Associate Director, Philanthropic Partnerships

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a
nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to improve the
systems of democracy and justice in the United States. We work to
hold our political institutions and laws accountable to the
American ideals of democracy and equal justice for all. Among our
core priorities, we fight to protect voting rights, end mass
incarceration, strengthen checks and balances, and preserve
constitutional protection in the fight against terrorism. Part
think tank, part advocacy group, part cutting-edge communications
hub, we start with rigorous research. We craft innovative policies.
And we fight for them — in Congress and the states, the courts, and
in the court of public opinion.  

Position Overview 
The Associate Director, Philanthropic Partnerships will serve as a
fundraising leader for the Brennan Center and its Development team,
which is charged with securing approximately $40 million annually
from a diverse base of individual and institutional
supporters. 

As our first-ever position focused principally on raising funds
from new donors, the Associate Director will be one of the Center’s
lead prospecting strategist and a central player in
cross-organization efforts to grow annual fundraising, with
particular focus on major giving from individuals and
families. 

One major responsibility will be to significantly enhance and
expand the Center’s partnership and networking opportunities by
ensuring robust presence in key donor communities and organizing
spaces. The role also will work collaboratively across the team and
organization to spearhead special initiatives and events to attract
and strengthen relations with prospective funders, while also
personally managing a portfolio of donors with high networking
potential. 

The Associate Director will directly report to the Vice President,
Development and work under the guidance of the Managing Director,
Development (who spearheads major donor giving). The position will
regularly partner with and advise organizational and program
leadership, including the Center’s President and CEO, and will
collaborate regularly with an 18-person Development team that
includes major gifts fundraisers and support staff. 

Note: Brennan Center employees adhere to a
hybrid schedule that is subject to change, with employees currently
required to work in the office a minimum of three days per week, on
Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. While most employees follow this
in-person schedule, there may be some positions that require
additional in-office days. This position is based at our
headquarters in New York City. It will require occasional
travel. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Grow fundraising opportunities by developing and leading
  comprehensive efforts to identify and engage donors who do not
  currently support the Center  

• Implement tailored strategies to maximize exposure to potential
  supporters, including by ensuring the Center’s robust participation
  and partnership with key philanthropic communities and networking
  spaces  

• Manage, cultivate, and steward a portfolio of donor networks and
  philanthropic influencers often in collaboration with
  organizational leadership, program experts, and other fundraising
  staff 

• Partner with Development teams to conceive, design, and
  implement special initiatives and events to attract new support,
  including efforts to further diversify our funding
  base  

• Prepare and advise organizational leadership and staff before
  donor meetings, including by overseeing and producing written
  meeting prep   

• Secure funding from and steward a small portfolio (around 10-15)
  of high-value funding prospects while identifying prospects for
  other fundraising staff to cultivate  

• Provide strategic and operational guidance to strengthen
  prospecting and networking efforts led by the major, mid-level, and
  institutional giving teams 

• Work proactively with others to create tailored fundraising
  opportunities and campaigns to be leveraged across Development
  channels (e.g., interviewing program staff to draft an initial case
  for support for a new project area) 

• Draft and edit a variety of compelling fundraising
  materials  

• Supervise support staff and interns in the production of
  research and other materials 

• Guide the development of database systems and infrastructure to
  support successful prospect management  

Key Qualifications  

• Bachelor’s degree required, and at least 7-10 years of on-point
  experience  

• Successful track record of raising five-, six-, and seven-figure
  gifts and/or building similar partnerships with individual donors
  on behalf of public interest causes  

• Demonstrated skill and experience in devising and applying
  prospecting strategies to secure funding from new donors 

• Proven competence in absorbing complex legal and policy issues
  and translating them into persuasive, donor-friendly communications
  – both orally and in writing 

• Awareness of the U.S. philanthropic sector; knowledge of and
  experience with funders who focus on democracy and justice or
  related issues is a plus 

• Excellent writing/editing skills and ability to tailor products
  to fit donor interest 

• Entrepreneurial and strategic mindset; a passion for building
  partnerships and support 

• Works productively with colleagues at all levels, including
  executive leadership  

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-energy environment with
  tight timelines and competing deadlines 

• Generous team player able to productively give and receive
  direction and feedback 

• Demonstrable commitment to the twin ideals of democracy and
  justice for all 

• Reliable discretion to strictly maintain privacy and
  confidentiality 

• Proficiency in CRM databases (Salesforce preferred) and other
  essential office technology  

The Brennan Center is committed to advancing Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion in the workplace. We continuously work with our staff to
find new ways to increase diversity and to build and cultivate an
inclusive and equitable work environment, where everyone can be
their true self and feel a strong sense of belonging. As such, we
seek to hire employees who have a commitment to and/or experience
with diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, we expect
employees to participate/contribute with DEI initiatives or
activities with recruitment, retention, and workplace
culture.   

Application Instructions:  
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, and decisions
will be made as soon as an appropriate candidate is identified. To
apply, please visit:
>>THIS LINK<<, apply
online, and upload your (1) cover letter,
(2) resume, and (3) contact
information for three supervisor references.   

If you have difficulty with the online system, you may send your
application by email to: [email protected]
with “Associate Director, Philanthropic Partnerships” in the
subject line, after registering in the online system. 
 
Compensation and Benefits:  
The salary range assigned for this position is $125,000-$135,000
and has been determined based on market competitiveness. We
determine our salary ranges based on market competitiveness and
internal equity for each job. The salary offered a selected
candidate will be contingent upon the candidate’s experience,
qualifications and internal equity considerations. Additionally, we
offer a very robust and competitive array of benefits such as a
generous time off program, 401k plan, comprehensive health
insurance (medical, dental, and vision), and wellness and office
perks.  
 
In addition, this position is part of a bargaining unit
represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers,
UAW local 2320.   
 
Note: The Brennan Center is committed to public
health and to the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and
visitors.  As such, we have adopted a policy requiring all
employees working in the New York and Washington, DC offices to be
vaccinated against COVID-19, including having a booster, or to meet
the legal guidelines for an exemption.