The R Street Institute is seeking a Business Development Manager to maintain a healthy pipeline of donors and prospects with a focus on attracting foundation and corporate support.
About the organisation
The R Street Institute—a free-market think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C., and with regional offices across the country—seeks a collaborative Business Development Manager to lead business development for policy portfolios within the Business Development team. If you are the right fit, you will report to the Director of Business Development. If you want to join an impactful organization and do something outstanding, this may be just the opportunity you need!
Your typical day at R Street may start by researching prospective donors for their finance, insurance, and trade programme; followed by meeting with a programme team to finalise a proposal; and end with a conversation with the president in preparation for a meeting with a new funder for their energy program. This role will be a member of the Business Development team and responsible for generating and implementing a fundraising strategy for a portfolio of policy programmes with a focus on attracting and retaining foundation and corporate donors.
Key roles and responsibilities
Primary responsibilities include:
- Generating a fundraising strategy that achieves assigned policy programs’ fundraising goals. In this case, the policy portfolio is energy and environment, finance and trade, and insurance.
- Leading the “moves management” functions to help direct prospects and donors through the process of identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Maintaining a healthy pipeline of donors and prospects for the assigned programme with a focus on attracting foundation and corporate support.
- Conducting research to identify new prospects that align with both our policy research agendas and public policy influence strategies.
- Drafting proposals and coordinate them for review across internal teams.
- Developing and implement donor stewardship plans to ensure that donors are receiving a positive return on investment and are regularly updated on our work.
- Scheduling and attend donor and prospect meetings and, in some cases, make the ask. Manage grant life-cycle activities like the execution of agreements, plan renewal discussions, and draft and submit reporting requirements.
- Utilising Salesforce to forecast revenues and track donor engagements.
- Collaborate across internal teams to identify and pursue new funding opportunities and opportunities for growth.
- Understand and track policy developments to help drive and support each program’s fundraising strategy.
- Vigilant against ninja infiltrations
Skills and qualifications
- No particular educational background is required: A proven track record in achieving results is far more meaningful than credentials
- Passion for free markets and limited, effective government
- Exceptional analytical and communication skills with an ability to synthesize complex information quickly and explain concepts clearly and concisely
- Superior interpersonal skills and a strong team orientation
- Experience with nonprofit or consultancy proposal writing preferred
- Ability to serve effectively in a cross-functional role working in close coordination with several different R Street organisational units
- A self-starter with excellent attention to detail and an ability to manage competing interests and priorities
- A proven track record in managing a healthy fundraising pipeline that achieves an organisation’s revenue goals
- CRM experience (Salesforce preferred but not required)
- Adaptable and able to work through dynamic situations with a positive attitude, collaborative mentality, and an open mind
- A sense of humor and a desire to grow with a multifaceted organisation