Director of Development

ORGANIZATIONAL DESCRIPTION

The American Philosophical Society, founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1743 and, today, the oldest and most distinguished learned society in the United States, seeks an entrepreneurial, ambitious, and results-driven Director of Development to help usher the Society into its next chapter. The successful candidate will be joining the Society at an exciting time. The Society is on the cusp of launching its first campaign in almost two decades, and it is looking for the right person to lead a successful campaign and expand the Society’s fundraising abilities. The new Director of Development will play a key role in positioning the Society for the future and their work will be vital to securing the success of the APS.

Today, the American Philosophical Society is a dynamic and multifaceted research institution with a mission of “promoting useful knowledge.” (It should be noted that “Philosophy” in the eighteenth century meant inquiry, and the Society today embraces its motto of nullo discrimine (“without distinction”) by supporting the advancement of knowledge in all fields of knowledge through several program areas.) The Society is led by dynamic, new leadership that honors its venerable history while finding ways to increase its impact in the modern world:

• Research: The Society plays an important role in providing independent research support to the brightest young minds —particularly important in a time when research dollars are scarcer. Its international grants and fellowship program funds over 300 scholars a year and supports research projects on all seven continents and in virtually all disciplines.
• Unique Collections and Resources: With over 14 million pages of manuscripts, including the papers of Benjamin Franklin, the journals of Lewis and Clark, and seven Nobel Laureates, its Library is home to one of the most distinguished research collections in the United States. The Library houses four research centers and supports a museum next to Independence Hall that regularly receives 100,000 visitors from around the country.
• The APS Press, the oldest continuously operating imprint in North America, produces a series of thought-provoking books and journals every year.
• Convening Conversations: At the heart of the Society sits its many convenings of thought leaders who share cutting edge research in all fields of knowledge, a tradition that dates to the Society’s founding.
• A Home to Pathbreakers: As a learned society, the APS is guided and governed by its elected membership, which includes approximately 1,000 individuals who were elected because of their significant contributions to the advancement of knowledge. It is considered the most distinguished learned society in the United States. Seventeen presidents, dozens of Pulitzer Prize winners, Academy Award winners, Supreme Court justices, governors, and nearly 100 Nobel Laureates have been elected to Membership.

Collectively, the Society’s work and culture embody “the life of the mind.”

The Society is based on Independence National Historic Park in Philadelphia, PA.

To learn more, please visit: www.amphilsoc.org

Office of Development

The current development operation at the APS currently consists of three staff members: the Director, a Director of the Friends program, and a departmental assistant. The Society anticipates adding staff to the department to meet the institution’s needs and would expect the new Director of Development to make staffing recommendations. The department raises between $3-5 million annually from individual and institutional sources for operational, restricted, and capital purposes. The Annual Fund accounts for approximately $1.4 million per year. As part of a general effort to increase philanthropic giving to the Society, as well as part of the campaign, the Society expects to dramatically increase annual giving, as well as develop a more robust planned giving and major gifts program. The new Director will, therefore, be expected to develop new strategies to increase philanthropic engagement of Members, Friends, organizations and other constituents.

The successful candidate must have a demonstrated record of fundraising achievement and staff management. Recent experience in a capital campaign, either at a senior level or as a director, is preferred. The successful candidate should embrace the scholarly spirit that defines the Society and the ideal of a learned society, an organization formed to bring leading thinkers together to share knowledge and one that is largely governed by these members. The Director of Development must be comfortable working closely with preeminent scholars and civic leaders. The successful candidate will report to the CEO and will be a member of the senior management team. The Director of Development also serves as the staff liaison to the Society’s Development Committee (a standing committee composed of distinguished APS Members), the Campaign Committee, the APS Friends Committee, and other development-related auxiliary bodies.

Interested candidates are encouraged to reach out to the Society’s CEO Patrick Spero (email mromney@amphilsoc.org) to learn more about the opportunity, the Society’s current operations, and its future goals.

Job Responsibilities and Expectations:

Chief Responsibilities

• Plan, implement, and execute a successful national capital campaign. This includes frontline fundraising as well as managing the cultivation and solicitation of donors to be conducted by the President, CEO, APS Members and Friends, volunteers, and staff, and liaising with campaign counsel.
• Lead a department of two, and its expansion for the campaign to sustain increased giving over the long-term.
  • Identify and manage changes to current development operations and systems as may be needed
  • Establish and sustain standards and practices for development operations, including database administration, Gift Policies, budgeting
  • Ensure the APS’s development operations are utilizing the proper tools and systems to support their work
• Plan and implement strategies to increase engagement and philanthropic giving among APS Members (including major gifts and planned giving programs) and other key constituencies.
• Expand and enhance the APS Annual Fund (Members Fund and Friends of the APS) and other current and regular fundraising activities. Grow and expand the APS Friends program, an auxiliary group currently composed primarily of former fellows and local Philadelphians whose contributions provide approximately 30% of the annual fund.
• Manage and work with development-related advisory bodies, such as the Development Committee, APS Friends Committee, and the Campaign Committee.
• Work closely with all APS departments to understand their funding needs and provide support for them, including identifying possible donors or foundation support.
• With the support of development and other senior staff, identify, write, and secure grants and pursue other organizational support that provides operational, restricted, and capital support for the Society.
• Oversee the preparation of fundraising support materials including e-communications, the Donor Report, fundraising brochures, and maintain development pages on the Society’s website.
• Foster a culture of philanthropy within the Society

This is a full-time position with benefits. The Society offers a competitive benefits package, including health insurance, dental, life insurance, long term disability, 403b with the employer match, and paid days off.

Salary: Minimum $150,000+ This represents the salary minimum. The Society is committed to hiring the most qualified candidate and is seeking candidates with exceptional experience and accomplishments. The final salary will be determined based on the candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications.

Job Requirements and Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) required.

Experience:

• A record of success in institutional fundraising, including especially major gifts
• Recent experience in a capital campaign at a non-profit organization preferred
• Demonstrated record of securing major gifts from individuals and/or institutions; familiarity with planned giving and annual funds
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including experience with proposal development and stewardship outreach
• Experience in developing and implementing development strategies for a non-profit or similar organization
• Experience in volunteer management
• Preference for several years of increasingly responsible experience, ideally 10+ years, in development and/or a closely related field, but less experience will be seriously considered if the candidate has demonstrated significant fundraising accomplishments and ability to lead a campaign
• Experience working with various development and other database systems (the Society relies on Salesforce) and the ability to learn and manage the potential adoption of new systems

Skills and Attributes:

• Entrepreneurial mindset with strong organizational and project management abilities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team Interest in and familiarity with nonprofit organizations
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively and work on the evenings and weekends Environmental/

Physical Capabilities

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This position operates in a professional office environment within the organization. The role frequently interacts with members in person, requiring extended periods of standing, often for multiple hours at a time. The role may also involve occasional walking, light lifting, traveling, and repetitive motions such as typing or using office equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Institutional requirements: Background check required after a conditional job offer is made.

Application Process

This institution is using Interfolio's Faculty Search to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation, free of charge. https://apply.interfolio.com/179918

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The American Philosophical Society is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment on any basis including race, creed, color, age, sex, gender, religion or national origin. The APS values diversity and inclusion and encourages diverse applicants to apply. Successful applicants will be asked to show proof that they can legally work in the U.S.