Environmental Law Institute | Director of Philanthropic Partnerships

Remote

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) makes law work for people, places, and the planet. ELI is a highly respected nongovernmental organization renowned for its impartiality, integrity, and cross-cutting expertise in environmental governance. Founded in 1969, for over half a century ELI has helped shape the development of environmental law and policy throughout the United States and the world by producing trusted analyses of pressing issues, publishing leading commentary on the current state of the field, and fostering discussion while educating lawyers, judges, academics, and others around the globe.

In 2024, the organization finalized a new strategic plan to help the organization meet the needs of both today and the future in the form of an inclusive, actionable plan focused on prioritizing actions and deepening impact. After recently hiring the new Vice President of Development, ELI is currently seeking to add a Director of Philanthropic Partnerships to play a critical role in the implementation of our vision and newly created strategic plan.

THE OPPORTUNITY
The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) is in an exciting new chapter, driven by a 55-year powerful and pervasive commitment to tackling the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges. As the inaugural Director of Philanthropic Partnerships, you will have a rare opportunity to help shape the future of an organization at the forefront of environmental law and policy. This role is more than a job—it’s a chance to build transformative relationships that will empower ELI to expand its reach, amplify its impact, and address the urgent environmental issues of our time.

This new role is part of an ambitious vision spearheaded by ELI’s new Vice President of Development, a dynamic and experienced leader with a bold strategy for growth and innovation. As Director, you will work closely with this exceptional leader to cultivate high-value institutional partnerships, develop innovative funding strategies, and collaborate with ELI’s world-class legal and policy experts.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Director of Philanthropic Partnerships will be instrumental in securing essential resources to tackle the planet's most urgent environmental challenges. The Director, working in close partnership with the Vice President of Development, will collaborate with ELI's esteemed legal and scientific experts to grow the organization's institutional funding. This role will be a vital member of ELI’s Development Department, driving ambitious growth and impact during a pivotal time for our planet.

Primary Goals/Objectives
The primary objective of the Director of Philanthropic Partnerships is to cultivate and expand high-value relationships with key institutional partners to significantly enhance ELI’s impact. This role is critical in strengthening ELI’s existing partnerships while securing new sources of revenue for the organization. As a key contributor to ELI, the Director will empower staff and external partners to make environmental, economic, and social progress.

1. Building the skills and capacity of tomorrow’s leaders and institutions
2. Researching and analyzing complex and pressing environmental challenges
3. Promoting and disseminating the best thinking through print and electronic media
4. Convening people with diverse perspectives to build understanding through robust dialogue

Position Responsibilities
The Director will develop and implement strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and expand a multi-million-dollar grant portfolio. This role is responsible for fostering and managing strong relationships with institutional partners, leading them from initial engagement through grant approval, administration, and reporting. The Director will oversee the Grants and Contracts Manager and manage the pipeline, dashboard, and full grant funding process.

Foundation Partnerships/Strategy

• Develop Strategy: In collaboration with the Vice President of Development and Vice President of Research and Policy, design and implement a comprehensive strategy to meet and grow annual revenue targets.
• Relationship Management: Execute high-level relationship management to cultivate, solicit, and steward current and prospective foundation partners, ensuring long-term engagement and support.
• Research and Analysis: Conduct research to identify new funding opportunities and align them with organizational priorities, focusing on trends in corporate and institutional giving.

Grant Management and Compliance

• Systems Development: Develop and refine internal systems (pipeline, dashboard, others) to track and monitor all foundation funding opportunities from cultivation to stewardship.
• Grant Oversight: Oversee the Grant and Contracts manager to ensure compliance with deliverables, timelines, and reporting requirements with program and finance teams.
• Record Maintenance: Maintain accurate records of all grant activities, including reports, and communications in the CRM database.
• Proposal Development: Structure proposals and program objectives tailored to foundation priorities, including drafting, reviewing, editing, and submitting proposals and reports as needed.

Collaboration and Communication

• Proposal Structuring: Work with program staff to frame proposals with clear goals, activities, and outcomes aligned with organizational and foundation priorities.
• Internal Communication: Lead regular communication with internal teams on institutional relationships, deadlines, and potential opportunities.
• External Engagement: Represent the organization at funder meetings, events, and other networking opportunities to build and strengthen relationships.
• Strategic Communication: Partner with the communications team to ensure regular, strategic outreach to philanthropic partners.
• Thought Leadership: Serve as a thought partner for the Development Department, supporting the team’s efforts to achieve ambitious goals.

Performance Management and Reporting

• Monitoring and Evaluation: Monitor and evaluate foundation fundraising performance, providing regular updates and insights to leadership.
• Data Analysis: Analyze data and trends to identify growth opportunities and prepare strategic recommendations for future efforts.
• Board Reporting: Prepare reports on fundraising progress for the Board as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities
The Director of Philanthropic Partnerships is responsible for supervising the Grants and Contracts Manager and other staff as specified by the Vice President of Development.

Required Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The Development & Membership department thrives on collaboration, and the Director must interact professionally with individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, political, and socioeconomic backgrounds. We are committed to anti-racist practices and principles, actively supporting ELI’s culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.

Key Skills and Qualifications:

• Experience: At least 6 years of development experience with an emphasis on foundation fundraising, including track record of success in securing multiple six-figure foundation grants and an extensive foundation portfolio.
• Knowledge: Baseline understanding of environmental issues or relevant experience and significant knowledge with foundation fundraising and institutional giving strategies.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to connect program initiatives to broader organizational goals and outcomes.
• Project Management: Exceptional project management skills, with the capacity to handle multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Communication Excellence: Exceptional professional writing and editing skills, with a track record of producing compelling proposals and donor communications.
• Presentation & Public Speaking: Strong presentation skills and confidence in engaging and soliciting high-level foundation officers and donors.
• Relationship Building: Ability to identify, qualify, and maintain positive, authentic relationships with foundations and donors.
• Technical Proficiency: Skilled in using standard office software and maintaining donor management systems and platforms, such as Salesforce.

Demonstrated Abilities:

• Collaborate effectively within a team of dedicated professionals.
• Motivate others and make significant contributions to shared goals.
• Embrace challenges and navigate times of uncertainty with resilience.
• Adapt to and remain flexible in a rapidly evolving field.

Required Education and Experience

• Degree or equivalent experience: Bachelors or equivalent degree

An employee in this position will also be required to work at ELI related events located outside the ELI office space.

Desired Start Date Winter 2024/2025
Compensation: This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position; the annual salary range is $100,000 to $120,000 dependent on qualifications/experience. ELI offers a generous benefits package and work/life balance.

Location: remote/travel within the United States.
Travel Requirements: ELI’s offices are in Washington, DC so there will be occasional travel there as needed; travel for donor meetings, conferences, etc. as is appropriate for the role.

To Apply: The Environmental Law Institute has retained Kay Linder, Partner with ThinkingAhead Executive Search’s Nonprofit Division to serve as our recruiting partner. If you are interested and qualified, please submit your resume/cover letter to:

Kay Linder
Partner, Nonprofit Division,
ThinkingAhead Executive Search
klinder@thinkingahead.com

Reach out to learn more or nominate a qualified candidate.

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