The Organization
By inspiring and engaging individuals and communities, the Human Rights Campaign strives to end discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and realize a world that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. HRC envisions a world where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people, plus community members who use different language to describe identity, are ensured equality and embraced as full members of society at home, at work, and in every community.
HRC’s campaigns are focused on mobilizing those who envision a world strengthened by diversity, where our laws and society treat all people equally, including LGBTQ+ people and those who are multiply marginalized.
With an estimated 52 million Equality Voters across America, the community is one of the largest and most politically engaged voting blocs in the country.
The HRC Foundation, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization created in 1984, envisions a world where all LGBTQ+ people can participate fully in the systems that shape our daily lives. Through 11 programs spanning public education, research, and policy and practice change, the Foundation’s impact can be felt in schools, on factory floors and corporate suites, and in places of worship. It touches LGBTQ+ lives from childhood through end-of-life, people of all races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, abilities, and religious beliefs, in big cities and small towns, in the United States, and across the globe.
This is a pivotal moment in the movement for equality for LGBTQ+ people. Community members, particularly trans and BIPOC communities, are quite literally in the fight for their lives and facing unprecedented threats that seek to destroy them. The overturning of Roe v. Wade reminds us we are just one Supreme court decision away from losing fundamental freedoms, including the freedom to marry, voting rights, and privacy. We are facing a generational opportunity to rise to these challenges and create real, sustainable change. Working together, this change is possible right now. This next chapter of the Human Rights Campaign is about getting to freedom and liberation without any exceptions — and this work is being carried forward under the newly appointed leadership of HRC President Kelley Robinson in partnership with more than three million member-advocates.
Position Overview
Amid an environment characterized by decidedly high stakes but also brimming energy fueled by visionary new leadership, the Human Rights Campaign seeks candidates for Vice President of Development. Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Development and Membership, the Vice President of Development oversees the strategic direction, operational efficiency, and staff management of the following fundraising programs: major gifts, planned giving, foundation relations, mid‐level giving (Federal Club membership, starting at $100 per month), political fundraising, and events (30 per year). This leader personally manages a portfolio of donors and relationships, as well as engagement with members of the Board of Directors and HRC Foundation Board on fundraising. The Vice President of Development is also responsible for ensuring consistent, compelling communications with donors, prospects, and volunteers. They serve on the Development and Membership Department leadership team and as a key thought partner to the Senior Vice President of Development and Membership.
The Vice President of Development manages three direct reports and a staff comprising about 27 positions in total. They will work toward a total goal of securing approximately $40 million annually from corresponding fundraising programs.
HRC Workplace Culture
HRC’s culture is one of hope, opportunity, and entrepreneurial spirit. Colleagues strive to instill joy and optimism in their work, and rally together during periods of adversity.
A dynamic team of achievement-oriented professionals comprises the Development and Membership department, a learning lab dedicated to continuous improvement. Team members’ work to grow and achieve has yielded a number of long-tenured staff, and kindness and collaboration are important characteristics of the team culture. The department has built excellent infrastructure and systems, yet strives to remain innovative, always seeking ways to add value and capitalize on opportunities. Partnerships with volunteer leaders are meaningful and authentically collaborative.
HRC is a special place to work. The issues that HRC’s mission tackles are challenging, but the organization represents a culture and community working to bring safety, joy, and even love to people’s lives.
Candidate Profile
While the Human Rights Campaign will consider a broad range of backgrounds, the ideal candidate will have the following qualifications/experience:
- Commitment to HRC’s mission; knowledge of and a passion for the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
- Ten or more years of progressively responsible experience in individual fundraising, with emphasis on major gifts, political fundraising, and stewardship.
- Proven track record of positively influencing both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives and delivering philanthropic growth for a mission-based organization. Experience with the challenges of working across a large organization and broad, diverse network of stakeholders.
- Five or more years of management experience and the ability to lead and motivate large teams. Ability to recruit, evaluate, and develop professionals and contribute to the ongoing fostering of a results-oriented, multiracial/multicultural workforce. Track record of maintaining best practices, clear goals, and shared accountability.
- Demonstrated success in developing the case for support, aligning organizational needs with funder interests, and developing and executing strategic, innovative fundraising plans to grow revenue and exceed goals. Demonstrated experience cultivating, training, building relationships with, and working in collaboration with executives, senior staff, and board leaders on development-related activities, providing them with quality support and intelligence and increasing their comfort with and success in fundraising.
- Demonstrated ability to strategically move individuals and foundations, across the spectrum of prospect development. Substantial experience helping lead high-dollar leadership giving, political bundling operations, and political action committee/candidate fundraising.
- Experience working with strategies for identifying and cultivating the next generation of major gift donors.
- Demonstrated ability to integrate data into decision-making and strategy development.
- Ability to assist with department-wide budget development and experience with revenue forecasts.
- Flexibility with work schedule; this position requires evening and weekend work.
- Ability to travel up to 20% of the time, including weekends
- Bachelor’s degrees (or equivalent in work experience) in business, management or nonprofit management, political science, or related field.
HRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer
We strongly encourage people of color, transgender, and non-binary people to apply. HRC is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone, including non-LGBTQ+ people, to join its team. Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that people from marginalized communities are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. HRC is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your past experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
Full Vaccination (as defined by CDC guidelines) Required for All Positions
At this time, HRC is following the CDC’s definition of fully vaccinated (two doses of the MNR
vaccine or one of the J&J) and including up to date with your boosters. A person is up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination if they have received all recommended doses in the primary series and one booster when eligible. HRC will continue to review these criteria. Individuals may request accommodation if they are unable to be fully vaccinated for either medical or religious reasons.
How To Apply
Download the full position description here: https://diversifiedsearchgroup.com/search/18819-hrc
The Human Rights Campaign has retained the DSG Fundraising & Advancement Practice of the Diversified Search Group to assist in this confidential search process. Inquiries, nominations, and applications (current resumes and cover letters) may be submitted via the following link – https://talent-profile.diversifiedsearchgroup.com/search/v2/18819 or directed to:
Gerard F. Cattie, Jr.
Managing Director and DSG Fundraising & Advancement Practice Leader
Diversified Search Group
The Chrysler Building, 405 Lexington Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, New York 10174
gerard.cattie@divsearch.com | 212.542.2587