Director of Business Development

Position Summary

The Director of Business Development reports directly to the Chief Operations Officer (COO) and works collaboratively with the Executive Team and all Institute programs to advance the mission and long-term sustainability of the National Institute of Minority Economic Development (Institute).

The Director of Business Development creates, oversees, and implements a strategic approach to fundraising and resource development, which includes but is not limited to corporate and private foundation grant solicitation, federal and state grants and contracts, shared resource partnerships, and low-interest loans or capital investment from the public and private sector.   The Director of Business Development is responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders, monitoring funding trends, and ensuring the Institute remains well-positioned to pursue innovative opportunities that advance economic development for diverse communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Executive Team and senior staff to create and implement a fundraising strategy that prioritizes operational and programmatic growth needs of the organization, the Board-approved Strategic Plan(s) goals, and with consideration of new program opportunities and initiatives as they arise. 
• Lead a strategic and diversified approach to development and operational stability, including corporate foundations, private philanthropy, federal and state agency grant-making, multi-year contracts and partnerships, as well as future planning through endowments or other long-range funds. 
• Coordinate donor and investor meetings, site visits, and ongoing stewardship with Institute and/or ICAP leaders, and staff as may be relevant. 
• Maintain a comprehensive and responsive reporting and stewardship process for all donors and investors, advising and mobilizing staff to track and provide relevant data and performance indicators. 
• Work with the Communications Team to assess, review, and prepare marketing and communications activities that support donor, investor and stakeholder outreach, in collaboration with Institute programs and affiliates. 
• Coordinate efforts with the Communications Team to ensure proper integration of funder and investor contact lists with overall organizational database and communications tools, such as email newsletters and social media follower invitations. 
• Monitor and evaluate all fundraising and capitalization activities to ensure that the fundraising goals are being achieved, including supporting individual program leadership in local relationship-building and funding opportunities as well as preparing regular reports for the Executive Team, Finance, Program Leadership and the Boards of Directors as requested. 
• Monitor trends in the community or region and adapt fundraising and capitalization strategies as necessary. 
• Participate in regular business and strategic planning activities. 
• Perform other related duties as needed. 

Qualifications & Experience

• Proven experience in business development with a successful track record of researching, cultivating, structuring, and stewarding diverse streams of funding, preferably within a non-profit organization.
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (Master’s Degree preferred).
• Minimum 5 years’ work experience with a non-profit agency with significant resource development responsibilities.
• Considerable knowledge of prospect research, relationship cultivation, and grant-writing and solicitation techniques.
• Ability to organize and coordinate fundraising operations with key staff and board members, including senior leadership and the policy team.
• Experience organizing, tracking and measuring donor contributions, data and measuring impact, effectiveness and return on investment.
• Program evaluation experience.
• Demonstrate experience raising funds and examples of positive outcomes.
• Proficiency with technology platforms, to include databases and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to balance the need to work independently with the need to work in partnership with senior staff on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Grant-writing/proposal development skills and abilities are a must.
• Strong organizational and planning skills, with ability to work under pressure and multiple deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate business development concepts into clear, actionable insights for leadership and staff.
• Familiarity with grant and donor fund accounting principles.
• Experience in Community Development (preferred).
• Experience with federal, state, local government and corporate foundation funding (preferred).

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to lead the business development strategy of a mission-driven organization, making a tangible impact on our community. If you are a dynamic, strategic, and hands-on business development leader passionate about non-profit finance and operational excellence, we invite you to apply.