New York, NY

Deputy Executive Director for Development, Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative North America

The Organization

The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), is an international, not-for-profit research and development organization (R&D) that discovers, develops, and delivers lifesaving medicines for people with neglected diseases around the world.  We use the power of innovation, open science, partnerships, and advocacy to find solutions to a great injustice: the lack of medicines for life-threatening diseases that disproportionately impact poor and marginalized people.

DNDi was launched in 2003 when five leading research institutes from Brazil, India, Kenya, Malaysia, and France teamed up with Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), after MSF dedicated a portion of its 1999 Nobel Peace Prize award to exploring a new, alternative, not-for-profit model for developing drugs for neglected populations. Nearly two decades later, DNDi has grown into a network of more than 200 partner institutions that span the globe, united in bringing the best science to the most neglected. Together, we have delivered eight new treatments that have saved millions of lives.

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, DNDi has built a team of approximately 250 employees working across nine countries. DNDi North America, created in 2008 and based in New York City, is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit that works to strengthen and expand scientific networks, policy and advocacy influence, partner development, communications, and in particular, fundraising efforts to enhance DNDi’s global impact.

Position Overview

DNDi is seeking a dynamic, seasoned, and mission-driven U.S. Deputy Executive Director for Development to lead the development and execution of DNDi’s U.S. private resource mobilization efforts as part of an ambitious global goal, set forth in the new 2021-2028 Strategic Plan, to raise $40 million in new philanthropic support by 2028.

DNDi is looking for a strategic, hands-on, passionate, and creative individual who is deeply committed to global health equity. Managing a small U.S.-based team of staff and consultants, s/he will be responsible for cultivating and securing new support from high net-worth individuals, foundations, corporations, and other private donors in the U.S. – bringing a nascent major donor program to scale – and will also contribute to global strategies to diversify and sustain philanthropic funding for the organization. S/he will be capable of serving as a compelling spokesperson for DNDi, creating excitement about its mission, and inspiring others to support its goals. Once a robust private resource mobilization program is in place s/he may take on a broader strategy, planning, and managerial role within the DNDi North America office and team.

S/he will report to the DNDi North America Regional Executive Director, with a technical reporting line to the global Director of Donor Relations (External Relations).   S/he will also play a key advisory role in the design and stewardship of the global strategy as a member of the global steering committee for philanthropic fundraising and work as part of the global fundraising team. S/he will interact with the executive leadership of DNDi, the DNDi North America Board of Directors, and other relevant governing and advisory bodies.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Lead, design and execute a development strategy for DNDi in North America (including the annual and long-term development plans) in alignment with DNDi’s global fundraising goals, while playing a key role in a DNDi global fundraising steering group
  • Close 6+ figure major gifts from private individuals, foundations, corporations, and other private sources
  • Forge new relationships with prospects, build a portfolio of principal donors, strengthen relationships with existing donors
  • Help develop Board capacity and commitment to support fundraising objectives
  • Co-lead the creation and management of a global advisory council to champion DNDi, open doors and networks, increase visibility, and help secure substantial long-term financial support
  • Represent the organization publicly at philanthropic and other networking events
  • Oversee fundraising campaigns, identification and qualification of prospects, cultivation and stewardship efforts, solicitation strategies, and the development and timely submission of grant proposals and reports
  • Supervise, mentor, and support a small development team and ensure that appropriate budgets, systems, and procedures are in place
  • Oversee donor publications and donor communications for U.S. audiences working in partnership with the Communications team to align strategies and craft messaging
  • Serve as advisor to DNDi leadership regarding global strategies for private resource mobilization, working with counterpart(s) in other regions, and helping to create an organization-wide culture of development and philanthropy
  • Over time, oversee internal operations functions (human resources, administration, finance) and support strategic planning and positioning.

Experience

  • Minimum 15 years’ relevant experience in fundraising and philanthropy at a senior level, especially in the United States
  • A strong affinity for the mission, ideally grounded in experience with international NGOs, academic or research institutions, hospitals, or other organizations with global public health relevance
  • Successful track record of cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors and securing 6-8 figure principal gifts
  • Deep experience building successful private fundraising programs; knowledge of fundraising campaigns and event production preferred; experience raising significant funding from governments (especially the U.S. government) and/or multilateral institutions a plus
  • Experience managing budgets as well as teams, with a strong ability to recruit, train, mentor, and motivate

Skills & Attributes

  • Strong decision-making and leadership skills; wisdom and good judgment; keen analytic and problem-solving skills
  • History of building effective, collaborative working relationships
  • Ability to write and communicate effectively with a variety of internal and external stakeholders
  • Strong commitment to establishing and maintaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment
  • Multi-lingual skills (Spanish or French preferred) and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated
  • Ability to travel (pandemic permitting) both within the U.S. and globally
  • Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Suite; experience with Salesforce a plus

Salary & Benefits

Salary commensurate with experience. Generous benefits package, including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, generous vacation days, and contributions to individuals’ 403(b) plans.

How To Apply

Please submit your cover letter and resume at https://dndi.org/work-with-us/2021/jobs/deputy-executive-director-for-development.

DNDi North America strives to be an actively anti-racist organization and is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We strongly encourage Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), women, individuals with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ community to apply.

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