The Organization
At Summer Search, we believe in ‘No Ceilings’ and envision a world in which young people, regardless of circumstances, can chart their own destiny. In the United States, students from underserved communities – disproportionately BIPOC and first-generation – face systemic inequities in school, in the workforce, and in life. Nevertheless, these young people possess unique strengths, resilience, and limitless potential.
Since 1990, Summer Search has partnered with young people during their transition from adolescence into adulthood by connecting them to expansive opportunities, professional mentoring, and a community of support. Summer Searchers recognize their potential and build a toolkit to navigate and challenge systemic barriers, break new ground for their families and communities, and achieve economic equity and a life of purpose.
Position Overview
Summer Search is seeking an Associate Director of Development to lead Summer Search Philadelphia to reaching their 1.5-million-dollar fundraising goal. Working closely with the Philadelphia Executive Director, Boston Deputy Director, and managing a Development Coordinator, the Associate Director of Development will partner with a committed Philadelphia board and national development leadership to build Summer Search’s capacity to serve even more Philadelphia youth.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
Manage and coordinate the smooth execution of fundraising
- Support Summer Search Philadelphia to raise $1M from a portfolio of 100 donors through successful relationship management.
- Oversee the short- and long-term tracking towards our ~$1.5MM annual revenue goal. This entails managing the master development calendar of major donor activity, prepping and leading weekly development team meetings, and reporting on goal progress to key stakeholders.
- Build donor-specific cultivation strategies, leveraging staff and Board leadership to solicit and steward prospects and donors.
- Partner with Deputy Director of Development and Executive Director to drive institutional giving through building relationships with foundations and submitting grants.
- Create and/or optimize systems for tracking revenue and donor touchpoints, keeping a holistic view on all team deadlines and deliverables. Manage up/down/across to ensure key players meet deadlines.
- Manage and mentor Development Coordinator in order to ensure revenue success, staff professional development and excellent development operations, including research, gift acknowledgment, and data tracking and analysis against fundraising goals. Represent development and alumni programming on Philadelphia’s Director team.
- Leverage data, stories, knowledge of the regional educational landscape and communities in communications with external funders and donors.
- Collaborate with local and national development staff to support key network-wide partnerships with corporate, foundation, and individual donors.
Event management and support
- Serve as the strategic lead and manage a committee of volunteers for Philadelphia’s signature golf event.
Serve as a helpful and highly visible liaison to the Philadelphia Advisory Board
- Following the lead of the Executive Director, support the Advisory Board, working with the group to promote a culture of philanthropy and offering proactive support and guidance for their development activities.
Alumni Engagement
- Set and manage a strategy to engage Summer Search Philadelphia alumni across four pillars: philanthropy, community, leadership, and professional development. Meet quantitative goals for alumni engagement and giving.
WHO YOU ARE
Strong candidates for Associate Director of Development will bring:
- At least 5 years of professional experience in the nonprofit development field, with a track record of successful individual and major donor solicitation, cultivation, and stewardship resulting in 5- and 6-figure gifts. Board liaison experience and knowledge of Philadelphia educational landscape and community is a plus.
- FUNDRAISING STRATEGIES: You approach fundraising through an analytical and data-driven lens and are hands-on in translating strategy into tangible activities and goals.
- RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT: You partner with prospects and donors by building lasting relationships to support the organizational mission and meet fundraising goals.
- PROJECT MANAGEMENT: You take initiative to create systems and structures to achieve goals and objectives. You succeed at managing multiple workstreams and motivating, coordinating, and directing others to stay on track.
- CULTURAL HUMILITY: You lead with empathy and self-reflection to respect the beliefs, customs and values of people in order to foster inclusivity and respond to the needs of our communities.
- PEOPLE MANAGEMENT: You coach, guide and support members of your team towards achieving individual and collective goals. As a leader you embody practices to effectively hold space, facilitate professional growth, amplify strengths, and hold staff members accountable. Your management style reflects your ability to be adaptive, responsive, and supportive of your team to show up as their authentic and full self.
- TECHNOLOGY SKILLS: Experience with Raiser’s Edge or comparable fundraising database and all Microsoft Office functions required.
In addition, all Summer Search staff bring a commitment to our mission of unleashing students’ potential through mentoring and transformative experiences, as well as the ability to thrive in an environment that values excellence, gratitude, well-being, diversity, authenticity, and collaboration.
LOCATION
This is a hybrid position with at least 3 days a week of the employee’s choosing in the Summer Search Philadelphia office and up to two days of remote work weekly.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Competitive and transparent salaries. This is an exempt position with an annual salary ranging from $84,719 – $94,034. Summer Search is committed to transparent, equitable compensation practices. Salaries are benchmarked using current market data and salary bands are created to demonstrate the growth potential within the band. Typically, offers are made at the starting place of the salary band. The Hiring Manager partners with the Talent Team to ensure offers are appropriate, competitive and maintain internal equity.
Well-being, flexibility, and ongoing learning and development are pillars of our culture. We value our staff and are committed to creating an environment where every individual feels seen, heard and valued. Investments in our staff include:
- Medical insurance with up to 90% employer contribution
- Dental, vision, FSA, life and disability insurance plans
- 401 (K) and Employer Match up to $2,000 annually
- Generous time off including 15 vacation days, 10 sick days, and 18 holidays (2 floating holidays of your choice, a birthday day-off, 10 company-wide holidays, and a 1-week December closure). Plus, Re-Fresh Friday’s – a paid half day off the first Friday of every month!
- A comprehensive Employee Recognition Program (years of service awards, spot awards, and professional development funding).
- A four-week paid sabbatical after five years of continuous employment.
- Individual, local, regional and national training
- A commitment to developing leaders from within the organization.
- An organizational culture that supports staff well-being and holistic self-care/community care
- Ample opportunities to connect with the students and communities we serve.
OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
With a staff that cares deeply about social justice and racial justice, we believe that diverse perspectives and backgrounds create a rich work environment and enhance our ability to pursue our mission. We are committed to building an organization with raised consciousness in order to impact how we work with students, as well as how we work together as a team. We hope you will join us as we continue to build a justice-centered organization that fosters a work environment where people from all backgrounds are welcomed and valued.
How To Apply
Click here to submit a resume and targeted cover letter, addressed to Kristie Loftus, Deputy Director that answers the question, “Why are you interested in the Associate Director of Development opportunity at Summer Search?”