development programs
  • Demonstrated fundraising success within a comprehensive development program
  • Previous engagement and collaboration with both staff and Board members
  • Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office, and CRM software
  • Evening/weekend work occasionally required as well as travel for prospect meetings
  • Valid driver’s license

Salary and Benefits:

  • Full complement of competitive benefits 
  • Salary commensurate with experience

To Apply

This search is being conducted by the Executive Search Division of Ruotolo Associates Inc.  Inquiries regarding this position are strictly confidential and should be directed to: [email protected].  Interested applicants are requested to submit a resume and cover letter with salary range.  References will be requested of all finalists but may be submitted along with resume and cover letter.

African Sisters Education Collaborative is an equal-opportunity employer.