Head of Philanthropy

About the role

We’re seeking a Head of Philanthropy excited to supercharge our individual giving capabilities by building and shaping a strategy, team, and operational plan to grow high net worth and major donor giving. You are passionate about enabling high-impact, cost-effective programs to save lives and reduce global poverty.  You recognize that new funding drives outsized impact, and deeply enjoy deploying creative approaches to learn about and engage donors in our work.  You’ll manage a large portfolio of high value donors and external stakeholders, and thoughtfully deploy senior leadership including our CEO and Chief Engagement Officer to broaden and deepen donor relationships. You’ll also expand a high-caliber team responsible for individual fundraising, inclusive of retail giving and development operations. This role reports directly to the Chief Engagement Officer and supervises donor engagement and development operations staff.

About the External Relations team

The External Relations team leads fundraising and communications, positioning Evidence Action to donors, partners, governments, and media. We develop and execute strategic approaches to strengthen our resource mobilization and brand; prospect and secure grants and donations from a variety of institutional and individual donors and donor networks; and coordinate internally to create and take advantage of opportunities for funding and dissemination of our impact. Our team works across multiple time zones, so a candidate with a willingness to work asynchronously and iterate quickly is advantageous. We value collaboration,  foster accountability, encourage constructive feedback, and provide growth opportunities - all while innovating and adapting to maximize our contribution to impact.

This role will either be hybrid in our DC office location, or can be remote for the right candidate.

Key Responsibilities:

• Help develop and execute a strategy to grow our individual giving portfolio, with a focus on high net worth and major donors.  
• Lead the identification, cultivation, and stewardship of a large portfolio of high-value donors, including conversion of six and seven figure gifts.
• Be a passionate advocate for Evidence Action’s mission and approach, able to convert potential donors and partners into committed supporters.
• Leverage executive and program leadership for outsized value opportunities in donor cultivation and stewardship, by providing strategic and customized support.
• Build efficient and cost-effective development operations, including the processes necessary for high-quality, scalable donor portfolio management.
• Manage and develop team, including assessing personnel and recruitment needs.
• Define and achieve data-driven, ambitious fundraising targets.
• Create tailored plans and meaningful touchpoints to creatively communicate Evidence Action’s work and impact while speaking to donor’s specific interests.
• Create and deliver compelling content for external audiences.

Requirements

• You have 15+ years of experience, with 5+ years in fundraising and/or resource mobilization.
• You have experience initiating and managing relationships with prospective high-value donors and donor-focused institutions, with a successful track record in solicitation of 6 and 7 figure gifts.

• You enjoy building collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• You are experienced in developing and delivering compelling written and verbal materials and presentations.
• You are inquisitive, care about donor passions/motivations, and have a passion for the "close" (persistence in converting prospects into donors).
• You have experience leading teams in a growth-oriented role, with 5+ years supervising direct reports.
• You enjoy managing complex projects through their life cycles, and can independently assess decisions regarding priorities and deadlines.
• You can iterate in real time, employ data for decision making, and innovate and pivot to find success.
• You are willing to travel required up to 30% of the time to US and international locations for donor meetings/conferences.

About Evidence Action

Evidence Action is a global nonprofit organization with an approach distinctive in international development - we exclusively scale interventions that are backed by strong evidence and can be delivered with exceptional cost-effectiveness. Our programs have grown since our founding in 2013 to reach over 515 million people globally with our interventions. We deliver high impact for every dollar spent, as recognized by GiveWell, The Life You Can Save, and Charity Navigator.

We do development differently. We take a data-driven approach to identifying, scaling, and continuously improving programs which deliver immense impact, ensuring these solutions measurably improve the lives of millions. Our Deworm the World Initiative has helped governments in Africa and Asia deliver over 1.8 billion childhood deworming treatments, improving health, education, and incomes. Dispensers for Safe Water provides sustained safe water access to over 10 million people in rural Africa, preventing childhood illness and deaths. 

We drive innovation: Our Accelerator builds the next generation of exceptional programs, taking an approach most similar to a venture capital model. We are ruthless in exiting programs which do not meet our criteria; those that advance deliver outsized impact for millions of people. 

We are global. Across  nine countries in Africa and Asia, our 700+ people are united by a tremendous passion for our mission and impact. We are strong because of our diversity of experience, geography, and background - with over 90% of our people in the countries where our impact is focused. 

We have big ambitions. Over the next decade, we’re setting our sights higher: We aim to reach over 600 million people globally to fulfill our vision of a world where hundreds of millions of people in the poorest places have better opportunities and their lives are measurably improved. We believe in bold and urgent action - because poverty doesn’t wait, and neither should we. 

We need great people. Our success to date is due to the collective work of our amazing staff. To achieve our ambitious goals, we are looking for people who share our passion for evidence, cost-effectiveness, and scale. We seek individuals who take an entrepreneurial approach, enjoy tackling hard problems, and have a bias to action and results. If our vision and approach excite you as much as it does us, we invite you to join us.  

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. for role to be based in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of a U.S. employment visa at this time.

Evidence Action is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to diversity. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

Evidence Action provides a comprehensive benefits package for employees worldwide. Benefits include:

• comprehensive health insurance,
• retirement savings options,
• life insurance, 
• generous leave, 
• avenues for engagement and recognition.

*Benefits may differ based on country-specific regulations