Associate Director of Individual Giving

Position Summary
The Middle East Institute (MEI) seeks for a results-driven and entrepreneurial professional to fill the role of Associate Director of Individual Giving.

Culturally aware, intellectually curious, and possessing a talent for building meaningful connections, the incoming Associate Director will implement and lead strategies to strengthen and expand MEI's philanthropic capacity. This role is vital in cultivating and deepening relationships with high-net-worth individuals and family foundations who are passionate about supporting MEI's mission of enhancing understanding between the people of the Middle East and the United States.

Key Responsibilities

The Associate Director of Individual Giving will propel impact and strategy through strategic fundraising that enables many types of funders and donors to value and join in advancing MEI's programs. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the new Associate Director will develop and nurture strong relationships with donors to ensure a deep understanding of MEI's programs and the complexity and beauty of the middle east.

• High-Net-Worth Engagement: Identify, approach, cultivate, and engage high-net-worth individuals whose interests align with MEI's mission and values. The portfolio of donors managed by the Associate Director of Individual Giving will be a mix of current and lapsed donors, as well as individuals who have no previous relationship with MEI.
• Relationship Building: Develop and nurture strong relationships with existing and potential donors, ensuring a deep understanding of their philanthropic goals and interests.
• Communication: Effectively communicate the impact and value of MEI's initiatives to high-net-worth individuals, demonstrating the meaningful contributions they can make.
• Customized Proposals: Collaborate with programmatic and leadership teams to create personalized and compelling proposals tailored to the interests and preferences of individual donors that secure their major gifts ($30,000 and above level).
• Events: Inform and coordinate with donors about upcoming events, delegations to the region, and their sponsorship opportunities
• Stewardship: Implement stewardship programs to recognize and appreciate donors, keeping them informed about the outcomes of their contributions.
• Fundraising Campaigns: Contribute to the development and execution of strategic fundraising campaigns targeting high-net-worth individuals, with a focus on achieving the department's overall revenue goals.
• Data Management: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of donor interactions, ensuring the effective use of donor management systems (Salesforce).
• Perform other duties as assigned or required.

Qualifications

The Associate Director of Individual Giving will bring to MEI's entrepreneurial and dynamic team the following ways of working:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in investor relations, fundraising, event planning, or a similar role.
• Strong understanding of high-net-worth philanthropy and the ability to navigate the nuances of cultivating relationships with this demographic.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Results-oriented mindset with a track record of meeting or exceeding fundraising targets.
• An understanding of the Middle East region and its nuances.

Ideal candidates will bring:

• Demonstrated skill in communicating professionally and effectively with different cultural leaders at all levels to respond to needs, determine priorities, and manage expectations.
• Ability to delegate authority combined with willingness to work in a "hands-on" manner and as part of a team. A track record of developing and executing creative and effective fundraising strategies that result in achieving fundraising goals.
• Deep knowledge of and experience with how philanthropy works and how individual donors, family offices and foundations, and institutional philanthropy can be influenced and stewarded.
• A track record of attracting, engaging, and sustaining funders from across a range of philanthropic types, issue areas, and ideological perspectives.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex power dynamics and generate mutuality and respect among funders, grantees, and field partners.
• Strong project and stakeholder management skills across internal and external stakeholders including supporting leaders of organizations in meeting their strategic and developmental goals.
• Solid research and analytical skills, and the ability to cull and synthesize information from large bodies of knowledge and complex concepts, and draft brief summaries, analyses, and recommendations.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for the Associate Director of Individual Giving is $80,000 - $110,000. MEI offers a competitive benefits package. The potential for travel is high as it aligns with convenings and donor accessibility, but also shared through team coverage and negotiable with the Chief Development Officer.

Disclaimer:
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, or skills required. Duties may be subject to change based on organizational needs.