Director, Philanthropy

**Position Description**:

- The Director, Philanthropy will lead efforts to identify significant sources of new philanthropic funding and associated partnerships, cultivating relationships with external private funders and making connections to County stakeholders and community partners. The Director, Philanthropy will identify funding needs within the County and develop relationships with potential funders to align County needs with funding and partnership opportunities. The Director, Philanthropy will advance collaboration and engagement among County departments, stakeholders, and partners to secure external funding that furthers Harris County priorities.
- Within the Grants & Partnerships division of the Office of County Administration (OCA), the Director, Philanthropy will work closely with the Director, Grants Management and the Director, American Rescue Plan Portfolio Management Office (ARPA PMO). The Director, Philanthropy will be externally focused, developing relationships with private foundations, corporate funders, and other outside partners. The Director, Grants Management will focus on identifying and securing public funding opportunities and internal grant management.

The Director, ARPA PMO is responsible for the $1B American Rescue Plan portfolio, funding for which is only available through 2026. The Director, Philanthropy will play a key role in seeking sustainable funding, where necessary, for programs initially funded under ARPA, whether through direct grants to Harris County or through new partnerships between funders and County grantees.

**Duties and Responsibilities**:

- Develops, implements, and manages the philanthropic program of Harris County, consistent with the Countywide vision and strategic plan and in support of County priority outcomes.
- Collaborates with Commissioners Court members and staff, OCA staff, and department leaders to identify opportunities for philanthropic investment and private partnership.
- Establishes relationships with local and national grant makers, community partners, nonprofit agencies, and research institutions to elevate Harris County programs, priorities, and needs, developing linkages that result in new investments and partnerships.
- Supports departments in grant solicitation efforts and in the cultivation of relationships with external funders, working closely with Commissioners Court and County department staffs to bolster County initiatives.
- Secures funding opportunities for Harris County by identifying, qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting grants from private funders.
- Develops annual project plans and target metrics, including fundraising goals; monitors and reports results to OCA monthly and to Commissioners Court on a quarterly basis.
- Engages with other fundraising professionals; remains up-to-date with best practices in philanthropy.
- Ensures that all fundraising materials and communications with the public maintain the highest standards of transparency and honesty.

**Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer**-
**Requirements**:
**Supporting Documents**:

- Cover Letter
- Updated Resume

**Education and Experience**:

- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Experience in business development, cultivating philanthropic partnerships, identifying, and qualifying grant opportunities, or donor cultivation and stewardship.
- Experience in strategic planning, goal-setting, KPI tracking, and performance management.
- Background in philanthropy, business development, advancement, fundraising, grant writing, grants management, or related fields.

**Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities**:

- Demonstrated commitment to and track record of advancing equity, justice, diversity, and opportunity in operations and public policy design.
- Familiarity with best practices in philanthropy and donor cultivation and stewardship.
- Ability to develop relationships with funders and partners.
- Interest in public policy; understanding of local government and ability to discern strategic priorities.
- Ability to prioritize assignments to meet Commissioners Court and managerial directives in a timely manner.
- Ability to establish positive relationships, maintain the highest standard of professional and personal ethics and behavior, and accept and provide supervision.
- Ability to drive organizational culture and contribute to a high-performing team.
- Ability to provide counsel to, interface with, and obtain feedback from a diverse range of stakeholders, including at the leadership level.
- Ability to continuously learn about all County operations and Commissioners Court’s goals and objectives to ensure the department is providing the appropriate service support to other County departments and offices.
- Ability to work amidst ambiguity with a high level of emotional intelligence, curiosity, integrity, ethics, and transparency.
- Highly skilled in oral and written communication, with excellent ability to prepare memos, poli