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Director of Development

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), world renowned for raising awareness and pressing for change on the most severe human rights violations of the day, seeks a dynamic, experienced Director of Development to expand and lead its fundraising program. This is a reopened search. To apply, see below.

About Physicians for Human Rights

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) is an independent not-for-profit organization that mobilizes the specialized skills, rigor and passion of health professionals and scientists to investigate and stop egregious violations of human rights. PHR focuses on mass atrocities and severe human rights violations against individuals. PHR conducts research and investigations globally, and advocates for the:

  • Prevention of individual and small-scale violations from becoming mass atrocities.
  • Protection of internationally guaranteed rights of individuals and civilian populations.
  • Prosecution of perpetrators and accountability for violations.

PHR was founded in 1986 based on the idea that health professionals, with their scientific expertise, ethical commitment, and credible voices, are uniquely positioned to address human rights violations. Today, PHR’s expertise and voice is sought by human rights organizations, governments, United Nations agencies, international courts and tribunals, and local and regional groups. The integrity of PHR’s research and investigations allows its work with others to raise awareness and press for change on the most severe human rights violations of the day. PHR is a co-recipient of the Nobel Prize for Peace.

PHR is a 501c3 organization with an annual budget of approximately $5.5 million. The organization will be relocating the majority of its staff, including the Executive Director and Development Department, to New York City from Cambridge, MA by June of 2013. It will continue to maintain a small public policy office in Washington, DC, as well as a satellite office in Boston.

Served by a dedicated staff of 32 and a distinguished 18-member Board of Directors, as well as cadres of expert consultants and volunteers, PHR is supported primarily by multi-year grants from foundations, governments, members and individual donors.

Strategic Vision and Opportunity

PHR has a rich 25-year history and is poised for growth. Fundraising will play a vital role in the organization’s ability to increase its impact on the world. The leadership of PHR has set a goal of $6.2M for FY 2013 that will include building a major gifts program and increasing support from public and private foundations. Recruiting a seasoned development professional with a passion for human rights, the ability to inspire and engage major donors is the first priority to achieving that goal.

Reports to: Executive Director

Location: New York City

About the Position

The Director of Development (DOD) will work closely with an Executive Director who came to PHR with a very strong background in non-profit management and extensive development experience. The DOD will design, articulate and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy for the organization in close collaboration with the Board of Directors and Executive Management Team. The DOD will manage an experienced and highly professional development team charged with developing new and creative approaches to increase individual giving (major donors, internet outreach) and ensure ongoing philanthropic support from foundations, corporations, and governments.

The ideal candidate will possess proven leadership, management, and organizational skills; a strong record of securing new donors and track record with cultivation and solicitation of major donors; experience with acquisition programs, substantial experience working with Boards; and the energy, enthusiasm, professionalism and drive to achieve ambitious fundraising goals.

In addition, PHR seeks a candidate with a strong personal commitment to human rights issues, an understanding of how to successfully build and engage a membership constituency - primarily health professionals - and synchronize fundraising initiatives with the core mission of the organization. Such an affinity for PHR’s mission will be essential in successfully developing a vision for the development operation.

Responsibilities Include:

  • Oversee a staff of four, including: Senior Manager, Institutional Development; Grant Writer; Major Gifts and Special Events Officer; Development Associate; Consultants and Interns.
  • Provide dynamic and innovative leadership for PHR's fundraising efforts, building an infrastructure that supports short- and long-term goals, including the implementation of a major gifts program and an online fundraising strategy. Maintain and expand a strong financial base for the organization by strategically utilizing resources to develop, build and sustain diverse funding sources.
  • Inspire and engage a group of elite donors, primarily health and medical professionals, interested in promoting human rights.
  • Initiate an acquisition program to expand the pool of major and individual gift donors. Deepen relationships with current donors while launching initiatives to identify and target other individuals capable of making major financial contributions.
  • Develop an annual fundraising event in New York City and possibly other cities.
  • Staff the Nominating and Development Committees of the Board of Directors. Assist in the identification, recruitment and cultivation of Board members on a national basis, identifying key leaders with an affinity for the mission and programs of PHR. Build a volunteer structure that encourages a peer-to-peer model of cultivation and solicitation. Work with the Board on both “giving” and “getting” to build momentum towards becoming a fundraising Board.
  • Guide and support senior staff who are engaged with fundraising. Utilize key leaders’ time and talents appropriately with respect to cultivation, solicitation and stewardship efforts.
  • Maintain and build upon PHR’s base of foundation support. Provide insights and develop new strategies and tailored cases for support to enhance the organization’s relationships with the foundation community.
  • Develop, implement and follow through on all fund-raising events and ensure that events are strategically positioned to raise funds effectively and efficiently.
  • Oversee Development Department operations, including gift accounting and acknowledgement, computer system operations, the tracking of gifts and grants, planned gift distributions, donor stewardship and integration with PHR’s data systems.
  • Work closely with the Communications team to enhance messaging at all levels of the organization, keeping donors and the public informed, thanked and involved; providing vehicles for more effective Board and staff fundraising communications; and ensuring increased giving opportunities through our web site.
  • Oversee all Development employee staff activities; recruit and train a diverse and high-quality staff that is well-prepared to meet the ongoing challenges of a fast-moving organization; define job responsibilities, set goals and objectives, and conduct regular performance reviews for all Development staff.
  • Foster an environment that rewards new ideas and entrepreneurship that builds confidence, encourages teamwork, and promotes diversity; celebrate current achievements and set clear expectations for future success.
  • Plan and carefully manage the development budget, ensuring that funds are spent efficiently and effectively in support of PHR’s mission.
  • Liaise and collaborate with the Director of Communications on all advancement-related activities.
  • Work collaboratively and in coordination with other department directors, including through active participation in the work of the entire Executive Management Team. Conduct effective interdepartmental communications and provide regular summaries of all development activities to PHR directors.

Qualifications and Experience

  • An energetic, dynamic leader who has a 7 to 10-year track record of effective fundraising.
  • Experience formulating and executing a successful, comprehensive multi-million dollar fundraising program at national and international levels, including annual campaigns, foundations grants, major giving, direct mail, and planned giving.
  • Proven ability to cultivate, solicit and steward individual gifts. Experience with donor acquisition is preferred.
  • Strong management skills, both strategic and operations, and a demonstrated ability to build, manage, mentor and motivate an effective team.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior leadership, Board members, staff and volunteers, providing strong support and inspiring them to productive action.
  • Thoughtful and creative problem solving skills.
  • Excellent written, presentation and communication skills with the ability to deal with sensitive human rights issues, both directly and passionately, and translate PHR's mission and programs into fundraising initiatives that garner financial support.
  • Proven ability for operational efficiency and optimal use of resources; the skills to plan, monitor and tightly manage a budget.
  • Ability to work to deadline in a fast-paced environment, and to respond to late-breaking events and opportunities.
  • Excellent staff development and management skills.
  • A sense of humor.
  • A proven ability to gain the respect and cooperation of all interested parties, including national leaders who are doctors and advocates in the global human rights community.
  • Knowledge of and familiarity with Raiser’s Edge and experience using CRM such as Convio’s Luminate is desirable.
  • A strong commitment to human rights.
  • Bachelor's degree.
  • Willingness to travel.

To Apply:

E-mail resume and cover letter in confidence to:
tmarshall@developmentguild.com
Tracy Marshall, Senior Consultant
Development Guild/DDI
617.277.2112

PHR is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. PHR encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, and veteran status.

Date Posted: April 12, 2013